The picks

Iowa at Ohio State

MARC MOREHOUSE - Depending on your point of view, Urban Meyer is a villain from a “Die Hard” movie or the true heartbeat of the “A Team.” OSU 34, Iowa 13

MIKE HLAS - If you're a 109-year-old Hawkeyes fan, today is probably your last chance to see Iowa win in Columbus. OSU 38, Iowa 21

SCOTT DOCHTERMAN - Hawkeyes are 2-19 at the Horseshoe since Forest Evashevski beat Woody Hayes in 1959. OSU 34, Iowa 13

SCOTT SAVILLE - The Buckeyes have won 18 straight for a reason. OSU 28, Iowa 14

BETH MALICKI - With the shutdown over and the debt ceiling moving northward, I can finally get back to avoiding CSPAN and consuming my political news through social media. OSU 31, Iowa 17

BOB BROOKS - I'm sure you readers know I always pick Iowa, no matter. How can I rationalize an Iowa victory in Columbus? This way: OSU has won 18 straight games. It has to lose some time. Iowa 30, OSU 29

NICK PUGLIESE – I think Hawkeyes cover the spread but fall short of the upset. OSU 28, Iowa 20

J.R. OGDEN – Stranger things have happened, like Bob Brooks actually picking against the Hawks once, but not today. OSU 38, Iowa 17

JEFF JOHNSON – Not even if Marv Cook showed up in uniform in Columbus. OSU 38, Iowa 10

JEREMIAH DAVIS – It's hard to know exactly what to make of this Hawkeye team, but what we do know is Iowa has had issues with scrambling quarterbacks. With Braxton Miller on the other side, the Hawkeyes are going to have trouble. OSU 27, Iowa 20

SAM LOUWAGIE – Could get ugly. OSU 33, Iowa 13

ROB GRAY – Up-tempo Urban Meyer won't let a better but still work-in-progress Hawkeye team catch its breath. OSU 31, Iowa 17

Iowa State at Baylor

MOREHOUSE - If victory feels like that Pringle in the bottom of the can that you just can't reach, ISU fans, because it has been the last few weeks. Baylor 51, ISU 28

HLAS - Iowa State's all-time Big 12 record is 40-100. Baylor's is 30-110. The gap narrows a little today. Baylor 56, ISU 28

DOCHTERMAN - Baylor is 10-1 since losing to Iowa State last year. Iowa State is 2-7. Funny things happen in sports sometimes. ISU 55, Baylor 51

SAVILLE - The Bears' high powered offense is a bad matchup for a struggling Iowa State defense. Baylor 54, ISU 34

MALICKI - KCRG turned 60. John Campbell had only been here 10 years when the TV station started, Scott Saville was an intern. Baylor 38, ISU 20

BROOKS - Cyclones are in that mode of playing foes exciting and close, but not getting the ‘W'. ISU will make it much closer than the spread. Baylor 30, ISU 21

PUGLIESE – Are they playing basketball or football at Baylor? Baylor 66, ISU 41

OGDEN – Bears can fly and Cyclones have no ground-to-air defense. Baylor 59, ISU 40

JOHNSON – This one could get ugly. Baylor 63, ISU 10

DAVIS – Stranger things have happened, but with 700-plus yards and 63.4 points per game, the likelihood of the Cyclones going to Waco and slowing the Bears' offense is slim. Iowa State covers the 33.5 point spread, but goes to 1-5. Baylor 55, ISU 35

LOUWAGIE – Points! Baylor 56, ISU 42

GRAY – No upset special pick this week after two straight narrow misses. The Bears are just too dadgum fast. Baylor 45, ISU 27

USC at Notre Dame

MOREHOUSE - Lane Kiffin loved to use helicopters in recruiting. They probably won't have those at Southern Northern State Tech, his next gig. Notre Dame 23, USC 21

HLAS - I spent last Saturday partying in Cuba. Or did I stay home? I've got to start writing this stuff down. Notre Dame 19, USC 17

DOCHTERMAN - I wonder if NBC College GameDay will be live from South Bend? Notre Dame 27, USC 24

SAVILLE - Maybe it will work this time. Lucky Charms are magically delicious. Notre Dame 21, USC 17

MALICKI - My apologies to Ashley Hinson, a USC alum, but Notre Dame is gonna kick your tail! Notre Dame 24, USC 20

BROOKS - If USC was playing at home, I'd pick 'em. Notre Dame not a national power yet, but have that home-field advantage. Notre Dame 24, USC 21

PUGLIESE – Where will Lane Kiffin end up coaching next? Notre Dame 24, USC 14

OGDEN – Remember when this game used to matter? Notre Dame 28, USC 17

JOHNSON – No smart retorts here, mostly because these are two teams I love seeing lose. Notre Dame 24, USC 14

DAVIS – This game lacks the luster of past years, with former stars on both sides gone or injured. This pick is based on two things: One, it's in South Bend, home of Touchdown Jesus. Two, USC is an utter mess right now. The Irish win this one. Notre Dame 31, USC 20

LOUWAGIE – Irish are favored by 1.5. They cover, I guess. Notre Dame 23, USC 21

GRAY – Two OK teams. A classic game. Why not? Notre Dame 38, USC 35 (2OT).