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Texas Tech football: Statistical goals for the 2020 offense

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive Coordinator David Yost of Texas Tech watches pregame warmups before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive Coordinator David Yost of Texas Tech watches pregame warmups before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of Texas Tech instructs his teammates during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of Texas Tech instructs his teammates during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

No more than 1.75 sacks allowed per game

While the ground game will be as important as ever this fall, Tech will still live and die by the pass, and protecting Bowman will be the most important task for the rebuilt offensive line, which saw three starters graduate last season.

Thus, if Tech can allow no more than 1.75 sacks per game, it will be a success.  Though that would be an increase of 0.25 per game, it would be good enough for the offense to still function at a high level.

Last year, West Virginia allowed exactly 1.75 sacks per game, and that ranked 4th in the Big 12 and 41st nationally,  Those rankings would be more than acceptable for a Red Raider offensive line breaking in a pair of new starting tackles.

Keep in mind that there is likely to be quite a bit of lineup shuffling along the offensive front this year given the threat of COVID-19.  Thus, sacks could be elevated given how a lack of consistency along the line can adversely impact a team’s pass protection.

But on the other hand, if Tech achieves our first goal of 37 rushing attempts per game, there will be fewer passes attempted and that could suppress the number of sacks allowed.  And as we’ve already discussed, that would be a tremendous aid towards helping Bowman remaining upright for an entire year.

A year ago, Tech was fantastic in regard to sack percentage (the percentage of dropbacks on which the QB was sacked).  At only 3.05%, Tech ranked 6th in the country and tops in the Big 12.

It is conceivable that the Red Raiders could drop a bit in that area as well, especially if there are fewer passes attempted if rushing attempts increase.  But so long as there are no more than 1.75 sacks allowed per game, the offense should be in great shape.

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