College football Week 5 picks: Michigan State vs. Iowa, Iowa State vs. Oklahoma, Illinois vs. Purdue

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.

Michigan State (2-2, 0-1) at Iowa (3-1, 0-1)

6:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC)

Mike Hlas (2-1 last week, 8-4 overall) — I was in the Southern Hemisphere when Iowa played Penn State last Saturday. That wasn’t far enough away. Iowa 24, Michigan State 9

John Steppe (3-0, 10-2) — These night games give me plenty of time in the morning to think about cleaning and doing dishes ... before finding an excuse to push it off until Sunday. Iowa 20, Michigan State 6

Jeff Johnson (2-1, 9-3) — I’ll spare you all the doom and gloom talk about the Iowa offense. Well, almost ... Iowa 3, Michigan State 2

Rob Gray (2-1, 7-5) — The Spartans are searching for a permanent head coach and the Hawkeyes are searching for an offense. Actually, both teams are among the Big Ten’s worst (11th and 12th, respectively) in rushing offense, but Michigan State’s passing game has a pulse. Iowa’s obviously does not. But the Hawkeyes’ defense — last week’s debacle in Happy Valley notwithstanding — tips the scales here. Iowa 20, Michigan State 14

Beth Malicki (2-1, 9-3) — Night games require a kind of tailgate commitment I don’t have in me anymore. Promise me you’ll hydrate and wear sunscreen. Iowa 20, Michigan State 17

Todd Brommelkamp (2-1, 7-5) — My dad would never make me the laughingstock of college football. He’s also been dead for four years so you win some, you lose some. Iowa 20, Michigan State 9

Iowa State (2-2, 1-0) at No. 14 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0)

6 p.m. Saturday (FS1)

Hlas — The writers’ strike ended this week, so scabs like myself are headed back to our regular jobs as lumberjacks, bathroom attendants, and members of Congress. Oklahoma 28, Iowa State 13

Steppe — The parking meter was apparently invented in Oklahoma, so I have the Sooners to thank for those parking tickets from the UI? Oklahoma 34, Iowa State 13

Johnson — Norman, Okla., was named after Abner Norman, the original land surveyor of the town. I’m here to educate, as well as entertain. Oklahoma 35, Iowa State 14

Gray — Each of the Cyclones’ past eight meetings with the Sooners have been decided by 10 or fewer points — and ISU’s won two of the past seven after suffering through an 18-game skid in the series. This one hinges on which offense can make the most big plays and the Crimson and Cream have the edge in that regard. It likely won’t be a stress-free jaunt for the home team, however — and that 20-point Vegas line (as of Thursday afternoon) is way too high. Oklahoma 28, Iowa State 20

Malicki — My nickname in high school was “thesaurus.” They even made me a T-shirt. My other nickname “Hickey Malicki” was only due to it rhyming and I thankfully didn’t get any mementos. Oklahoma 38, Iowa State 19

Brommelkamp — Is Oklahoma’s DC Bizarro World Brian Ferentz? The Sooners have given up just 34 points through three games. Oklahoma 28, Iowa State 23

Illinois (2-2, 0-1) at Purdue (1-3, 0-1)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (Peacock)

Hlas — Dating Taylor Swift got me nothing but aggravation. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re just another picture to burn,” she wrote after I broke up with her. Immature! Lotsa luck, Travis Kelce. Illinois 14, Purdue 13

Steppe — The cannon that Illinois and Purdue play for is no longer functional — what better symbol for Big Ten West offenses? Illinois 20, Purdue 17

Johnson — Of all the schools in the Big Ten West, these are certainly two of them. Purdue 24, Illinois 23

Gray — The Big Ten’s two worst scoring defenses square off in what will likely be a season-defining game for the loser. Give me the Boilermakers in a wild game. Elite playmaker Deion Burks has a day. Purdue 34, Illinois 31

Malicki — The one college essay I helped my daughter write received these criticisms from the editor: “Seems like writing exhausts you and each segment is disjointed ... like Frankenstein.” Guess I don’t have to help anymore. Illinois 42, Purdue 38

Brommelkamp — “Bet net weights” Is an anagram for “The Big Ten West.” No further comment. Illinois 30, Purdue 24