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Texas Tech Football: 5 Team Statistical Goals For 2017

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders encourages his team during the first half of the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on November 5, 2016 at AT
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders encourages his team during the first half of the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on November 5, 2016 at AT /
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LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Joseph Wallace
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Joseph Wallace /

Goal #4: Create 26 Turnovers

When defensive coordinator David Gibbs took over the Texas Tech defense in 2015, his calling card was his ability to build defenses that forced turnovers.  In his first season as the defensive coordinator at Houston in 2013, the Cougars forced 43 takeaways, most in college football.  That total dropped to 30 the next season but that was still 11th most in the country.

Unfortunately, that success has not followed Gibbs to Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders have forced just 38 total turnovers in Gibbs’ tenure.  That includes a disappointing 13 last season.

Now that Gibbs is in his third season, it is time for his defense to do what he was hired to get it to do.  Taking the ball away from the opponent would be the quickest way for the Tech defense to improve.

With a large number of underclassmen expected to play important roles this season, there are going to be times when the defense continues to struggle against the run or to get to the quarterback.  However, those issues can be offset if a defense can force turnovers.

Stopping the run requires a defense to win on the vast majority of snaps in a game.  Taking the ball away requires the defense to win on just one play.  In that case, two or three plays could turn the tide of an entire game.

Furthermore, forcing turnovers is essential in the Big 12.  The offenses in the league are far too high-powered to be shut down so the best way to win is to take the ball away and give your offense more possessions than the opponent.

The top five teams in the Big 12 last season, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Kansas State and TCU averaged 21.6 turnovers gained.  Texas Tech will probably need to force even more than that in 2017 given the fact that its defense is likely to be worse overall and render more points than those of the afore mentioned teams.

If Texas Tech is finally able to get over the 25 turnovers gained plateau this year, the defense will take a huge step towards returning to respectability.

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