OSU football: Signs of improvement

Defending the pass

OSU has dropped its pass yards per game average by nearly 50 yards from last season to 240.6 and has 11 interceptions, one fewer than it had all of last year.

Third down

Last season, the Pokes allowed opponents to convert 41.3 percent of third-down tries, which ranked 77th nationally. This year, they’ve trimmed that percentage to 35.3, which ranks 42nd.

Texas Tech

Stopping the run

Last season, the Red Raiders allowed 177.0 yards per game on the ground. Currently, they’re 10th nationally, giving up 98.7.

Turnovers

Texas Tech created 21 turnovers last season and had a team turnover margin of minus-five. Through nine games this season, it has 22 takeaways and a plus-10 turnover margin.

Quarterback sacks

The Red Raiders had 26 sacks in 13 games a year ago. Right now, they’ve recorded 24 sacks, including a Big 12-leading 10 by DE Brandon Williams.

By Scott Wright