College football Week 1 picks: Iowa vs. Utah State, Iowa State vs. UNI, Rutgers vs. Northwestern

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel returns for the 2023 college football season.

Utah State at Iowa

11 a.m. Saturday (FS1)

Mike Hlas — Ten possessions, 10 touchdowns. The Brian-o-Meter will be whirling Saturday. Iowa 70, Utah State 7

John Steppe — What’s the over/under on traffic delays as cars funnel their way through one lane on Riverside Drive? Iowa 27, Utah State 3

Jeff Johnson — Does Brian Ferentz get to round up on this 25-point performance objective thing for the offense? Just asking. Iowa 24.9, Utah State 3.

Rob Gray — The Aggies ain’t those SEC Aggies, therefore should be pretty easy to topple for the Hawkeyes. If Cade McNamara is “that guy” at quarterback, Iowa could have a special season. Iowa 31, Utah State 10

Beth Malicki — The talent on the field extends beyond the football players. The Iowa Dance Team is one of the best in the nation and an alumna just made the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Iowa 33, Utah State 17

Todd Brommelkamp — Don’t panic. Those things you’ll see on the scoreboard Saturday? Those are called points. There should be a lot of them (by Iowa’s standard anyway). Iowa 38, Utah State 6

UNI at Iowa State

1 p.m. Saturday (ESPN+)

Hlas — If we’ve learned anything from the recent sports-betting fallout with the Iowa State and Iowa teams, it’s this: There’s still a place in this world for discreet bookies. Iowa State 17, UNI 14

Steppe — You could say Iowa State is taking a gamble by possibly starting a freshman at QB. Too soon? Iowa State 26, UNI 10

Johnson — My sources indicate Northern Iowa is on the Big Ten’s radar if it wants to expand. Iowa State 28, UNI 14

Gray — The Big 12 is replete with accomplished quarterbacks, but it’s likely the Panthers’ Theo Day will be one of the best playcallers the Cyclones face in 2023. Good thing for ISU that its secondary is stacked with talent. Iowa State 27, UNI 13

Malicki — These players are now my kids’ ages and I just really want everyone to win, get a juice box and make good choices for the rest of the school year. Iowa State 19, UNI 13

Brommelkamp — Keep your helmets handy. We’re all listed on the Cyclones’ depth chart at running back with an OR behind our names. Iowa State 24, UNI 17

Northwestern at Rutgers

11 a.m. Sunday (CBS)

Hlas — Being required to make a quip about a Northwestern-Rutgers game along with several people I don’t even know. It’s not rock bottom, but I can see it from here. Rutgers 22, Northwestern 11

Steppe — Big Ten football at its finest. This is what CBS spent the big bucks to get. Rutgers 24, Northwestern 17

Johnson — I won last year’s Pick ’Ems, which allowed me to enter the transfer portal looking for a bigger NIL deal. I got none, so I guess I’m back again. Rutgers 56, Northwestern 0.

Gray — Two of the Big Ten’s biggest market teams tangle in a season-opening game no one else will care about. Consider me intrigued (though I may be fibbing). Northwestern 14, Rutgers 12

Malicki — Hot tip in case you’re reading these Pick ’Ems for help with your sports gambling: don’t. I haven’t a clue and often beat these other guys. Rutgers 28, Northwestern 21

Brommelkamp — Welcome to the Big Ten family, CBS! The ink is dry. There’s nothing you can do to avoid airing this one. Rutgers 27, Northwestern 7