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 11:
SACKS: RANKING EACH SEC DEFENSE
Alabama continues to dominate this category thanks to one of the best front sevens in the nation, as evidenced by the Crimson Tide’s nine-sack performance in Week 11 against Mississippi State.
Texas A&M has moved ahead of Missouri in the tackles for loss rankings.
| TEAM | SACKS | YARDS | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Alabama | 38 | 225 | 72 |
| 2. Florida | 31 | 224 | 76 |
| 3. Texas A&M | 28 | 161 | 90 |
| 4. Missouri | 26 | 162 | 87 |
| 5. Mississippi State | 25 | 182 | 78 |
| T6. LSU | 23 | 163 | 55 |
| T6. Vanderbilt | 23 | 140 | 66 |
| T8. South Carolina | 19 | 127 | 55 |
| T8. Tennessee | 19 | 112 | 58 |
| T10. Ole Miss | 18 | 127 | 77 |
| T10. Georgia | 18 | 104 | 56 |
| 12. Auburn | 14 | 104 | 42 |
| T13. Arkansas | 13 | 98 | 55 |
| T13. Kentucky | 13 | 87 | 40 |
SACKED: ANALYZING HOW WELL EACH TEAM AVOIDS THE SACK
After chasing the Razorbacks for the better part of the season, Georgia now owns an outright lead in the sacks allowed category to go along with the Bulldogs’ lead in tackles for loss allowed.
One of the most alarming numbers on this chart is Alabama’s 74 tackles for loss allowed, which is the worst number in the league in spite of being one of the best teams in the country.
Florida, which also has a 9-1 record, ranks worst in the league with 28 sacks allowed.
Here are the rankings for sacks and tackles for loss allowed:
| TEAM | ALLOWED | YARDS | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Georgia | 10 | 62 | 34 |
| 2. Arkansas | 11 | 74 | 41 |
| 3. LSU | 15 | 113 | 51 |
| T4. Auburn | 16 | 109 | 51 |
| T4. Alabama | 16 | 126 | 74 |
| T4. Ole Miss | 16 | 127 | 54 |
| 7. Vanderbilt | 20 | 126 | 59 |
| 8. Tennessee | 21 | 156 | 71 |
| T9. South Carolina | 22 | 134 | 56 |
| T9. Mississippi State | 22 | 146 | 57 |
| T11. Kentucky | 25 | 159 | 66 |
| T11. Missouri | 25 | 160 | 75 |
| T11. Texas A&M | 25 | 169 | 54 |
| 14. Florida | 28 | 144 | 66 |
TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
Alabama DL Jonathan Allen was the big mover this week in the individual sack rankings, racking up three in a win against Mississippi State to spring him all the way to No. 2 on the list after beginning the week outside of the Top 5. Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett maintains his spot at the top with 10.5 sacks.
| NAME | TEAM | POS. | SACKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | DL | 10.5 |
| 2. Jonathan Allen | Alabama | DL | 9.0 |
| 3. Marquis Haynes | Ole Miss | DL | 8.5 |
| T4. Walter Brady | Missouri | DL | 7.0 |
| T4. Charles Harris | Missouri | DL | 7.0 |
On the tackles for loss side of things, Myles Garrett pulled even with Missouri’s Charles Harris with his one tackle for loss against Western Carolina in Week 11. Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham continues to be the climber in this category, working his way into a tie for third place.
| NAME | TEAM | POSITION | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1. Charles Harris | Missouri | DL | 17.0 |
| T1. Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | DL | 17.0 |
| T3. Jonathan Bullard | Florida | DL | 13.5 |
| T3. Zach Cunningham | Vanderbilt | LB | 13.5 |
| 5. A.J. Jefferson | Mississippi State | DL | 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.
