Statistically Speaking: A first look at Texas

Texas is 7-2, but the numbers tell a pretty interesting story about how the Longhorns got there. Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense has struggled to find consistency, particularly on the ground, while the defense has been among the nation’s best. As LSU prepares to host Texas in Tiger Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, here’s a look at where the Longhorns rank nationally and what the numbers tell us about Saturday’s matchup.

Green: Top 25

Red: Bottom 50

OFFENSE

Scoring Offense: 48^th, 31.1 ppg

Total Offense: 89^th, 360.7 ypg

Yards per play: 98^th, 5.5 ypp

Rushing Offense: 108^th, 129.3 ypg

Yards per carry: 122nd, 3.5 ypc

Rushing Attempts per game: 53^rd, 36.6 apg

Rushing Touchdowns: 83^rd, 13

Passing Offense: 66^th, 231.9 ypg

Passing Attempts per game: 83^rd, 29.3 apg

Passing yards per attempt: 43^rd, 7.9 ypa

Completion Percentage: 30^th, 66.7%

Passing Touchdowns: 35^th, 18

Interceptions Thrown: 70^th, 7

First Downs: 82^nd, 19.8 per game

Third Down Conversions: 69^th, 40.3%

Fourth Down Conversion attempts: 110^th, 12

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 54^th, 64.7%

20-plus yard plays: 97^th, 13

10-plus yard runs: 68^th, 42

20-plus yard passes: 80^th, 27

Sacks Allowed: 124^th, 3 per game

Tackles For Loss Allowed: 135^th, 7.9 per game

Time of Possession: 66th, 30:18 per game

This has been a surprisingly bad offense. The Longhorns have been awful on the ground and very pedestrian in the passing game. Negative plays have been a huge issue, and there haven’t been many explosive plays.

Considering the talent of Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, the lack of explosives is surprising.

That said, Texas scored 34 on Ole Miss, 31 at State and 34 more at Mizzou. Steve Sarkisian has his team 7-2 with Arkansas and Texas A&M coming after this trip to Tiger Stadium.

DEFENSE

Scoring Defense: 19^th, 17.4 ppg

Total Defense: 10^th, 280.1 ypg

Yards per Play Allowed: 2^nd, 4.1 ypp

Run Defense: 17^th, 100.3 ypg

Yards per Carry Allowed: 12^th, 2.9 ypc

Rushing Touchdowns Allowed: 4^th, 4

Passing Defense: 19^th, 179.8 ypg

Completion Percentage Allowed: 27^th, 57.7%

Yards per Passing Attempt Allowed: 1^st, 5.4 ypa

Interceptions: 71^st, 6

Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 13^th, 8

Sacks: 13^th, 3 per game

Tackles for Loss: 13^th, 6.9 per game

Third Down Defense: 20^th, 31.7%

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage Allowed: 8^th, 39.1%

20-plus yard plays allowed: 4^th, 19

10-plus yard runs allowed: 21^st, 28

20-plus yard passes allowed: 5^th, 15

How do you get to 7-2 with a weak offense. Kick some ass defensively. That’s what Texas does.

Colin Simmons returned to action last week and should be available for the Longhorns on Saturday. He’s a game changer in every sense of the word. He, alone, had 5.5 sacks in the win over Tennessee. He’s got 10.5 despite missing some time.

It’s more than just Simmons, though. Texas plays great defense in the secondary and has fantastic situational stats as well.

It’s likely the best defense LSU will see this year. If not, the Tigers may find an even better one next week when they travel to Rocky Top.