College football Week 6 picks: Purdue vs. Iowa, TCU vs. Iowa State, Oklahoma vs. Texas

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel has score predictions for three games every week during the college football season, including the Iowa and Iowa State games.

Purdue (2-3, 1-1) at Iowa (4-1, 1-1)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (Peacock)

Mike Hlas (2-1 last week, 10-5 overall) — I’m not subscribing to Peacock for this or any other game. I already get Vulture and Crow. Iowa 25, Purdue 17

John Steppe (2-1, 12-3) — Things I’m thankful for (in no particular order) ... cheese curds, our subscribers, good hiking trails and not driving to West Lafayette this year. Iowa 24, Purdue 21

Jeff Johnson (3-0, 12-3) — Checked with the U of I this week to see if I had any eligibility remaining so I could help out at the injury ravaged quarterback and running back positions. Sadly (or thankfully) I do not. Iowa 17, Purdue 13

Rob Gray (3-0, 10-5) — The Deacon Hill era begins for the Hawkeyes, who should be able to find some offense against the struggling Boilermakers. How much, though? Dunno. But should be good enough to win. Iowa 24, Purdue 17

Beth Malicki (2-1, 11-4) — After 18 years here, we’re attending our first Iowa game ever and now I have to go buy something for us to wear. Iowa 20, Purdue 17

Todd Brommelkamp (2-1, 9-6) — Forget receiver or quarterback, can Cooper DeJean play offensive line? Purdue 20, Iowa 17

TCU (3-2, 1-1) at Iowa State (2-3, 1-1)

7 p.m. Saturday (FS1)

Hlas — TCU sounds similar to Tsetse U., where I majored in malaria. TCU 25, Iowa State 21

Steppe — I think the TCU team plane should take a detour to drop off some of Dallas/Fort Worth’s really good gas station tacos for me in Iowa City. TCU 34, Iowa State 20

Johnson — Did you know TCU has the top-ranked women’s equestrian team in the nation? It’s a varsity sport at the school. Iowa State 24, TCU 21

Gray — The Horned Frogs are 0-2 in one-score games this season after winning a slew of them en route to a rout in the national championship game last season. The Cyclones’ mostly young defense stands at a crossroads after being torched by Oklahoma last week. How will they respond? Pretty well, I’d expect, based on defensive coordinator Jon Heacock’s track record. ISU’s offense does just enough to eke out a mild upset. Iowa State 31, TCU 28

Malicki — I really want Iowa State to win this and then I can hold the wrong pick over my husband’s head and reap the rewards. TCU 42, Iowa State 38

Brommelkamp — Every team should have at least one player named Rocco on its roster. TCU 26, Iowa State 23

No. 12 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0) vs. No. 3 Texas (5-0, 2-0)

11 a.m. Saturday (ABC)

Hlas — Things I like about Texas: Chicken fried steak with cream gravy and the Houston Astros cheating their way to World Series championships. The rest? You can have it, Mexico. Texas 25, Oklahoma 20

Steppe — Texas has Culver’s locations. Oklahoma does not. Seems like a good enough reason to pick the Longhorns. Oh, that, and Texas QB Quinn Ewers’ arm. Texas 41, Oklahoma 28

Johnson — I’ve had my neighbor Jim and neighbor Greg be guest pickers over the years. This week it’s my neighbor Larry. He says bet the farm on this pick. Texas 38, Oklahoma 28

Gray — The Red River Rivalry’s last rendition with both teams as Big 12 members should be one of the most-watched games this season. The No. 3 Longhorns and the 12th-ranked Sooners are the cream of the conference crop and the winner of this matchup likely waltzes to the league title game — and a probable rematch. Oklahoma 38, Texas 35

Malicki — Unpopular opinion: I adore roundabouts and wish they’d replace almost every intersection in the world. Texas 38, Oklahoma 27

Brommelkamp — In an alternate universe, these two are joining the Sun Belt next season. Texas 28, Oklahoma 24