Figuring out a gameplan to keep KU close to Oklahoma State

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas offensive lineman Trevor Marongelli (69) delivers a block to clear the way for a touchdown run from running back Rell Lewis (6) against Texas Tech during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Kivisto Field.

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

Tom, what is your favorite thing about Stillwater?

Tom Keegan: Pistol Pete, the OSU mascot. When I see him I think of two of my all-time favorite athletes: Pistol Pete Maravich and Walt “No Neck” Williams, the White Sox outfielder.

JN: Looking at the Cowboys, quarterback Brandon Weeden will turn 28 next week. Do you think — considering his skill set and age — that he has a future in professional football?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0mm4Bo6pM

TK: If he doesn’t make it in the NFL it will because he doesn’t have the necessary arm strength and doesn’t have a particularly quick release, not because of his age.

JN: Switching to KU, if you were coach Turner Gill, what gameplan would you draw up to try to stay close to the Cowboys?

TK: First, let me say that if I were drawing up the gameplan for Turner, Kansas would lose 81-3 and No. 3 would complete passes all day to No. 81. But I guess if it were up to me, on every play I’d snap the ball right before the clock expired, I’d run the ball a lot and try to make the game as short as possible.

photo by: Nick Krug

Plus, I’d see if the team could get away with sneaking a 12th player on the field on defense because 11 helmets won’t be enough to stop the Cowboys.

JN: OK, Tom, what’s your prediction?

TK: Oklahoma State 55, Kansas 21.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Texas Tech running back Eric Stephens (24) jumps over KU's defensive line for a touchdown during the second half Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at Memorial Stadium.

OSU is faster, bigger, more experienced, more skilled, more confident, deeper, better organized, more instinctive, more fundamentally sound, hungrier, more physical, in better condition, is playing in front of its jacked home crowd and the players have their names on the backs of their jerseys.

JN: I’ll say OSU tacks on the extra point for its eighth touchdown. Give me Cowboys 56, Jayhawks 21.

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

TK: Tight end Tim Biere’s ability to get open translates to better competition.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas tight end Tim Biere grabs a pass over Texas Tech defenders Blake Dees (25) and Cody Davis (16) during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Kivisto Field. The ball was fumbled and recovered by Kale Pick in the end zone for a touchdown.

JN: Pick a running back, any running back, as the Cowboys are the third-worst rush defense in the Big 12 (behind KU and Texas Tech).

Brandon Bourbon seems like he should get more carries after last week’s breakout performance, so I’ll say he finds the end zone against OSU.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas running back Brandon Bourbon races up the sideline to the end zone as the Texas Tech defense trails during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Kivisto Field.

Predictions tally (through four games)

Tom: 3-1 record.
Jesse: 3-1 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)

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)