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 7:
SACKS: RANKING EACH SEC DEFENSE
Alabama’s six-sack effort in Week 7 helped the Crimson Tide leap over Texas A&M and Florida to take the SEC lead.
Florida’s spot at No. 2 on this list isn’t surprising because the Gators have a talented and physical defensive front led by Jonathan Bullard.
Missouri has moved into a tie for fourth in the league in sacks, but the Tigers continue to hold the top spot in the league in tackles for loss.
Ole Miss ranks second in tackles for loss in spite of ranking just ninth in the league in sacks.
| TEAM | SACKS | SACK YARDS | TACKLES FOR LOSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Alabama | 22 | 123 | 45 |
| 2. Florida | 21 | 174 | 55 |
| 3. Texas A&M | 20 | 111 | 57 |
| T4. Mississippi State | 19 | 141 | 53 |
| T4. Missouri | 19 | 110 | 65 |
| 6. LSU | 17 | 112 | 37 |
| T7. South Carolina | 13 | 88 | 37 |
| T7. Georgia | 13 | 78 | 45 |
| T9. Kentucky | 11 | 77 | 24 |
| T9. Ole Miss | 11 | 72 | 58 |
| T9. Vanderbilt | 11 | 67 | 36 |
| 12. Auburn | 10 | 62 | 29 |
| 13. Tennessee | 9 | 52 | 29 |
| 14. Arkansas | 6 | 45 | 37 |
SACKED: ANALYZING HOW WELL EACH TEAM AVOIDS THE SACK
Thanks to a Week 7 bye, Arkansas was in no danger of losing its top spot as the team that has allowed the fewest sacks and the fewest tackles for loss. The big, physical Razorbacks offensive line is paying dividends, but is also aided by an experienced quarterback in Brandon Allen, who knows when to get rid of the football and avoid a negative play.
Arkansas is followed by LSU, Georgia and Alabama, which are teams that feature arguably the best running backs in the country, making it tough for opposing defenses to work up a good pass rush.
| TEAM | SACKS
ALLOWED |
SACK YARDS
ALLOWED |
TACKLES FOR
LOSS ALLOWED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Arkansas | 5 | 29 | 21 |
| 2. LSU | 7 | 56 | 32 |
| T3. Georgia | 8 | 48 | 25 |
| T3. Alabama | 8 | 68 | 54 |
| T5. Vanderbilt | 9 | 54 | 32 |
| T5. Mississippi State | 9 | 66 | 31 |
| 7. Auburn | 10 | 73 | 30 |
| 8. Tennessee | 11 | 89 | 41 |
| T9. South Carolina | 12 | 76 | 32 |
| T9. Ole Miss | 12 | 96 | 39 |
| 11. Missouri | 16 | 99 | 50 |
| T12. Texas A&M | 19 | 115 | 40 |
| T12. Kentucky | 19 | 133 | 40 |
| 14. Florida | 20 | 104 | 45 |
TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett continues his reign at the top of the SEC sack leaderboard, adding one to his total in a loss to Alabama in Week 7.
LSU’s Lewis Neal has made a big move in recent weeks, climbing all the way to No. 2 on the list.
| NAME | TEAM | POSITION | SACKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | DL | 8.5 |
| 2. Lewis Neal | LSU | DL | 7.0 |
| 3. Walter Brady | Missouri | DL | 6.0 |
| T4. Jonathan Allen | Alabama | DL | 5.0 |
| T4. Charles Harris | Missouri | DL | 5.0 |
On the tackles for loss side of things, Missouri’s Charles Harris continues to pace the league. He’s joined on the leaderboard by fellow Tiger Walter Brady, who actually holds a six to five advantage on him in the sacks category.
| NAME | TEAM | POSITION | TACKLES FOR LOSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Charles Harris | Missouri | DL | 12.5 |
| 2. Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | DL | 11.5 |
| 3. A.J. Jefferson | Mississippi State | DL | 10.5 |
| 4. Jonathan Bullard | Florida | DL | 10.0 |
| 5. Walter Brady | Missouri | DL | 9.5 |
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.
