Iowa vs. Iowa State predictions: Gazette Pick ‘Ems for Sept. 7, 2024 college football games

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems for Week 2 of the 2024 college football season, headlined by Saturday’s Cy-Hawk game.

Iowa State (1-0) at No. 21 Iowa (1-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS)

Line: Iowa -3

Mike Hlas (2-1) — Saturday is 9/7. If that’s the score of this game, I’ll legally change my name to “Silver Fox.” I’m already called that, anyway. Iowa 9, Iowa State 7

John Steppe (3-0) — Hooray for (not driving back from) Ames (at 11 p.m. this year). Iowa 20, Iowa State 17

Steppe’s analysis: 3 keys to the game for the Hawkeyes

Jeff Johnson (3-0) — I’ve got nothing pithy or clever to say here. Just think it could be a really, REALLY good game. Iowa 28, Iowa State 27

Rob Gray (3-0) — Points — as always — will be at a premium, and home field (despite ISU’s recent success at Kinnick) tips the scales. Iowa 20, Iowa State 17

Gray’s analysis: 3 keys to the game for the Cyclones

Beth Malicki (2-1) — I would like to get a dog but it’s not in the cards. So I’m walking friends’ pets and dog sitting until I wear my husband down or the urge passes. Iowa 24, Iowa State 20

Todd Brommelkamp (2-1) — If you were born in 1935 and died in 1976 you never saw these two teams meet on the gridiron. There’s also no way you should be reading this right now. Iowa 24, Iowa State 14

Cornell at Coe

1 p.m. Saturday (Team1Sports)

Hlas — The first Coe-Cornell football game was in 1891. Cows had to be driven off Cornell’s pasture before the game could start. Then things got weird. (Continued on Page 13E). Coe 35, Cornell 21

Steppe — Coe gets a few extra points here for letting me stay there for very cheap when I was a Gazette intern (which I think also was the last time we updated my headshot). Coe 55, Cornell 7

Johnson — I’ll give $5 to anyone on this panel if they pick Cornell. Except Malicki. She’s already got that TV money. Coe 42, Cornell 14

Gray — The Kohawks own a 23-game winning streak in the series and few of those games in that span have been close. That won’t change. Coe 42, Cornell 17

Malicki — Fall is the most sigma of all the seasons, as the sweaters and warm cider give off rizzler vibes. For me, winter is skibidi because I dress for comfort and am never accused of mogging. If you understood any of that you have a teenager in your life. Congrats and I’m sorry. Coe 42, Cornell 13

Brommelkamp — Everyone is entitled to a bad 25-year run from time to time. Party like it’s 1999. Cornell 23, Coe 21

No. 3 Texas (1-0) at No. 10 Michigan (1-0)

11 a.m. Saturday (Fox)

Line: Texas -7

Hlas — Michigan is one of nine Big Ten states with legalized recreational marijuana. Texas has Willie Nelson. Texas 31, Michigan 21

Steppe — No deciphering necessary to make this pick. Texas 27, Michigan 14

Johnson — As I do these picks while watching a Cedar Rapids Kernels game, the consensus is that Texas will win. So … Michigan 28, Texas 24

Gray — The Wolverines own the nation’s longest active winning streak by far at 16 and despite losing several key pieces from last season’s national championship team still are formidable, especially at home. But Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers enjoys an array of weapons at wide receiver and tight end — and the defense has improved dramatically. Texas 27, Michigan 23

Malicki — This is my annual disclaimer about these Pick ’Ems. My husband chooses the winner and score while I offer the brilliant commentary. And all negative feedback should go to Mike Hlas. Texas 27. Michigan 17

Brommelkamp — Take Michigan and the points. They shouldn’t win outright but the Wolverines will frustrate Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns for much of this one. Texas 21, Michigan 16