Three Statistical Categories OSU Must Improve in to be Successful

There are plenty of factors that will determine how Oklahoma State’s upcoming season will play out, and (favorable or unfavorable) statistics are a major part of that. There are the obvious ones, such as points or yards per game, but there are also more nuanced statistics that can tell a lot about a season.

Here are three less obvious statistics that are equally important to pay attention to in 2018 that could have a huge affect on OSU’s successes (or failures).

OPPD

Head coach Mike Gundy has said on multiple occasions that points per drive, not points per game, is the fairest defensive measuring statistic in the Big 12 because of how quickly the offenses run. Gundy makes a good point, as the Big 12 is notorious for its fast-paced tempo, and the point total will naturally rise with an increase in plays and possessions.

The Cowboys were fourth in the conference and No. 58 in the country last season defensively, giving up 2.05 points per drive. The three teams in front of them, Texas, TCU and Iowa State, all had excellent defenses in 2017 with sub-2.0 OPPD. If OSU can hover around that same number and stay in the top half of the conference in that statistic, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have accomplished a major feat in his first season.

Opposing 3rd Down Conversion Percentage

The Cowboys were in the middle of the conference in terms of opposing third down conversion percentage, giving up almost 39 percent of conversions in 2017. Additionally, they haven’t been better than fifth in the conference since 2013. For the most part, this particular statistic played a major role in some of OSU’s biggest wins and losses.

For example, in the Cowboys’ most significant road victories against Iowa State, West Virginia and Texas, their defense held those teams to a combined 9-for-45 on third-down conversions. But in the Cowboys’ first two losses against TCU and Oklahoma, the defense gave up 18-of-32 third-down conversions.

There were times when it almost seemed inevitable that the opposing offense would convert and the Pokes’ defense would have to stay on the field, which eventually affected team fatigue and overall effectiveness. This statistic will be telling for this season, especially in the back half, when they face the conference’s best offenses.

TO Margin

After two years of being either first or second in the Big 12 in turnover margin, the Cowboys dipped to fifth with a +3 margin last season. This wasn’t because of a lack of forced turnovers by the defense. In fact, they had only one less forced turnover than the year before, where they ranked second. Rather, the offense gave up 21 turnovers in 2017, which was their highest total since 2014.

Turnover margin will be a significant and telling statistic this year, especially considering the offense will be operating under a new quarterback for the first time in more than three seasons. Hopefully the unit can find a way to be productive and stay away from becoming turnover-heavy.