The Picks

Wisconsin at Iowa

MARC MOREHOUSE - Had the pleasure of talking with the Iowa City Quarterback Club this week. Wisconsin Wife knew this and put a sweater out for me to wear. I groggily put it on and didn't realize until I stood up to talk that it was red. Red sweater, room full of rabid Iowa fans, Wisconsin week. Wisconsin Wife got me. Wisconsin 28, Iowa 23

MIKE HLAS - I pose no pretense. This pick is purely to pander. Iowa 24, Wisconsin 21

SCOTT DOCHTERMAN - These two are rightly joined at the hip for infinity, or at least until the next expansion. Wisconsin 31, Iowa 21

SCOTT SAVILLE - Should be a great game played in a phone booth. The Badgers have superman (Melvin Gordon). They grow large men in Wisconsin (beer and cheese). Wisconsin 28, Iowa 24

BETH MALICKI - As a journalist I cannot share my opinions on, well, anything. Except roundabouts. I'm in love with roundabouts. Wisconsin 28, Iowa 24

BOB BROOKS - What a series with both teams winning 42 times. They resume the battle for the Heartland Trophy and I think the Hawks will be able to sweep that bronze bull away. Should be a great game. Iowa 31, Wisconsin 27

NICK PUGLIESE – My daughters and I have had great times at the Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin 24, Iowa 17

J.R. OGDEN – Both teams need this – one for a BCS bowl the other for respectability. BCS bowl wins out. Wisconsin 28, Iowa 24

JEFF JOHNSON – You know what the ‘W' on Wisconsin's helmets stand for? ‘Cheese.' Oh, wait a minute. Wsiconsin 28, Iowa 14

JEREMIAH DAVIS – Yes, Wisconsin is playing well, and yes, the Badgers are favored by 9 ½. But in a season full of surprises where the Hawkeyes are concerned, I'll take them at home in an upset. Iowa 31, Wisconsin 30

SAM LOUWAGIE – A Hawkeye rally falls short. Wisconsin 28, Iowa 24

ROB GRAY – Arizona State debacle notwithstanding, Badgers' D is good. Wisconsin 27, Iowa 14

Iowa State at Kansas State

MOREHOUSE - A chance for ISU to save some face. Kind of like Leatherface from “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” but not quite as literal. Kansas State 31, ISU 21

HLAS - Those beanbag games you see at every college football tailgate involve a total togetherness of body and mind. You drop illusion and see things without distortion created by your own thoughts. Then you throw a beanbag at a hole. Kansas State 42, ISU 24

DOCHTERMAN - Two years ago, ISU played in the Big Apple. Now the Cyclones get a taste of the Little Apple. Kansas State 41, ISU 21

SAVILLE - The banged up Cyclones will give it everything they've got. The Cats are hungry after a 3-4 start and they are at home. Kansas State 28, ISU 17

MALICKI - I finally thought of the most boring city in the world, it's named Manhattan and is not in NY. Kansas State 31, ISU 20

BROOKS - Not a place for the Cyclones to get well. Bill Snyder has Kansas State back on the winning track. Kansas State 25, ISU 17

PUGLIESE – I have driven through Kansas twice. Kansas State 17, ISU 14

OGDEN – As much as I like Paul Rhoads, this is not a good team. Kansas State 34, ISU 14

JOHNSON – Thinking a team of Gazette All-Stars could score a couple touchdowns against the Cyclones. Kansas State 69, ISU 7

DAVIS – Potential trap game for Kansas State? With a road game No. 15 Texas Tech looming, there's a chance Bill Snyder's young team will look past the floundering Cyclones. ISU 24, Kansas State 23

LOUWAGIE – Yikes. Kansas State 44, ISU 20

GRAY – Too much Sams, not enough Sam. Kansas State 31, ISU 21

Michigan at Michigan State

MOREHOUSE - Speaking of scary stuff, you ever see the Paul Bunyan trophy for this game? Super creepy, like a lumberjack version of “Chucky.” The weird stuff we play for. MSU 19, Michigan 16

HLAS - Directions to East Lansing: Go to Lansing. Turn east. Michigan State 20, Michigan 14

DOCHTERMAN - Does the Paul Bunyan Trophy make an appearance in opening credits of “The Sopranos?” Michigan 20, MSU 17

SAVILLE - Spartans will have just enough offense to beat the Wolverines at home. MSU 21, Michigan 17

MALICKI - Took me a good year of living here to figure out the difference between “Iowa” and “Iowa State.” Haven't even attempted to differentiate the Michigans. MSU 20, Michigan 17

BROOKS - Good defense always beats good offense. Michigan State has that, plus Spartans are at home. Michigan will score, but not enough. MSU 21, Michigan 14

PUGLIESE – I have never been to Lansing. MSU 21, Michigan 20

OGDEN – Both teams have their issues, but State has fewer. MSU 31, Michigan 10

JOHNSON – Time to party with Sparty. MSU 28, Michigan 21

DAVIS – The winner of this game (if everything else holds serve) likely gets to play Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. And even though the Spartans are at home, I can't go against history, which says an MSU heartbreak is likely coming. Michigan 31, MSU 28

LOUWAGIE – Wolverines are overrated. MSU 23, Michigan 13

GRAY – Sparty parties like it's not 1999 ... Or 2012. MSU 24, Michigan 21