College football Week 5 picks: Iowa State vs. Houston, Wisconsin vs. USC, Georgia vs. Alabama

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems for Week 5 of the 2024 college football season, including Iowa State’s Big 12 opener at Houston and Wisconsin’s trip to USC.

No. 18 Iowa State (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) at Houston (1-3, 0-1)

6 p.m. Saturday (FS1)

Line: Iowa State -16

Mike Hlas (3-0, 10-2) — Imagine if a group of people dressed as historical figures like George Washington, Cleopatra and Albert Einstein burst onto the field and tried to engage the players in trivia about world history. The moment would be a delightful blend of sports and education. ISU 24, Houston 7

John Steppe (2-1, 10-2) — Houston might have a problem. ISU 24, Houston 7

Jeff Johnson (3-0, 10-2) — It’s mid-Tuesday afternoon, I click on the University of Houston’s athletics website, and the entire page says “Battle Of The Cats. Countdown To Kickoff. Cincinnati vs. Houston.” Umm, that was last week’s game. ISU 31, Houston 3

Rob Gray (2-1, 10-2) — The Cougars have athletes and an above-average defense that could make it tough on the Cyclones early. I still expect ISU to cover with a balanced offensive performance and another takeaway-packed defensive effort. ISU 27, Houston 9

Beth Malicki (2-1, 9-3) — The frantic clean that comes before in-laws visit has been matched by an adult child returning home. The stress of those Prodigal Son parents, I cannot imagine. ISU 30, Houston 16

Todd Brommelkamp (2-1, 8-4) — Houston’s offense makes Brian Ferentz’s last two seasons in Iowa City look like basketball on grass. I guess you could say the Cougars are on the (Willie) Fritz. ISU 30, Houston 8

Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 13 USC (2-1, 0-1)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS)

Line: USC -15.5

Hlas — Imagine if Wisconsin brought a special cheer squad to Los Angeles made up entirely of trained squirrels. USC fans would be bewildered, thinking they’ve entered a new reality show called “Squirrel Football Frenzy.” USC 28, Wisconsin 14

Steppe — I’ll be in my home state this weekend. What’s the over/under on how many hours before I consume cheese curds, Spotted Cow or both? USC 38, Wisconsin 21

Johnson — Read a New York Times story this week on how Wisconsin may be becoming Nebraska. You know, former national power continuing to fade into anonymity. Any Badgers fans out there want to discuss that theory? USC 35, Wisconsin 17

Gray — Luke Fickell’s evolving offense could pose problems for the unranked, but talented Trojans in the storied Los Angeles Coliseum. The Badgers may not have the playmakers to pull off an upset, but they will keep it close. USC 24, Wisconsin 20

Malicki — New rankings put USC 27th in the nation according to the US News and World Report ... UW-Madison is 39th. Also, rankings are dumb. USC 27, Wisconsin 13

Brommelkamp — Three things the Badgers and their fans will have a hard time locating in the Coliseum: Good brats, fresh cheese curds and points. That last item is most problematic. USC 34, Wisconsin 10

No. 2 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 4 Alabama (3-0, 0-0)

6:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC)

Line: Georgia -1

Hlas — Imagine if Alabama’s marching band plays “East Bound and Down” from “Smokey and the Bandit.” The players might pretend they’re in a high-speed chase rather than a football game. The announcer might shout “Forget the playbook, we’re all about that trucker vibe today!” Georgia 28, Alabama 17

Steppe — I never knew until last week’s Pick ’Ems that Hlas had such good taste in music. Alabama 24, Georgia 21

Johnson — Are the combined player payrolls (yes, I’m using the word I want to use here, not NIL) here more or less than your average NFL team? Alabama 28, Georgia 24

Gray — Good luck to the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide in stopping the No. 2 Bulldogs’ quarterback, Carson Beck, who has thrown seven touchdown passes and zero interceptions this season. Beck will eventually be a top-three NFL Draft pick and enjoys an embarrassment of riches in terms of targets, while lurking behind a strong rushing attack. Georgia 34, Alabama 27

Malicki — May Helene break apart before hitting this part of the country. Georgia 24, Alabama 20

Brommelkamp — I’ve really enjoyed Nick Saban in his new television role. I’m sure he enjoys the fact this game is no longer his problem. There’s a reason the Tide are a home dog for the first time since 2007. Georgia 24, Alabama 18