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yea, like the Sooners

We sure as hell weren't living off takeaways.  More like "despite the lack" of them.

Right, because a 13 game sample = a 1 game sample.   

I used the term random turnovers.  A team might benefit from them during the season and then not benefit in a single game.

Statistics.

I used the term random turnovers.  A team might benefit from them during the season and then not benefit in a single game.

Statistics.

Yes, a 1-game sample means almost anything can happen.  However, good teams tend to beat bad teams in any one-game sample...good RBs tend to run for a lot of yards in any one game sample and teams that create a lot of turnovers are more likely to cause more than their opponent in any one game sample.

Then what's an example of a "random turnover"?  It would have to be one you're certain was not caused or created by scheme or players.  

Who recovers fumbles tends to be random, but no, turnovers themselves (or the number of them) are certainly not random.  
Utah State is a good example - they've been among the national leaders in turnovers the past 3 years.  Syracuse, UCF, among others seem to emphasize causing turnovers.  
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The idea that all turnovers are simply random makes you wonder why coaches spend time on tip drills and stripping ball-carriers or even bother with zone blitzes and disguised coverages.  
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Well of course, you're more confident in predicting the overall quality of a team more than it's turnover ability because you've been predicting and paying attention to the former since you were a kid and you haven't really studied the latter at all.  
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Both have numerous aspects - almost too many to count.  
When it comes to turnovers, it would be no more difficult to become confident in it than it has been ranking teams overall.
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You predict Alabama will be good because you're well-versed in many of the major aspects that determine that outcome.  You know their perceived talent level is elite.  You know their HC is great.  You know they can afford all the things elite programs want/need.  You know their record going back a few years.  Blah blah blah.  Any one of us is an expert in the things that comprise a very good team.
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When it comes to turnovers, are any of us an expert?  Is the DC the same as last year?  How many starters returning?  Good pass rush?  Great CB or Safety?  Is the CB good enough to play really well but not so elite that QBs avoid him?  Do the players go for big hits or wrap up?  Do they have unique blitz packages?  Are the 4 new starters influencing what the DC feels he should call in certain downs and distances?  Do the DBs tend to get their head around?  How's their cardio - do they trail plays full-go or barely jogging?  
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Just because these specific aspects aren't in all the preseason mags, I'm not going to shrug and say we can't know these things.  And to be honest, we don't have to know them, just acknowledge they exist and have some confidence that these aspects add up to something tangible and quite the opposite of random.