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Texas Tech football: 3 statistical successes Red Raiders need to repeat in 2020

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 10: A general view of of Jones AT&T Stadium during the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones on October 10, 2015 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 66-31. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 10: A general view of of Jones AT&T Stadium during the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones on October 10, 2015 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 66-31. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr #96 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders holds up the ball after recovering a fumble. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr #96 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders holds up the ball after recovering a fumble. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Turnover margin

Because last year’s Texas Tech football team had a number of turnovers at the most inopportune times, we might be prone to think that turnovers were a huge problem all season.  But in actuality, Tech was one of the better teams in the nation in terms of turnover margin.

Ranking No. 38 in the NCAA, Wells’ team had a positive turnover margin of 0.33 per game.  That is a trend that needs to continue in 2020.

To understand just how turnovers can change the course of one game, consider that in Tech’s only significant win last year, the 45-35 upset of No. 21 Oklahoma State, the Red Raiders forced five turnovers.  What’s more, in the only other Big 12 win of the season, against West Virginia, Tech forced four more.

In fact, in Tech’s four wins, the turnover edge was 9-2.  In all other games, Tech actually had a turnover deficit of 13-10.

Here’s what might be frightening for Tech fans when it comes to taking the ball away.  Safety Douglas Coleman and his 8 interceptions and LB Jordyn Brooks and his playmaking-ability are both now gone meaning new leaders in that area of the game are going to have to emerge.

So the key for Tech in 2020 appears to be being more consistent in forcing turnovers.  Taking the ball away on a weekly basis could be a huge factor in the quest for five wins and hopefully, the team can build on the decent success it had a  year ago in that aspect of the game.

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