I was digging through some stats for another piece that I hope to write in the future about Will Muschamp and Greg Davis, and stumbled upon some interesting stats about the ’09 Longhorns.  Stats are for losers, but… well…  I guess that would make me a loser.  If you’re a loser too, read on my brethren.

* Through six games the Longhorns still lead the nation in scoring at 42 points per game.  That’s right, six touchdowns per contest despite the struggle that occurred this past Saturday. 

* Although we now know, thanks to Mack, that Texas from this point on is going to stress the run (haven’t I heard that somewhere before?) we’re right on pace to have the same kind of rushing stats as 2008. (Currently ranked 41/finished at 41 in ’08, currently rushing for 169 ypg/rushed for 167 ypg in ’08)

* In many a Mack Brown presser we’ve heard talk of forcing more turnovers to give ourselves a greater chance of winning the game.  Mack’s wish is the defenses command as they’ve forced 19 turnovers so far.  That’s 3 more than all of last year.  Unfortunately, this is listed under the offense category because the offense has already given the ball back to the opponents 14 times, which is just as many turnovers as we had in all of 2008.  I don’t know how, but somehow this will end up being Greg Davis’ fault.

 
Defense:

* Texas has the best run defense by far this season surrendering only 35.8 yards per game.  Texas actually lowered it’s yards allowed rushing by holding OU to -16 yards on 22 attempts this past Saturday.  It also helps that Texas faces only 28 rushes per game which is the 3rd fewest amongst FBS teams.  By comparison, Western Kentucky’s defense (new to FBS this year), faces 48 rushes per match.

* Mushcamp’s pass defense ranks 50th in the nation in yards given up per game leading some to say, "average."  But, we all know how bogus a stat ‘pass yards allowed’ is.  Of course you won’t lead the nation in pass defense when you have to defend against and average of 40 passes per game (second most in FBS).  A more telling pass defense stat is yards allowed per pass attempt.  Where might Texas rank in that category?  In a tie for 9that 5.3 y/a.  That sounds more like it.  Other teams in the top 10 of yards allowed per pass attempt: North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Boise St.

* How much has a year of seasoning for our young secondary helped the pass defense?  Last year Texas picked of 6 passes for the entire season.  They already had 10 INTs through 6 games in 2009.  Opposing QBs are completing just over 52% of their pass attempts with a passer rating 25 points lower than a season ago.  (No one really knows what passer rating is, but 25 points has to be good)

* The defense currently ranks 6th in total defense yielding 246 yards per game.  The last time Texas finished top 10 in total defense?  You guessed it, 2005.

Special Teams:

* The Horns have scored six non-offensive touchdowns in six games (2 punt returns, 2 kick returns, 1 punt block for TD, and 1 INT returned for TD).

* The kicking game has already resulted in 12 made field goals.  In all of 2008 Texas made 11 field goals.  I’m sure if this is a good or bad thing.

* And lastly, we all know the struggles the kick coverage unit has shown so far this season.  They rank in the bottom half of FBS teams in terms of yards per return given up.  However, they also face more kick offs to cover than 119 of the 120 FBS teams which, I guess you could say, gives them more of a chance to fail in this new world of kicking off from the 30.

Well, there you have it losers.  I’m sure there are more interesting tidbits to be dug up, but for now, stay lost my friends.

NOTE:  This was probably inappropriate use of the block quote feature.  I was just trying to indent my bullet points and it came out like that.  I thought it looked cool so I left it.