The quarterback sack is one of the most exciting plays in football, and it can often make or break the outcome of a drive.
Because it is such an important piece of the puzzle for SEC programs, we are tracking how each team is performing throughout the season.
We will take a look at both how good each team’s defense is at creating sacks, as well as how well each offensive line is at preventing them.
We’ll also take a look at some of the league’s top producers of sacks and tackles for loss.
Here is how things stack up after Week 10:
SACKS: RANKING EACH SEC DEFENSE
Alabama continues to dominate this category thanks to one of the best front sevens in the nation.
Missouri has started to slip in the sack rankings, but continues to hold the top spot in tackles for loss.
| TEAM | SACKS | SACK YARDS | TACKLES FOR LOSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Alabama | 29 | 170 | 60 |
| 2. Florida | 27 | 204 | 69 |
| 3. Texas A&M | 26 | 147 | 80 |
| T4. Mississippi State | 25 | 182 | 74 |
| T4. Missouri | 25 | 156 | 83 |
| T6. LSU | 21 | 153 | 49 |
| T6. Vanderbilt | 21 | 135 | 58 |
| 8. Ole Miss | 18 | 127 | 77 |
| 9. Tennessee | 17 | 94 | 52 |
| T10. South Carolina | 16 | 107 | 46 |
| T10. Georgia | 16 | 93 | 54 |
| T12. Auburn | 13 | 93 | 38 |
| T12. Kentucky | 13 | 87 | 37 |
| 14. Arkansas | 8 | 61 | 47 |
SACKED: ANALYZING HOW WELL EACH TEAM AVOIDS THE SACK
After sitting atop this list by itself for most of the season, the Arkansas offensive line must share the No. 1 spot with Georgia after the Bulldogs held serve against Kentucky in Week 10.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line also has the lowest amount of tackles for loss allowed.
One of the most alarming numbers on this chart is Alabama’s 70 tackles for loss allowed, which is the worst number in the league in spite of being one of the best teams in the country.
| TEAM | SACKS ALLOWED | SACK YARDS ALLOWED | TACKLES FOR LOSS ALLOWED |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1. Georgia | 9 | 51 | 30 |
| T1. Arkansas | 9 | 64 | 35 |
| 3. LSU | 10 | 76 | 43 |
| 4. Mississippi State | 13 | 91 | 45 |
| 5. Auburn | 14 | 98 | 49 |
| T6. Alabama | 16 | 126 | 70 |
| T6. Ole Miss | 16 | 127 | 54 |
| 8. South Carolina | 18 | 114 | 49 |
| 9. Tennessee | 19 | 143 | 64 |
| 10. Vanderbilt | 20 | 126 | 56 |
| T11. Kentucky | 23 | 154 | 58 |
| T11. Texas A&M | 23 | 158 | 50 |
| T13. Florida | 25 | 124 | 57 |
| T13. Missouri | 25 | 160 | 68 |
TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett continues his reign at the top of the SEC sack leaderboard. He is being challenged by Ole Miss sophomore Marquis Haynes, who enjoyed a big game against Auburn in Week 9 and secured another sack against Arkansas in Week 10.
| NAME | TEAM | POSITION | SACKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | DL | 10.5 |
| 2. Marquis Haynes | Ole Miss | DL | 8.5 |
| T3. Lewis Neal | LSU | DL | 7.0 |
| T3. Walter Brady | Missouri | DL | 7.0 |
| T3. Charles Harris | Missouri | DL | 7.0 |
On the tackles for loss side of things, Missouri’s Charles Harris broke a tie with Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, securing 1.5 tackles per loss in a Week 10 loss to Mississippi State. After falling off the list for a week, Florida’s Jonathan Bullard is back at No. 3 this week.
| NAME | TEAM | POSITION | TACKLES FOR LOSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Charles Harris | Missouri | DL | 17.0 |
| 2. Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | DL | 16.0 |
| 3. Jonathan Bullard | Florida | DL | 13.0 |
| T4. A.J. Jefferson | Mississippi State | DL | 12.5 |
| T4. Zach Cunningham | Vanderbilt | LB | 12.5 |
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
