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2023 Season Thread

BurntOrange&White

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 49332

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SIAP...

As Texas enters Big 12 play, the offense has to perform more consistently on first downs

The Longhorns have shown big-play ability - but is it sustainable for an entire season?

ERIC HENRY    Sep 19th, 2023

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AUSTIN, Texas – Ask any offensive coordinator what their favorite third-down play is and they’ll likely tell you it’s the third-down play that they don’t have to run, because the offense has either picked up a first-down or touchdown on an early down.

Through three games this season, Texas’ offense has faced 45 third-down situations and converted 17 of those attempts – good enough for a 37.8% conversion rate which lands them tied for 89th out of 130 FBS teams.

This in itself isn’t necessarily alarming for Steve Sarkisian’s offense, but it is very much a risky way to live considering the fact that the Longhorns have been far from consistent on early downs as well.

Against Wyoming, Texas had three false starts on 1st down which caused two of those drives to end in punts and another that began inside the Cowboys’ 40-yard-line – that the Longhorns had to settle for a field-goal after a three-and-out that opened with a missed pass on first down.

During his Monday press availability, Sarkisian spoke about the need to perform better early downs.

“We’re a better team when we’re really efficient on first down, which is probably true for every team in the nation,” said Sarkisian. “But for us, when we’re really good on first down, we can usually avoid third downs, we’re going first-to-second, first-to-second, first-to-second.”

While Texas has been nearly equal in their run-pass split, Sarkisian and offensive coordinator Kyle Flood have leaned more towards the pass on first down – with varying degrees of success.

Of the team’s 68 first-down plays that occurred with a score differential of 17 points or less, Texas has called 38 passes and 30 runs, averaging 5.5 yards per carry on the ground and 9.8 yards per pass through the air.

On the surface, those numbers appear to show an offense that’s been successful on first down. The issue is the amount of times they haven’t been – showing a lack of consistency that can’t continue for another nine weeks – if the offense is going to operate to its full potential.

Of the 68 plays, 26 of them have gained less than three yards – the number which is largely considered a success in keeping the offense on schedule. 15 passes have gone for zero yards, the aforementioned three false starts, one sack and 10 run plays went for less than three or negative yardage.

For Sarkisian, largely considered one of the top offensive minds in football and one who scripts out plays for the early part of games, the see-saw nature of his team’s success on first down has an impact on what the team has game-planned for on Saturdays.

“We need to be really efficient on early downs and when we do, that will help our offense create some momentum and we can really start sequencing plays in a way where our guys know what’s coming next,” said Sarkisian. “That’s why our base gameplan is so important to us and that our guys understand our openers.”

What’s keeping the offense alive through the first three contests are the chunk plays, which have largely come on first down. Texas has had eight first-down plays that have gone for 20-plus yards – with six of those drives ending in touchdowns. On the flip-side, all of Bert Auburn’s six made field goals have come on drives where the offense gained less than three yards on first down.

In layman’s terms, while the offense is showing big-play potential with weapons like Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell and JT Sanders for Quinn Ewers to throw to – even that assembly of talent can’t be expected to convert third-and-long situations – where Texas is 1-of-9 this season.

“Additionally, when you win on first down, it gives you much more manageable third downs to convert,” said Sarkisian. “When we get ourselves in trouble is when we put ourselves in third-and-long situations and right now, staying out of those situations isn’t quite a strength of ours.”

As the team enters Big 12 play where opponents will be more familiar with Texas' offense and its weapons, the chunk plays that taken the team to an 3-0 start may not be as readily available as they have been in non-conference play. As a result, having more consistent success on early downs will be needed in order for the offense have greater chances at success when third downs arise. 

 

https://247sports.com/college/texas/article/texas-longhorns-football-steve-sarkisian-kyle-flood-quinn-ewers-xavier-worthy-ad-mitchell-216464006/

 

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 49332

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On 9/22/2023 at 10:00 AM, LTtxfan said:

I'm sure this pisses off "Left Behind B12" 😋

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/big12/2023/09/22/texas-oklahoma-big-12-sec-espn-role-realignment/70910157007/

 

 

If accurate, this article does a better job explaining how Texas/blOU exits were financed

"Texas, Oklahoma to leave Big 12 for free"

The Big 12 and its departing schools worked out a way for Texas and Oklahoma's exits to cost $100 million and nothing at all... at the same time.

 

https://footballscoop.com/news/texas-oklahoma-to-leave-big-12-for-free

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