**Jesse Newell:** Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Texas in Austin on Saturday.
Tom, what was the most interesting thing you took away from KU coach Turner Gill’s press conference on Tuesday?
**Tom Keegan:** Thanks for the loaded question, Jesse. You didn’t live in a scholarship hall for nothing. But I make a living asking tough questions, so it’s only fair I answer them when asked. So here goes.
I actually think Turner Gill hurts his cause during press conferences almost as much as during games. Tuesday was the second time he opened a press conference citing statistics that show Kansas has improved. That’s not what anybody wants to hear because overall Kansas keeps getting worse. He also consistently talks about needing to “continue to get better.” This presupposes that the team is getting better, and it’s not. The team needs to stop getting worse before it can continue to get better.
JN: Even if it isn’t in Gill’s nature to be a negative guy, it also might serve him well to appear more upset by his team’s struggles. He’s the face of the program, and it doesn’t project a good image when he seems unaffected by his team’s poor play. Fans don’t want to feel like they’re more upset and embarrassed by a blowout loss than the head coach.
Looking closer at KU through seven games, which position group do you think has exceeded expectations most? Also, which position group do you think has been the most disappointing?
**TK:** I would say the running backs have exceeded expectations the most.
While it’s true that running back is a position where experience isn’t as important as most and instincts are more important, it’s still impressive what the young running backs have done.
The defensive line has been the least productive unit, but that’s consistent with expectations. I’d say the wide receivers have been the most disappointing.
They have blocked better, thanks to coach David Beaty’s return, but it’s clear that the position needs to be upgraded with a big playmaker. It looks as if Christian Matthews and Chris Omigie won’t be the answer because of difficulty catching the ball consistently.
**JN:** For me, the quarterback position has exceeded expectations the most. Jordan Webb (1,408 yards, 67.1 percent completion percentage, 12 TDs, 5 INTs) has played better than I thought he could play this season, and I’m a bit surprised KU hasn’t opened it up more early to try to see if he has the potential to carry them offensively.
Fun fact, courtesy CFBstats.com: Webb has completed 80 percent of his passes (36 of 45) on second downs this year. He’s also thrown less on second downs (45) than first downs (53) and third downs (67).
Most disappointing position group would go to the secondary.
No team in the nation has allowed more 30-plus-yard passing plays than KU this year (18). The blame for that at least partially falls to the secondary, which had high expectations coming into the year with returners like Bradley McDougald, Keeston Terry and Greg Brown.
OK, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?
**TK:** Texas 42, Kansas 21.
The Longhorns have struggled offensively, but now they get to see what it’s like to run pass plays when not pressured into hurrying.
**JN:** I’m going with Texas 52, Kansas 14.
In his two years as KU coach, Gill has yet to figure out a way to get his teams to play well on the road. The Jayhawks are 0-7 away from Memorial Stadium under Gill, and in two road games this year, KU has allowed 68 points per game (and it could have been more had Oklahoma State not taken out its starters in the second quarter).
It’s just too much of a stretch for me to believe that KU will change its recent history and have success in a tough environment like Darrell K Royal Stadium.
All right, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?
**TK:** Tony Pierson.
With Texas blitzing so much, the quick Pierson is just the guy to make the Longhorns pay for bringing so much heat by slipping through small openings.
**JN:** I’ll go with Greg Brown.
Texas will try to throw against KU, and I just can’t help but think KU will pick off a pass or two from an inexperienced Longhorns quarterback, whether it’s freshman David Ash or sophomore Case McCoy.
Brown’s the best bet for an interception, so I’ll go with my gut and take him as the Hawk to Rock.
Predictions tally (through seven games)
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**Tom:** 6-1 record.
**Jesse:** 6-1 record.
Hawk to Rock
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**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)
**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)
Kansas running back Anthony Pierson turns up field and leaves McNeese State free safety Brandon Robinson in the dust during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Kivisto Field.
