Key statistical categories where Texas needs to improve... and fast
The expectations for this talented 2025 squad are understandably at a national championship level. However, so far Texas has looked sloppy in some key areas.
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We will start with the one that ticks coaches off the most, penalties. In the first game of the season, Texas committed few penalties. It was probably a normal game penalty-wise, but the problem was when the penalties came. Specifically, 30 yards of penalties that extended what wound up being a Buckeyes scoring drive.
If the coaches made a point to get rid of the penalties in practice, that emphasis didn’t resonate with the team ahead of San Jose State. Texas committed 12 penalties for 115 yards. Just not clean football at all, and Steve Sarkisian didn’t seem pleased speaking to the media after.
“My foot’s got to get in their butts here on Monday morning, that’s unacceptable,” Sarkisian said.
When looking at the national ranks, Texas is understandably near the bottom in terms of Penalties/Game and Penalty Yards/Game. Teams in this part of the leaderboard are typically thought of as undisciplined. That’s not something associated with national championship contenders and needs to change.
That takes us to another area where Texas has been putrid, third downs. Good teams convert on third down. It was understandable that a defense like Ohio State’s could limit third down success for Texas. That shouldn’t apply for San Jose State.
A big issue here is Texas is putting itself in third and long scenarios too often. The penalties have not helped. Whether the penalty came on first, second, or third down, it moves the team back all the same. Often those yards are the difference between a first down on first or second down, or turning a third and short into a third and long.
BREAKING: Texas hasn’t been good on third and long.
The only third and long conversion for Texas was the Arch Manning to Parker Livingstone scoring connection versus Ohio State. Being 1-of-18 on third and long is not ideal, but it goes beyond getting a first down with only 33% of attempts gaining yards.
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BREAKING: Texas is good on third and short.
Staying out of third and long situations is key. If we were to carry the 50% conversion rate on third and short to all third downs, Texas would be in the top 25 for third down success.
While Texas sits No. 128 in the red zone, the Longhorns had a much better game against SJSU, scoring on 3-of-4 trips. The one attempt that didn’t convert was when Manning threw an interception late in the first half.
One of the more confusing struggles is the lack of 10+ yard plays. Sitting at No. 93 with 23 10+ yard plays (11.5/game), Texas has taken a major leap in the wrong direction. Both 2023 and 2024 saw Texas finish as the No. 4 ranked team in 10+ yard plays. In 2023, Texas saw 17.4/game. 2024? 15.3/game.
Hopefully with Manning settling into the starting role, there’s a rebound back to the previous CFP-level offenses.
If Texas can improve in these areas to near the top of the league, fans will see a team power through the 2025 schedule. If these categories stay near the bottom of the FBS barrel, Texas will need some luck and tremendous clutch plays to meet their championship goals.
