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Texas Tech football: Statistical goals to aim for against the Longhorns

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 10: A Texas Tech Red Raider player holds a helmet before the game against 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 Texas Tech Red Raider player holds a helmet before the game against 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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Running back Chadarius Townsend #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Running back Chadarius Townsend #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

4.0 yards per rush

The ground game was what Texas Tech turned to in week one when things got a bit too close for comfort.  And this week, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see OC David Yost turn to his running backs again, but this time as a means to protect his team’s suspect defense.

Against HBU, the Red Raiders ran the ball 43 times for an average of 4.5 yards per carry.  But of course, the Texas defense is going to be far more formidable than the HBU defense was.  Still, Tech should strive to average at least 4.0 yards per rush.

We still don’t know exactly how good the UT rush defense is.  On the one hand, it looks amazing being as Texas gave up just 1.3 yards per carry in week one.  But on the other hand, the opponent was UTEP, which is one of the most dreadful programs in the country.  In fact, last year, the Miners were just No. 93 nationally in yards per carry.

Keep in mind that yards per carry is also influenced by sacks.  Thus, if Tech is going to be over the 4-yard mark, it will likely mean that QB Alan Bowman is not being sacked very often as was the case in week one when Tech did not allow HBU to get to him one time.

It will be critical for Tech to put the Texas defense on its heels by running the football.  Asking Alan Bowman to beat the Horns with no support from the ground game is a recipe for a loss because of the fact that he will be relying on tackles who have never played in a Big 12 game to protect both his front and blindside.

We got good news earlier this week when we learned that sophomore RB and leading rusher SaRodorick Thompson would play despite this week’s arrest for street racing.  Now, he and his fellow running backs should expect a heavy workload this weekend and if the offensive line can pave the way to 4.0 yards per carry or more, Tech can dictate terms to the UT defense and position itself for a win.

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