Comparative Analysis: Special Teams

[sushihorn 3233]

This is another under covered aspect of the Texas-Washington match up. 
 

Kickoffs: Both teams are right around 50% touchbacks. Will Stone gets 1.1 yards extra distance vs Washington’s Grady Gross. Texas has kicked 1 out of bounds and Washington 2. Texas covers KOs decently at 19.8 per return. Washington does it very well at 15.8 per. 

Texas has the more dangerous return team at 21.0 yards per attempt with a TD. Washington is close at 20.8 yards per return but has not scored. 

 

Punting: Washington’s punter, Jack McCallister averages 41.4 yards per punt, 39.5 net vs 45.5 and and 40.7 net for Ryan Sanborn. Both punters excel at pinning the opposing offens with 13 inside the 20 yard line vs 2 touchbacks for Sanborn and 11 i20 to 1 TB for McCallister. Both punter have been blocked once in 2023. 
 

Washington is excellent in punt coverage, while Texas may have the most dangerous return man in college football. The Horns have solid coverage at 6.2 yards per return. The Huskies have posted a truly impressive 1.8 yard average. UW sports 10.8 yards per punt return by committee with 1 TD. Texas replies with Xavier Worthy: a TD and 17.9 yard average. Washington punting to Worthy will be strength on strength.

 

Field Goal Kicking: looks like a big advantage for Texas. Washington has a decent kicker; Gross also handles KOs. He is 13 of 17, 76.5% accurate as a FG kicker. His longest was 47 yards and he has not attempted anything longer than that. 8 of 11 inside 40 yards is okay but would make me nervous as a coach. He has also been blocked once. 
 

Texas’ Bert Auburn is 28 of 34 or 82.4% accurate, despite 4 attempts from longer than 50 yards. He is nearly automatic inside of 40 at 17 of 18. Auburn has excellent range with a long of 54 yards and no blocked kicks. 
 

Overall: Texas has the advantage here - mainly on Auburn’s leg. The Longhorn advantage in the return game is cancelled out by Washington’s superior coverage teams. There is a moderate Texas edge at punter. Sanborn can uncork a big one to change field position. He has 13 punts of 50+ yards vs 4 for McCallister. Washington is a team that reached the CFP mainly due to coaching and they stand out in the team aspects of Special Teams play, just as I would expect. 

[TOR 5820]

[dec3169 504]

3 hours ago, sushihorn said:

Washington is a team that reached the CFP mainly due to coaching and they stand out in the team aspects of Special Teams play, just as I would expect. 

Excellent write-up.  One thing I didn't see though is penalties.  Any insight into penalties on returns (like holds or blocks in the back)?  It is probably not as useful to look at the Texas penalties here with the fuckery from the B12 refs, but it would be useful to know Washington's averages.  I feel like they bit us in the ass quite a few times this year.

[sushihorn 3233]

Washington is the 3rd most penalized team in FBS at 73.9 yards per game. Texas is average in penalties at 51.1 YPG. I’m surprised that a well coached team draws so many flags.

[FORTY NINE TO ZERO 2652]

9 hours ago, sushihorn said:

Washington is the 3rd most penalized team in FBS at 73.9 yards per game. Texas is average in penalties at 51.1 YPG. I’m surprised that a well coached team draws so many flags.

yeah i’m surprised to see this 

[troph 24914]

On 12/18/2023 at 2:05 PM, sushihorn said:

Washington is the 3rd most penalized team in FBS at 73.9 yards per game. Texas is average in penalties at 51.1 YPG. I’m surprised that a well coached team draws so many flags.

This could be a difference maker - not refs determining the game in a strict sense - but if stats hold true it could be a slight advantage. If any of it results in holding penalties against WA all the better. 

[TOR 5820]

Bert is our secret weapon.  We know he's good from 54 outdoors in the wind.  In the dome, in completely controlled conditions, he might just be deadly from 60 yards.  Or even longer.  That gives Sark all kinds of options once he crosses that 50 yard line.   

His game day suit needs to be on point.

[Doc Daneeka 6769]

The options need to involve not kicking field goals. 

[Bevo&Pevo 5229]

9 minutes ago, Doc Daneeka said:

The options need to involve not kicking field goals. 

^^^This is Plan A.  Plan B is Bert.

[Bevo&Pevo 5229]

QB just about his receiver killed.

[TOR 5820]

Just now, Bevo&Pevo said:

^^^This is Plan A.  Plan B is Bert.

Exactly.  No punts.  Score on every possession.  See them driven before us and hear the lamentation of their women.

[Sgt Hulk 13871]

Are these done on offense and defense too.  Great write up 

[Bevo&Pevo 5229]

3 minutes ago, Bevo&Pevo said:

QB just about his receiver killed.

nevermind..

[sushihorn 3233]

28 minutes ago, Sgt Hulk said:

Are these done on offense and defense too.  Great write up 

I focused on UW in the other write ups since I’m writing for Texas fans and figure that most of us know our own team::

UW Offensive Line

UW Defense