College football Week 7 picks: Iowa vs. Wisconsin, Iowa State vs. Cincinnati, Oregon vs. Washington

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. Here are the picks for Saturday, Oct. 14.

Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0)

3 p.m. Saturday (Fox)

Mike Hlas (1-2 last week, 11-7 overall) — Unless a streaker rolls a keg of beer across the Camp Randall Stadium field, this game could lack entertainment value. Wisconsin 10, Iowa 9

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John Steppe (1-2, 13-5) — My travel schedule for the 3 p.m. start sadly is not very amenable to my craving for cheese curds and Spotted Cow. Wisconsin 16, Iowa 13

Jeff Johnson (2-1, 14-4) — The forecast Saturday for Madison is breezy and rain. That could affect Iowa’s passing game. Wisconsin 21, Iowa 10

Rob Gray (3-0, 13-5) — The Badgers have “modernized” their offense under first-year head coach Luke Fickell, but on paper it looks a lot like a typical Big Ten attack. That’s because Wisconsin leads the league in average yards rushing per game at 203.6. Unless the Hawkeyes return to form in the turnover margin battle, it could be a long day in Madison. Wisconsin 27, Iowa 17

Beth Malicki (1-2, 12-6) — Our first Iowa game did not disappoint. After a full day of revelry I was in bed by 8 p.m. and didn’t rise until lunch. Wisconsin 27, Iowa 13

Todd Brommelkamp (0-3, 9-9) — Two field goals? A touchdown and missed extra point? Three safeties? The scoring possibilities are endless. Wisconsin 21, Iowa 6

Iowa State (3-3, 2-1 Big 12) at Cincinnati (2-3, 0-2)

11 a.m. Saturday (FS1)

Hlas — The football teams of Iowa State and Cincinnati have never met, yet were thrown together by the Big 12. “Married At First Sight” is in its 17th season on Lifetime. Over two-thirds of its couples that got married are now divorced. Iowa State 24, Cincinnati 21

Steppe — Cincinnati is an underrated Midwestern city. Give me some Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn barbecue any time. Cincinnati 21, Iowa State 10

Johnson — I saw the Cincinnati Cyclones play hockey last season. Iowa State is the Cyclones. I’m so confused. Cincinnati 24, Iowa State 23

Gray — Fun fact: Bearcats quarterback Emory Jones took his first college snap on Sept. 1, 2018, or roughly a month before former Cyclone star Brock Purdy began his epic rise by rallying his team to beat Oklahoma State on the road. Purdy, of course, is now a stunning NFL success story two seasons in the making. Jones still is playing college football — and will be a problem for a Cyclone defense that shined in the second half last week. If ISU can force Jones into some difficult decisions, a win seems likely. If it can’t, the converse is true. Iowa State 24, Cincinnati 20

Malicki — I’ve been to Cincinnati and can report it’s a city you don’t need to visit twice. Iowa State 34, Cincinnati 31

Brommelkamp — I’m still not sure Cincinnati belongs in the Big 12, but I can tell you this — cinnamon does not belong in chili. Cincinnati 24, Iowa State 21

No. 8 Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) at No. 7 Washington (5-0, 2-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC)

Hlas — Violence as the only route of change. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause. Fear of differences. Contempt for the weak. Controlled mass media. Fascism? Sure, but I was thinking football. Washington 38, Oregon 35

Steppe — Washington’s Husky Stadium already fits in with the Big Ten Coalition of Creative Stadium Names, featuring Memorial Stadium (x3), Ohio Stadium, Michigan Stadium and Beaver Stadium. Oh, and how could I forget Spartan Stadium. Oregon 51, Washington 44

Johnson — If you are looking for a really good frozen pizza, check out M&M Pizzas. Made in St. Lucas, Iowa, and awesome! Oregon 38, Washington 24

Gray — The headlines scream, “It’s Washington’s Michael Penix, Jr. versus Oregon’s Bo Nix!” Rightly so, I suppose, as both quarterbacks are among the top three current Heisman Trophy candidates. Penix tops that list and it’s hard to find a flaw in his game. Couple that with home-field advantage and I’ve got the Huskies in what should be a good one. Washington 34, Oregon 31

Malicki — Does the looming empty nest phase always align with the urge to get a dog? Asking for a friend. Oregon 37, Washington 31

Brommelkamp — Get the high-scoring, entertaining football out of your system you two. These shenanigans won’t fly in the Big Ten. Washington 34, Oregon 28