The Texas Longhorns defense was one of the better defenses in the Big 12 last season. Even so, it had one fatal flaw, and it cost the team dearly in a loss against Texas Tech.
The Longhorns struggled particularly in allowing inside leverage routes. It didn’t appear the team did much to stop it. Last season Texas ranked No. 9 in the Big 12 conference in yards per snap (7.6) against the pass when opponents threw to an inside leverage route. Slant and sit routes against Texas Tech come to mind, although dig routes would certainly be included.
Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski might be conceding shorter routes against some offensive attacks to avoid allowing the explosive play. Even so, the adjustments for the defense will need to come on third and fourth down where the Longhorns were horrendous early last season.
The Longhorns defense allowed a 41.3% conversation rate on third down compared to its offense’s 38.8% third down conversion rate. The trend continued on fourth down where opponents converted 57.1% of their fourth down attempts. Comparatively, the Texas offense converted 54.6% of their fourth down tries.
Texas has to win third and fourth down, and certainly can’t lose each by just under 3%. Doing so is how the team lost five close games. The Longhorns will look to improve on money downs in 2023.
If there is one area for the Texas defense to improve, it is handling the inside leverage routes (i.e., dig, slant, quick, drag, etc.). Texas ranked 9th in the Big 12 last season in yards per coverage snap in pass coverage against targets running inside leverage (7.6).
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) August 30, 2023