Has the Miami Hurricanes turnover chain gotten in opponents heads?

In spite of all the success the 2017 Miami Hurricanes had on the football field, the first question Mark Richt received at the ACC Kickoff was about the turnover chain.

The Miami Hurricanes won their first outright ACC Coastal Division title in 2017. The Division Crown meant their first appearance in the ACC Championship Game. Miami also had its first ten-win season and Orange Bowl appearance in 15 years in 2017.

Even with all that success, Richt, wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and safety Jaquan Johnson were all asked about the turnover chain in Charlotte at the ACC Kickoff earlier this week.

Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz who worked with a local jeweler to create the turnover chain was interviewed about the chain’s impact in an article about turnovers in College Football.

In his 12 seasons as a Defensive Coordinator, Diaz’s teams have finished in the top 25 five in the nation five times forcing turnovers. All four of the aforementioned Miami Hurricanes discussed the impact of the turnover chain and if it has gotten into the psyche of the opponents.

Richards was even asked if the offense would get an equivalent. Richt discussed his reaction was to the phenomenon of the turnover chain.

"“I didn’t know about the turnover chain until the first game. Coach Diaz is like, hey, Coach, by the way, we’ve got this chain, in case we get a turnover we’re going to put it on their neck…It wasn’t until the night of the first game that I looked on social media and saw Malek Young with the big grin and that big chain on his neck.I don’t even think I touched it until the season was over…But like I’ve said all year long, or since the season ended, if we got three turnovers last year, it would have been mocked. It would have been laughed at. But when you get 31 turnovers or whatever it was, maybe there’s something to it.It did create an awful lot of excitement for our team. It created an awful lot of excitement for our fans, not just at the games but around the country. It was a special thing.”"

Miami finished the 2017 season third in the country with those 31 forced turnovers. Only Central Florida and Wyoming forced more turnovers than Miami.

The turnover chain was mentioned 14 times in the three interviews between Richards, Johnson and Richt. Richards went first, followed by Johnson and Richt on Wednesday afternoon.

Richards was asked if the Miami Hurricanes offense would be getting their own version of the turnover chain this season. Maybe players could be rewarded for first downs, every time they get a certain amount of yardage on a big play or after a touchdown.

Richards acknowledged that the defensive players have to work hard to be “chained.”

"“Those guys work hard, and they’re really enjoying it, and it helps them out, also, wanting to make plays and stuff. So I think we should have something, but it’s not up to me.”"

No one received the turnover chain more often last season that Jaquan Johnson. He tied for the Miami team lead with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Johnson was asked if the turnover chain has brought back respect and the swagger to the U.

"“I definitely think teams have learned to respect us. I read something, I’m not sure what coach said it, but it was something about how Miami if you get them in a close game, they’re not going to finish.This was like two years ago. And last year we really wanted to emphasize on finishing the game, and in close games we needed to win them.That’s what we were able to do last year…the turnover chain itself is definitely like the 12th man. As soon as it comes out — as soon as we get the turnover, it starts; you start to hear all the yelling and the shouting, but once the turnover chain goes on our neck. It’s like a whole ‘nother notch, like man.”"

Johnson was also asked if the defense talks about the chain or plans for it.

"“I don’t hear as much conversation on the sidelines talking about the turnover chain, but I hear we need turnovers…But we definitely look forward to getting a turnover and then putting the chain on our neck. It motivates the team. It excites the crowd, and it bothers the other team.”"

Diaz also had his own take about the phenomenon he created. The Hurricanes Defensive Boss was interviewed by ESPN’s David Hale in an article about if turnovers are about more than luck.

To opponents and rivals of Miami who are annoyed by the turnover chain, Hale clearly had it in mind writing the article “Chain reaction: Are turnovers about more than luck?” The idea for the chain was born in 2016 when Miami only forced three turnovers during a four-game midseason losing streak.

Diaz thought that maybe if his players had some sort of incentive to forced turnovers they would become more successful at it. To the haters of the chain, we have to remember these are 18-22-year-old young men. Different things excite us at different times in our lives.

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We have seen a lot of change in the past year with standing up to the old, white, male establishment. The chain is part by product of that. Diaz spoke about the success of the turnover chain.

"“The world responds to incentive…Who knew college football players liked wearing gold chains? As the year went on, the most fascinating thing was the impact on the other team we played.There’s always an idea in coaching, you want to stay out of the ‘don’t’ — don’t do this, don’t do that — and the more the chain was emphasized, the more other teams were talking about not turning the ball over, and the more the turnovers came. It felt psychologically (sic), it created more of an issue for our opponents.”"

Although the data shows that turnovers are not substantially an advantage over time, Diaz has a slightly different opinion.

"“I’ve read all the data, but I do think there are things that at least give you a better chance.”"

It would be interesting to look at the data about where and when the turnovers occurred in a game. In reference to Miami last season, how did the momentum change? In home games in particular when the Hurricanes forced a turnover it would get the crowd into a frenzy to see the chain come out.

Next: Miami Hurricanes turnovers in 2017 by design, not luck

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, for the Miami Hurricanes the turnover chain gave them an edge in 2017.