The picks

GAZETTE/KCRG PICK 'EMS Week 14

Iowa at Nebraska

MARC MOREHOUSE - For the tinfoil hat crowd, pretty sure aliens built Carhenge in Alliance, Neb. The Corn Palace, however, was built by real people. Iowa 27, Nebraska 24

MIKE HLAS - Football is one thing. But Iowa had six electoral votes in the last presidential election, while Nebraska had just five. Which can only mean one thing: We mean more! Iowa 38, Nebraska 31 (2 OT)

SCOTT DOCHTERMAN - Winner gets 20 percent off beach attire at the Outback Bowl. Iowa 24, Nebraska 20

SCOTT SAVILLE - Iowa hasn't won in Lincoln since 1943. Was Bruce Aune even born yet? I love the Outback Bowl and I think that is where the winner is headed. Iowa 21, Nebraska 7

BETH MALICKI - Iowa is 3-1 on the road this year and is coming off a solid defensive performance against the Wolverines. If Iowa takes care of the ball, they should get their first win in Lincoln since 1943. Iowa 20, Nebraska 17

BOB BROOKS - This series cannot be classed as a rivalry until Iowa wins. Today will be the day for the healthy Hawkeyes, who have the three best linebackers in the country. Iowa 24, Nebraska 17

NICK PUGLIESE – Last time I was in Lincoln was for a Florida State-Nebraska game in September 1985. The Seminoles won that game, 17-13, and Iowa will do the same. Iowa 17, Nebraska 13

J.R. OGDEN – This has been a big turn-around season for the Hawkeyes, but this is asking too much. Nebraska 21, Iowa 17

JEFF JOHNSON – OK, I'm sold. Iowa's not that bad. Iowa 24, Nebraska 14

JEREMIAH DAVIS – The Hawkeyes haven't won in Lincoln since 1943, but the stadium and team aren't the same anymore. Iowa gets a road win in what's becoming a pretty heated rivalry. Iowa 24, Nebraska 17

ROB GRAY – Ameer Abdullah's awfully good. So is the Hawkeyes' run defense. As long as there are no fake punts, balmy bowl temps could be ensured. Iowa 21, Nebraska 20

Iowa State at West Virginia

MOREHOUSE - MTV had a reality show set in West Virginia. There was a character who went by the name of “Bluefoot.” He was about what you'd expect. West Virginia 31, ISU 21

HLAS - Football is one thing. But Iowa had six electoral votes in the last presidential election, while West Virginia had just five. Which can only mean one thing: We mean more! ISU 38, West Virginia 31 (2 OT)

DOCHTERMAN - Winner gets to start a fire at both goal posts. ISU 23, West Virginia 17

SAVILLE - This is a bowl game for both teams. Iowa State still is playing hard and is excited about this game. ISU 34, West Virginia 28

MALICKI - Thought I'd shake things up with my prior Iowa comments. I'm taking a page from one of the great constants in life, Bob Brooks, and focusing on the sport. West Virginia 34, ISU 20

BROOKS - Glad to see the Cyclones win against Kansas. This, though, is a trip into strange country and I think ISU will have difficulty with the Mountaineers. West Virginia 28, ISU 21

PUGLIESE – Sad end to a sad season for the Cyclones. West Virginia 28, ISU 21

OGDEN – Let's put a wrap on this dismal season at Iowa State. West Virginia 28, ISU 21

JOHNSON – Back-to-back wins to end a dismal season would be great for the Clones. ISU 48, West Virginia 42

DAVIS – Why not? In this bizarre, unpredictable season, wouldn't it make complete sense for the Cyclones to end the year with back-to-back wins? Getting a winning feeling against Kansas might be what ISU needed. ISU 27, West Virginia 20

GRAY – Incredibly, a win for the Cyclones makes it possible, via tiebreakers, to finish eighth in the league - up one from last season. ISU 23, West Virginia 21

Ohio State at Michigan

MOREHOUSE - This will be a raw chicken being fed to an alligator. The nail has a better chance against the hammer. Ohio State 45, Michigan 14

HLAS - Saville was shirtless on his sportscast again the other night. At some point, the FCC has to do something, right? Ohio State 38, Michigan 31 (2 OT)

DOCHTERMAN - Remember when Michigan regularly ruined Ohio State's season? Seriously, that used to happen. Ohio State 35, Michigan 20

SAVILLE - This one is a no brainer. Ohio State 34, Michigan 14

MALICKI - I win no matter what with this pick. If Ohio State falls, my Mizzou Tigers have a better shot at a national title. If Ohio State wins, I get a sliver of redemption in a pretty pathetic pick 'ems season. Ohio State 28, Michigan 20

BROOKS - If the Buckeyes are going to challenge for the national title game, they have to win big at Michigan. Ohio State playing its best right now. Michigan probably playing it worsts. Ohio State 40, Michigan 28

PUGLIESE – There's no way Wolverines can beat the Buckeyes today, but wouldn't you love to see it. Ohio State 28, Michigan 10

OGDEN – Love that nail has a better chance with a hammer line, Morehouse. Ohio State 60, Michigan 10

JOHNSON – Michigan's just not that good. Ohio State 42, Michigan 20

DAVIS – Woof. This could be real bad. Urban Meyer and Co. seem headed for a second straight undefeated season, and this rivalry game is a small stepping stone. Ohio State 34, Michigan 10

GRAY – Remember when fans figured Oklahoma would crush Texas in this season's Red River Shootout? They'll be right this time. Ohio State 38, Michigan 13