GAMEDAY: Hawkeyes cruise past ULM, 45-17

IOWA CITY --The Hawkeyes capped off their non-conference schedule with a dominant 45-17 win over Louisiana-Monroe today at Kinnick Stadium.

James Vandenberg had another big day, continuing his stellar performance at the end of the Pitt game, as he finished with 270 yards and three touchdowns. Vandenberg threw two touchdowns to Marvin McNutt, who is now only one touchdown shy of tying the school career record.

Vandenberg also ran one touchdown in from a yard out on a quarterback sneak.

Marcus Coker finished with 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

You can catch all the action and comments from our stellar team of reporters by replaying our live chat below.

Our team of writers also will be updating their blogs throughout the day, with pre-game, in-game and post-game stories and thoughts.

Also check out our photo gallery from today's game.

Here's where to look:

For Marc Morehouse, go to http://thegazette.com/category/blogs/on-iowa/

Follow Mike Hlas at http://thegazette.com/category/blogs/the-hlog/

Or see what Scott Dochterman has to say at http://thegazette.com/category/blogs/docs-office/

Here is our expanded panel of experts for TheGazette.com pick 'ems:

THE GAZETTE.COM PICK ‘EMS/Week 4

Louisiana-Monroe at Iowa

Marc Morehouse - A cynic would say that “Louisiana Monroe” sounds like it could be a Jeff Dunham puppet or a poker player. A cynic would say that. – Iowa 38, ULM 17

Mike Hlas - No, Louisiana Monroe isn't in the same conference as Alabama Jethro, Texas Joe Bob, and Mississippi Mudflap. Iowa 31, ULM 21

Nick Pugliese - Nice of Iowa to schedule an exhibition game in the middle of the season. Iowa 51, ULM 7

John Campbell - Malicki has confirmed that Louisiana Monroe, is in Monroe, La. That is good enough for me. Iowa 35, ULM 10

Beth Malicki - As predicted in last week's pick ‘ems I won a baby shower game. I'm the proud owner of a $5 Starbuck's gift card and anti-bacterial french vanilla-scented hand soap. Cheaters don't win Grandma Shirley! Iowa 34, ULM 10

Bob Brooks - You take a look at the Big Ten stats and Iowa is all over the board. Nothing consistent. However, after last week, Iowa certainly is ready to make its run. Iowa 40, ULM 7

J.R. Ogden – The dog days of summer are over. Apparently these are the dog days of fall. Iowa 45, ULM 10

Jeff Johnson –Actually been to the ULM campus. The thing that stood out about it was … nothing. Iowa 42, ULM 20

Rob Gray – Warhawks led TCU 17-14 before falling 38-17 on the road last week. Big day for Marcus Coker and "traditional" Hawkeye offense. Iowa 28, ULM 13

Jeff Linder – No hyphen, I hear, on ULM. No contest, either. Iowa 45, ULM 14.

James Steward – Just dominate this one from the start. Please? Hawks fans can't take three weeks in a row of this stuff. Iowa 31, ULM 10

Mike Condon – The Hawks shouldn't need a fourth quarter miracle this week. Iowa 38, ULM 17

Scott Saville – Are we really picking this game. Iowa 42 ULM 14

John Sears – I've never been to Louisiana but I do know the city of Monroe is named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. It's also home of former Denver Bronco great Bubby Brister. None of this matters. Iowa 31 ULM 13.

Chris Taylor (from The Gazette's Facebook page) – Somewhat fittingly, Monroe is too close for comfort through third quarter, but Hawks pull away in the fourth. Iowa 34, ULM 17

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M

Morehouse - Pretty sure “Mike Sherman” is a Jeff Dunham dummy. Oh no, that's not the bitter Packers fan talking. OSU 48, A&M 35

Hlas - The goal for all major-college teams is to get to a BCS bowl game that has made illegal campaign contributions or has given reimbursements to employees for campaign donations. A&M 42, OSU 40

Pugliese - Texas A&M will show why its an SEC-caliber team. A&M 28, OSU 24

Campbell - As I rub the crystal ball on Monday night, this still is a Big 12 Conference game, gas remains too expensive, and Bob Brooks still is the man. OSU 40, A&M 17

Malicki - I have a vibe on this one. There's love lost in the air. A & M might suggest seeing other people … which always means they already are. OSU 27, A&M 24

Brooks - How can you pick against Boone Pickens? I can't in this case. Look for a close game. OSU 21, A&M 17

Ogden – Should the NCAA be wondering why the spokesperson for OSU is big booster Boone Pickens? Just wondering. A&M 24, OSU 21

Johnson – What the heck conference are these two in? A&M 28, OSU 24

Gray – Expect plenty of offense from Cowboys' explosive spread-based passing game and Aggies' balanced approach. Late turnover seals it. A&M 44, OSU 38

Linder – “I'm a man. I'm 40. And I'm not going to the Pac-12.” Oklahoma State 37, Texas A&M 31.

Steward – SEC fans, get ready to see what The 12th Man can do. You thought LSU was a tough place to visit? This might be the next closest thing. A&M 34, OSU 28

Condon – Aggies at home; Cowboys still catching up on sleep after playing until 3:30 a.m. last week. A&M 42, OSU 39

Saville – Love the Okey State offense. OSU 35, A&M 14

Sears – Ahhhhh, a lovely Big 12 matchup on a wonderful Saturday afternoon. Enjoy it, it could be one of the last. Cowboys are averaging 52 points a game, I don't buy the Aggies. OSU. 35, A&M 23

Taylor – In the border battle between Pac-16 and SEC teams, the visiting Cowboys win a shootout. OSU 45, A&M 42

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh

Morehouse - If you backmask a Jeff Dunham concert listening for dark messages, pretty sure you hear, “No-oh-oh-tre Da-ah-ah-me.” This assumes everyone remembers “backmasking.” No? OK, then. – Notre Dame 34, Pittsburgh 24

Hlas - Two wild rabbits have claimed my backyard as their home. But they may not stay much longer. They have offers to join the Big East. Notre Dame 33, Pitt 28

Pugliese - Pitt hangover from last week plus Notre Dame waking up equals Fighting Irish win. Notre Dame 24, Pitt 17

Campbell - Notre Dame attempts to trade the Gold Dome, the library, and an old leather helmet to Iowa for quarterback James Vandenberg and his receivers has fallen through. Pitt has a chance. Notre Dame 21, Pitt 20

Malicki - Today I'm in St. Louis for another baby shower for the same pregnant relative as last week. Apparently this baby needs to be celebrated in multiple states, which just means more coffee and soap for me. Notre Dame 41, Pitt 20

Brooks - Question, is Pitt good or average? Notre Dame will find out at Heinz Field. The Irish have more firepower than the Panthers. Notre Dame 27, Pitt 23

Ogden – Irish score 21 fourth-quarter points for come-from-behind victory. Wait, that already happened to Pitt. Notre Dame 30, Pitt 28

Johnson – The Irish are back, baby!! Notre Dame 31, Pitt 20

Gray – Pitt faces one heck of a tough rebound game after collapsing against Iowa. Irish control tempo and surge to a second straight win. Notre Dame 27, Pitt 17

Linder – From a Pitt perspective, they blew it. Expect a hangover. Notre Dame 31, Pittsburgh 19.

Steward – The fact ND started 0-2 by melting down in spectacular fashion makes them very dangerous. They took out that frustration on Sparty last week. I expect more of the same. Notre Dame 38, Pitt 20

Condon – Todd Graham's pulled his hamstring last week at Iowa. This week the Irish pull away late with strong passing game. Notre Dame 32, Pittsburgh 27

Saville – The Irish have some confidence now after destroying Michigan State. Notre Dame 35, Pitt 21

Sears – The Irish are still in the national title hunt, according to Lou Holtz. The Panthers are still dazed and confused at what the heck happened in Iowa City. Luck will be on the Irish side. Notre Dame 31 Pitt 21

Taylor – Notre Dame struggles to hold onto the ball again, but overcomes early turnovers by taking advantage of porous Panther pass "defense." Notre Dame 38, Pitt 20