Texas was second in the country in quarterback pressures
Yet another data point for UT’s improved defense this season was increased pressure on the quarterback. It didn’t always register because Texas didn’t convert enough of those pressures into sacks, turnovers, or getting off the field on money downs (at least earlier in the year). But Texas did apply a lot of pressure to the quarterback this season, often from an honest front.
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PFF’s numbers are not gospel, but they do provide some directional value. This season it seemed they were counting a lot of pressures in UT’s favor that wasn’t always evident on the field. Upon seeing the above tweet I thought to myself I bet Texas had the least amount of sacks of that group. That guess was close.
| Team | Pressure | Sacks | Conversion rate |
| Clemson | 287 | 40 | 13.94 |
| Texas | 277 | 27 | 9.74 |
| Pittsburgh | 272 | 45 | 16.54 |
| Penn State | 268 | 37 | 13.80 |
| Houston | 256 | 30 | 11.71 |
| Utah | 253 | 38 | 15.01 |
| N.C. State | 248 | 24 | 9.67 |
| Washington | 243 | 35 | 14.40 |
| Bowling Green | 241 | 37 | 15.35 |
| Coastal Carolina | 240 | 34 | 14.16 |
Assuming the numbers are correct, there are multiple potential reasons for the discrepancy between sacks and pressures for Texas.
One that stands out is a lot of UT’s pressure comes from the abundance of interior players. There’s a ton of value in that, but those players aren’t exactly known for the cheetah like closing speed you often see with edge players.
Another reason is Texas faced a lot of mobile quarterbacks: UL-M’s Chandler Rogers, Alabama’s Bryce Young, UTSA’s Frank Harris, Texas Tech’s Donovan Smith, Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders, Kansas State’s Adrian Martinez, and TCU’s Max Duggan.
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Third, for the most part the secondary help up well in coverage. This allows time for the defensive line to get into the back field but also time for the quarterback to get rid of the ball. The Baylor game really stood out in that regard.
Finally, Big 12 referees didn’t call holding on Texas opponents. It’s been said the referees only called two holding penalties against opposing offensive lines all season. I don’t care enough to verify that because it doesn’t change the fact Big 12 referees like Kevin Mar called different games than the one played in front of them. Being held is going to slow your path to the quarterback but not necessarily keep you from pressuring him.
Texas is going to return a lot of interior pressure next season, and Barryn Sorrell, the team’s sack leader with 5.5, will be a year better. But for Texas to really turn the corner (pun intended) the younger, twitchier talent at Buck and Jack need to develop and offer some of their considerable upside.
A portal addition with proven experience sacking the quarterback would also be great, but finding that player is easier said than done.
