College football Week 4 picks: Iowa vs. Penn State, Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State, Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

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.

No. 24 Iowa (3-0) at No. 7 Penn State (3-0)

6:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS)

Mike Hlas (2-1 last week, 6-3 overall) — You all know the biggest pencil in the world is Pennsylvania. But why do pencils shave? To stay sharp. I’d tell you about a broken pencil, but there’s no point. Don’t trust people who use pencils to draw. They’re sketchy. Penn State 31, Iowa 28

John Steppe (2-1, 7-2) — Penn State was founded in 1855 as “The Farmers High School.” This Penn State team sure doesn’t play like a high school team. Penn State 27, Iowa 20

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3 keys, prediction for Iowa football against Penn State

Jeff Johnson (2-1, 7-2) — Hawkeyes secret weapon Max White is gonna need to have a big game. In all seriousness, how great is that story? Penn State 24, Iowa 10

Rob Gray (2-1, 5-5) — There have been so many great games played between the Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions since the latter joined the Big Ten in 1990. Some have been thrilling — like Iowa’s 42-35 overtime win in Happy Valley in 2002. Most have been low-scoring (remember the 6-4 Hawkeye win in 2004?). I peg this matchup as something in between those extremes. Penn State 20, Iowa 16

Beth Malicki (2-1, 7-2) — Being a parent of teens means finding things you wish you hadn’t (moldy plates under beds) and losing things you knew you had (time, financial security, sanity). Penn State 27, Iowa 14

Todd Brommelkamp (2-1, 5-4) — Adrian Clayborn isn’t blocking any punts in this one. He’s 35 and out of eligibility. Penn State 23, Iowa 10

Oklahoma State (2-1) at Iowa State (1-2)

3 p.m. Saturday (FS1)

Hlas — Aren’t the Cyclones a little old to be playing Cowboys? Iowa State 24, Oklahoma State 20

Steppe — Oklahoma State just lost by 26 to South Alabama. I’ll buy 26 beers for my Gazette colleagues if Iowa State loses this. OK, maybe not that many. Iowa State 17, Oklahoma State 9

Johnson — Considering last week’s results for these teams, an Ohio-South Alabama matchup would be much more entertaining. Iowa State 7, Oklahoma State 6

Gray — The Cowboys are apparently sticking with a three-quarterback rotation. The Cyclones claim they’ll take great pains to establish their running game despite a lack of success through three games. Wild card: Potentially stormy and windy weather. I expect both teams to change up their offenses more than either coach is letting on, but just how much and in what ways? Therein lies the intrigue, if you can call it that. Oklahoma State 13, Iowa State 10

Malicki — Matt Campbell continues to impress me as the human he is. Even when he lost his cool with a heckling fan, he later responded with regret and a lesson for us all ... reflection and humility matter. Iowa State 17, Oklahoma State 13

Brommelkamp — Is it me or is Matt Campbell a little sensitive lately? Iowa State 21, Oklahoma State 13

No. 6 Ohio State (3-0) at No. 9 Notre Dame (4-0)

6:30 p.m. (NBC)

Hlas — Were it up to me, I’d send a lot more long-range weapons and armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. I can’t stand that Putin. Having said that, speak well of me after I fall 12 stories out of a window under suspicious circumstances next week. Notre Dame 31, Ohio State 24

Steppe — Notre Dame is not a bad academic institution for those who couldn’t get into Marquette. Ohio State 38, Notre Dame 31

Johnson — You know how to get to South Bend, right? Drive to Bend, then turn south. Notre Dame 27, Ohio State 24

Gray — It’s hard to believe these two prestigious programs have faced each other just five times — and all of those meetings have come since 1995. It’s not that hard to believe the Buckeyes are 5-0 all-time against the Fighting Irish, but it is somewhat surprising each of those wins has come by double digits. On second thought, I guess that’s not so surprising, given the time frame, I guess. Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 17

Malicki — The celebration for my grandma’s 80th birthday this week was epic. May all of us know adventure, love and faith as she does. Notre Dame 27, Ohio State 21

Brommelkamp — At the rate things are going, this’ll be an SEC game in under six years. Notre Dame 30, Ohio State 24