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Texas Tech football: Turnovers, rushing yards, QB contain keys vs. Houston

By Matthew Conner

Sep 11, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 20: Defensive back Reggie Pearson Jr. #22 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends during the second half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 20: Defensive back Reggie Pearson Jr. #22 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends during the second half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech must create turnovers

McGuire is all about creating energy on the field.  One way he wants to do that is through the use of music and sound effects.  Fans at last week’s game likely noticed that bone-rattling upbeat music was played in between every defensive snap and that was a strategic decision on the part of the coaching staff.

Another sound effect that McGuire wants to use to create a vibe in the stadium is the alarm from the movie franchise “The Purge”.  In those movies, citizens of the United States are given one night per year to commit any and all crimes they wish without repercussions.  That night is known as “The Annual Purge” and when it begins, an eery alarm is broadcast over the airways and through public safety speakers.

McGuire wants to play that sound effect after every Texas Tech takeaway this year.  Sounds great…except…Tech didn’t take the ball away from Murray State in week one.  That should be a team that the defense can bully into giving the ball away multiple times.  So one has to wonder if Tech can force Houston into some giveaways this weekend or if The Purge alarm will once again go unused.

Don’t forget that in last season’s 38-21 win against the Cougars in Houston, Tech won the turnover battle 4-1.  That was the primary reason the Red Raiders were able to prevail.

While forcing that many giveaways will be tough this year given that Houston QB Clayton Tune has improved when it comes to ball security, Tech certainly has to generate some takeaways if the good guys are to prevail today.

All offseason, new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter has preached three turnovers per game.  The defense even has shirts and wristbands that say “Take 3” on them.  So far, they are three behind in that category. But that can change today in a big way if Tune reverts back to his old ways.  So here’s hoping that we all hear The Purge sirens throughout the afternoon.

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