photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas linebacker Huldon Tharp (34) and Bradley McDougald try to bring down Texas running back Malcolm Brown during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday.

Tom, what’s one reason KU fans should be optimistic the Jayhawks could win Saturday?

Tom Keegan: They shouldn’t be optimistic. But if you’re looking for one reason they could be optimistic, I guess I’d have to say that Iowa State is the least physically imposing team Kansas has faced since defeating Northern Illinois 45-42 in Week 2, although an argument can be made Texas Tech isn’t as tough a foe as the Cyclones in the wake of ISU’s 41-7 blasting of the Red Raiders.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas linebacker Huldon Tharp (34) and Bradley McDougald try to bring down Texas running back Malcolm Brown during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Take a look back at the last six opponents Kansas faced and where they stand in the top 25: Georgia Tech (22), Texas Tech (not ranked), Oklahoma State (3), Oklahoma (7), Kansas State (17) and Texas (first among others receiving votes). It’s possible that riding such a high in Lubbock could work against the Cyclones given that Kansas, at this point, is the sort of opponent teams will look past.

JN: Iowa State has struggled stopping the run, allowing 5 yards per carry to conference opponents. After getting stuffed the last two weeks by Kansas State and Texas (57 carries for 74 yards), the Jayhawks need to find away to get their backs going again, as we learned last week that they cannot rely on their passing game alone to win (or stay close in) a game.

Speaking of KU’s running attack, why do you think the Jayhawks have struggled in this area after they saw so much early-season success?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas running back Darrian Miller reacts after a Texas touchdown during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

TK: In baseball, a 4A pitcher is a guy who’s too good to be at Triple A, dominates that competition, but not quite good enough for the major leagues. The Kansas offensive line just might be the 4A pitcher of college football.

Speaking of minor league pitchers not quite good enough for the majors, big-league teams usually take a career minor league starting pitcher on road trips in spring training, just in case they have to go extra innings. They’re known as “just in case” pitchers. Well, the late Johnny Oates, while managing the Texas Rangers, told me the Rangers had a “just in case” pitcher whose last name was Casey. He and his wife had a baby boy and named him Justin. Justin Casey. True story.

JN: Poor kid.

Something else interesting about the KU running game: It’s been way better in the first quarter than it has been in the other three quarters.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas running back James Sims leaves Kansas State linebacker Tre Walker on the turf during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at Kivisto Field.

Here’s the breakdown, courtesy of CFBstats.com:

1st quarter — 5.13 yards/carry
2nd quarter — 3.26 yards/carry
3rd quarter — 3.71 yards/carry
4th quarter –3.21 yards/carry

I can’t come up with a good explanation for this. On Wednesday, I asked KU offensive line coach J.B. Grimes about the numbers, and he couldn’t think of any reason for it, either.

I went back and checked, and sacks don’t seem to weigh this number down (Jordan Webb actually has lost more yards rushing in the first quarter than any other quarter).

Could it be that KU is more fresh in the first quarter? Or that teams are catching on quickly to what KU’s doing and making adjustments?

Again, I’m not sure what would cause this, but I’d be interested to hear any theories that people might have.

OK, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb scurries away from Texas defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

TK: Iowa State 34, Kansas 24. It has to excite the Kansas players that they are facing an opponent that they can match up with physically, so that ought to bring out the best in them.

JN: I’m going with Iowa State 38, KU 14.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas safety Lubbock Smith (1) and the Jayhawk defense can't hold back Texas running back Joe Bergeron as he marches through for a touchdown during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

It’s hard for me to pick a close game for KU on the road until it actually plays a competitive game on the road. Yes, the Jayhawks have played tough opponents away from Memorial Stadium, but in those games, they lost by 42, 42 and 43.

Under coach Paul Rhoads, Iowa State has thrived by forcing turnovers and feeding off the momentum. In its last two games, KU has had six fumbles (three lost) and also an interception.

It looks like the Cyclones are catching the Jayhawks at the right time in that regard, and if ISU wins the turnover battle, it’ll take this game easily.

All right, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Tim Biere.

photo by: Kevin Anderson

Kansas tight end Tim Biere could not quite get the ball in the end zone during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at Kivisto Field.

Tight end knows how to get open and has such sure hands. In a game during which Kansas might not have to play from way behind, going to the reliable receiver often could keep the chains moving.

JN: I’ll take JaCorey Shepherd.

photo by: Nick Krug

Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs pulls a pass away from Kansas receiver JaCorey Shepherd for an interception during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

After a two-drop game against Texas, the true freshman should redeem himself here by finding openings down the field.

Iowa State has allowed 27, 20-plus yard passing plays, which puts the Cyclones in the bottom third of the country in that statistic.

Shepherd has three catches already this year of 40 yards or more, and I see him breaking free for another long reception this game.

Predictions tally (through eight games)

Tom: 7-1 record.
Jesse: 7-1 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)

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)