A recipe for KU staying close to Missouri? Plus, predictions for the Border War

photo by: Kevin Anderson

The Kansas football team warms up before taking on Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday.

Tom, KU is more than a three-touchdown underdog against Missouri. What scenario, if any, could you see playing out where KU is close in the fourth quarter of this game?

photo by: Kevin Anderson

The Kansas football team warms up before taking on Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas

Tom Keegan: Kansas runs the ball successfully, has long, clock-eating drives to keep its defense off the field and emerging safety Bradley McDougald has the game of his life.

JN: The Jayhawks are averaging only 3.3 yards per carry during conference play, which is last in the Big 12. That hasn’t stopped the Jayhawks from running the ball the third-most of any Big 12 team during conference play, trailing only Kansas State and Missouri.

A running game that once was thought of as a strength for KU hasn’t turned out to be that as the season has dragged on.

Last week, KU posted 55 rushes for 64 yards (1.2 yards per carry). Yes, the bad snap on the punt lost the Jayhawks significant negative yardage, but even if you tack that yardage back on, KU still would have been at less than two yards per carry.

photo by: Kevin Anderson

Kansas running James Sims (29) carries against Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Kyle Stadium in College Station, Texas.

Though Missouri ranks right in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 as far as rushing defense goes, I’m not brave enough to predict a big day for KU’s running game, especially with this matchup’s recent history. In 2009, MU allowed 2.6 yards per carry to KU in a 40-37 victory, while in 2010, the Tigers only allowed 2.7 yards per carry to the Jayhawks in a 35-7 triumph.

Tom, with Missouri heading to the SEC next season, KU and MU will end the longest uninterrupted series west of the Mississippi River. What’s your feeling — do you think these two teams will play each other in the next 10 years?

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2011/nov/23/35210/

TK: Only if it’s in a bowl game. Missouri walked out on the Big 12 and Kansas needs to remember that. It will. No game in the next 10 years, unless in a bowl game, which would make for one very entertaining bowl game filled with hatred.

JN: All right, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

TK: Missouri 48, Kansas 17.

photo by: Richard Gwin

KU coach Turner Gill and Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel shake hands after the The Annual Border war on Saturday. Missouri went head to head in Arrowhead Stadium as the Tigers won 35-7.

My guess is Kansas showing so little competitive fire in the Texas A&M game means the same is probably the case for the past couple of weeks of practices.

JN: I’ll go with Missouri 52, KU 14.

photo by: Richard Gwin

KU's James Sims (29) tries working his way through Missouri defenders. Kansas and Missouri met at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday for the 119th game in the rivalry series.

Because these two teams won’t meet next year, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel has no reason to ease up if the Tigers build up a huge lead. I’m sure Missouri fans would love nothing more than to drop 70 or more on KU in the final Border War for the foreseeable future.

I’m not predicting that kind of blowout, as I think senior linebacker Steven Johnson will lead an inspired effort by the defense. That won’t be enough to keep the game close, but it will be enough to keep a fourth Jayhawks’ opponent from scoring 60 or more this year.

OK, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Christian Matthews.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Kansas' Christian Matthews (12) goes up for a pass against Missouri's Kip Edwards (1). Kansas and Missouri met at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday for the 119th game in the rivalry series.

He’s improved during the season and has shown he’s a threat as a receiver and a runner. Maybe he throws a pass or two in this one?

JN: Matthews hasn’t thrown once all year out of the Jayhawk/Wildcat formation, so maybe KU has been saving it for this game …

I’ll go with the aforementioned Steven Johnson.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas linebacker Steven Johnson comes down with the ball after a pass from Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III was broken up during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 at Kivisto Field.

Here’s guessing he’ll give an impassioned speech before the game, then play the best on his team during the game. In a year full of disappointments for KU, Johnson was the one player that gave the most consistent effort on every single play.

Predictions tally (through 11 games)

Tom: 10-1 record.
Jesse: 10-1 record.

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan
McNeese State: Toben Opurum (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Northern Illinois: Darrian Miller (7th in Keegan ratings)
Georgia Tech: Bradley McDougald (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Texas Tech: Tony Pierson (7th in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Tim Biere (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Tyler Patmon (9th in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Darrian Miller (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Tony Pierson (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Tim Biere (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Darrian Miller (1st in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Bradley McDougald (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)

Jesse Newell
McNeese State: Brandon Bourbon (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Northern Illinois: Darius Willis (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Georgia Tech: Kale Pick (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Texas Tech: James Sims (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Brandon Bourbon (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Steven Johnson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Toben Opurum (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Greg Brown (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: JaCorey Shepherd (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Tim Biere (Not ranked in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Kale Pick (3rd in Keegan ratings)