Texas Football: Third Down Defense Key to 2016 Success
By Tyler Brett
Texas football is looking to turn things around in 2016. After back-to-back losing seasons, the Horns are at a tipping point for head coach Charlie Strong. If Texas wants to return to their winning ways, the key may be improving their third down defense.
Overall, the Texas defense left a lot to be desired in 2015. They ranked No. 7 in the Big 12 and No. 107 in the nation for total defense, allowing 452.6 yards per game. A significant portion of their struggles defensively can be traced to their inability to get off the field on third down. Last season, opponents converted third downs against the Horns at a rate of 44.21 percent. That ranked No. 7 in the conference and No. 105 in the nation.
At times, the Texas defense was downright horrendous on third downs. In their humbling 24-0 loss to Iowa State, the Cyclones converted 15 of 24 (62.5%) third down opportunities. Against Oklahoma State, they allowed the Pokes to convert on 9 of 17 (52.9%) and lost 30-27 on a last-minute field goal. During last year’s season opener in South Bend, Notre Dame converted 8 of 14 (57.1%) in their 38-3 rout.
Even in games the team won, the defense seemed to struggle early on. Against Rice, Texas allowed the Owls to convert 14 of 21 (66.7%) third-down opportunities. Kansas converted 9 of 20 (45.0%). This defense seemingly lacked the focus to end drives when they had opportunities and it killed them.
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But there were flashes in 2015. Texas held opponents to under 30% third-down conversion in three games last season and the team went 3-0. Oklahoma was held to just 3 of 12, Kansas State was 4 of 14, and Baylor managed just 4 of 16 third-down conversion. Not coincidentally, those were three of the best games Texas played last season.
So there’s hope for this team and reason to be optimistic heading into 2016. Not only are the key players from that 2015 defense back, like Malik Jefferson, but the team has added a loaded 2016 recruiting class with defensive difference makers. Five defensive tackles will be making their collegiate debut, headlined by Jordan Elliott, who will add talent and depth to one of the weaker position groups coming out of 2015.
Shuffling these new studs into the mix with seasoned veterans gives Texas incredible depth of talent across their defense, particularly up front. That should help the team hold up better on third downs as fatigue won’t play as much of a factor. Keeping their contributors fresh with a two-deep rotation of quality contributors is going to go a long ways in improving this team.
Additionally, the extra year helps some of the guys who made impacts as freshman make the transition into consistent leaders. For all the big plays that Jefferson made in 2015, defensive coordinator Vance Bedford is unafraid to point out the plays he missed. The key is to develop fundamentals and consistency. Bedford has been adamant that this defense won’t make the same mistakes they did in 2015 which will also help them get off the field on third down.
For Texas to turn the corner and start winning again, the defense has to make significant strides in 2016. They have the talent and now the depth to be a special group. How they fare on third downs should provide insight into just how good they’ll be and how far the Horns will go this fall.
Next: Texas vs Notre Dame: Week 1 Schedule, Preview, and Prediction