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 8:

SACKS: RANKING EACH SEC DEFENSE

Alabama has widened its lead at the top of this list, which will serve Crimson Tide well in its hope to remain the league leader through its Week 9 bye.

Florida fell behind Missouri during a Week 8 bye, as the Tigers jump both the Gators and Texas A&M in this week’s rankings.

Missouri continues to hold the top spot in the league in tackles for loss as the Tigers enter a Week 9 bye, with a healthy lead on Texas A&M and Ole Miss, which serve as the closest competition.

TEAM SACKS SACK YARDS TACKLES FOR LOSS
1. Alabama 27 161  53
2. Missouri 22 134  72
T3. Florida 21 174  55
T3. Texas A&M 21 117  66
5. Mississippi State 20 147  63
6. LSU 18 122  43
7. Vanderbilt 15 93  43
8. Tennessee 14 79  39
T9. Ole Miss 13 92  64
T9. South Carolina 13 88  37
T9. Georgia 13 78  45
12. Kentucky 12 80  27
13. Auburn 11 71  32
14. Arkansas 7 54  44

SACKED: ANALYZING HOW WELL EACH TEAM AVOIDS THE SACK

Arkansas continues its reign at the top of this list. 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.

One of the most alarming numbers on this chart is Alabama’s 64 tackles for loss allowed, which is by far the worst in the league.

TEAM SACKS ALLOWED SACK YARDS ALLOWED TACKLES FOR LOSS ALLOWED
1. Arkansas 6 38 24
T2. Georgia 8 48 25
T2. LSU 8 67 36
4. Mississippi State 10 69 34
5. Auburn 11 82 37
T6. South Carolina 12 76 32
T6. Vanderbilt 12 78 39
8. Alabama 13 95 64
9. Ole Miss 14 111 49
10. Tennessee 16 127 49
T11. Florida 20 104 45
T11. Missouri 20 125 57
T11. Kentucky 20 139 50
14. Texas A&M 21 135 46

TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS

Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett continues his reign at the top of the SEC sack leaderboard, though both he and LSU’s Lewis Neal went without a sack in Week 8.

NAME TEAM POSITION SACKS
1. Myles Garrett Texas A&M DL 8.5
2. Lewis Neal LSU DL 7.0
T3. Walter Brady Missouri DL 6.0
T3. Jonathan Allen Alabama DL 6.0
T3. Charles Harris Missouri DL 6.0

On the tackles for loss side of things, Missouri’s Charles Harris continues to pace the league. He had three tackles for loss in a 10-3 loss to Vanderbilt in Week 8.

NAME TEAM POSITION TACKLES FOR LOSS
1. Charles Harris Missouri DL 15.5
2. Myles Garrett Texas A&M DL 13.5
3. A.J. Jefferson Mississippi State DL 11.5
4. Jalen Reeves-Maybin Tennessee LB 10.5
5. Jonathan Bullard Florida DL 10.0