College football Week 8 picks: Minnesota vs. Iowa, Penn State vs. Ohio State, Wisconsin vs. Illinois

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. Here are the picks for Saturday, Oct. 21 (this is the Cyclones’ bye week).

Minnesota (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) at No. 24 Iowa (6-1, 3-1)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC)

Mike Hlas (2-1 last week, 13-8 overall) — Conspiracy theorists in a cult called QBaconAnon think the original Floyd of Rosedale still is alive. They’re oinking crazy. Iowa 4, Minnesota 2

John Steppe (0-3, 13-8) — Last week was a rough one for me in the Pick ‘ems. 0-3 … Now I know how Bears fans feel. Iowa 13, Minnesota 10

Jeff Johnson (0-3, 14-7) — Iowa can win the remainder of its games. It also could realistically lose any of them. Weird. Iowa 20, Minnesota 10

Rob Gray (2-1, 15-6) — Can the rowboat create enough offense to overcome the Hawkeyes’ defense and special teams scoring? I doubt it. Iowa 17, Minnesota 7

Beth Malicki (1-2, 13-8) — Ohio canceled me after last week’s Pick ’Ems. I thought my pithy, edgy comments were only a gift for those in Eastern Iowa who subscribe to The Gazette. I was wrong. They are broadcast on social media. Iowa 20 Minnesota 13

Todd Brommelkamp (1-2, 10-11) — The Hawks are like your first car. They somehow get from Point A to Point B, they’re not fancy and there is likely to be plenty of swearing involved when things inevitably break down. Iowa 21, Minnesota 14

No. 7 Penn State (6-0, 3-0) at No. 3 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0)

11 a.m. Saturday (Fox)

Hlas — The Big Ten East and its fancy forward passes. Show-offs. Penn State 28, Ohio State 24

Steppe — James Franklin is 1-8 against Ohio State. That’s close to my record of convincing myself, “Hey, I really don’t need to go to Culver’s.” Ohio State 31, Penn State 23

Johnson — All my neighbors have failed me, so I have turned to friend Sam, who is as avid of a Gazette reader as there is. He says “The Horseshoe will not be very lucky for the Buckeyes this time. The Nittany Lions will come in roaring for a victory.” He’s bucking for my job. Penn State 24, Ohio State 17

Gray — On paper, the Buckeyes clearly have the edge. In practice, they do, as well. Penn State is an also-ran atop the Big Ten until the Nittany Lions prove otherwise. Ohio State 31, Penn State 20

Malicki — My disparaging comments of Cincinnati apparently made it to the far corners of the state and their wrath was swift and cruel … and depressingly uninspired. Penn State 28, Ohio State 24

Brommelkamp — Ryan Day implies the existence of Ryan Night. Ohio State 24, Penn State 21

Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1) at Illinois (3-4, 1-3)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (FS1)

Hlas — I heard some news late last night that is going to be life-changing for most of you, and I’m thrilled to share it. A reliable source says (Continued on page 13E). Illinois 12, Wisconsin 11

Steppe — I grew up in Wisconsin, but I drive like someone from Illinois. Illinois 23, Wisconsin 20

Johnson — I’ve got nothing here. Absolutely nothing. Other than a score. Wisconsin 21, Illinois 7

Gray — Finally, a laugher that — and most fans of Big Ten West football can attest — isn’t much fun to watch (see the first entry). Wisconsin 28, Illinois 13

Malicki — Was the hate of a state I used to live in worth it? Yes. Because Iowa State won so HA! Wisconsin 27, Illinois 21

Brommelkamp — How does Illinois have trophy games with Purdue and Ohio State, but not the Badgers? Wisconsin 20, Illinois 16