College football Week 7 picks: Washington vs. Iowa, Iowa State vs. West Virginia, Ohio State vs. Oregon

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems for Week 7 of the 2024 college football season, including Iowa hosting Big Ten newcomer Washington and Iowa State visiting West Virginia in a Saturday night showdown.

Washington (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) at Iowa (3-2, 1-1)

11 a.m. Saturday (Fox)

Line: Iowa -3

Mike Hlas (3-0, 15-3) — My five favorite Big Ten cities: 1. Los Angeles; 2. Seattle; 3. Eugene; 4. Santa Cruz; 5. Tijuana. Iowa 17, Washington 16

John Steppe (2-1, 15-3) — Seattle ... the home of Starbucks, Amazon and Costco ... and the reason why my wallet is so light. Iowa 20, Washington 17

Jeff Johnson (3-0, 15-3) — The last time these teams played was in the 1995 Sun Bowl. Wonder how many Iowa journos made it across the border from El Paso and into Juarez for some nightlife that trip. Iowa 23, Washington 16

Rob Gray (2-1, 14-4) — These aren’t last year’s Michael Penix-led Huskies and I think the Hawkeyes have a good chance to get well after last week’s blowout loss at Ohio State. Iowa 21, Washington 17

Beth Malicki (2-1, 13-5) — I attended a frat party as part of parents weekend and learned college students look like they should be in elementary school and there is entirely too much walking on college campuses. Iowa 23, Washington 17

Todd Brommelkamp (3-0, 13-5) — A 9 a.m. Pacific kick coupled with the Huskies likely being hungover from beating Michigan should mean victory in this spot. Notice I said should. Iowa 17, Washington 16

No. 11 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0) at West Virginia (3-2, 2-0)

7 p.m. Saturday (Fox)

Line: Iowa State -3

Hlas — My five favorite Big 12 cities: 1. Boulder. Iowa State 31, West Virginia 30

Steppe — If Matt Campbell pulls a 2012 Buzz Williams move at the midfield logo after winning, I’ll let him write next week’s pick. Iowa State 34, West Virginia 28

Johnson — When will Iowa State ever wear cardinal and gold uniforms and helmets again? Iowa State 21, West Virginia 10

Gray — The Mountaineers’ running back duo of Jahiem White and C.J. Donaldson — along with dual-threat quarterback Garett Greene — will sap the Cyclones’ strength on the defensive side of the football, but I’m convinced the Cyclones will do all the right things in the margins and escape Morgantown with a crucial win. Iowa State 27, West Virginia 24

Malicki — Hot tip if you’re watching this 7 p.m. game (Iowa time). Nap, then nap again. Iowa State 30, West Virginia 20

Brommelkamp — I spent five minutes in West Virginia once. I saw all I needed to. Expect the Cyclones to also get in and get out ASAP. Iowa State 31, West Virginia 18

No. 2 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 3 Oregon (5-0, 2-0)

6:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC)

Line: Ohio State -3

Hlas — Five cities I avoid: 1. Porch Fridge, Ark.; 2. New Costco, Ohio; 3. Lizaminnelli, Calif.; 4. Tuberville, Ala.; 5. Frackington, Okla. Ohio State 28, Oregon 27

Steppe — I had a turtle cheesecake shake while I was in Columbus. I don’t know what will be higher ... the yardage in this game or the calories in that shake. Ohio State 42, Oregon 38

Johnson — Read a story this week about how eating an Ohio buckeye can poison birds and other animals, including a duck. With this information in hand, I gotta go … Ohio State 56, Oregon 21

Gray — The blueblood Buckeyes meet new (Phil Knight-funded) blood in Eugene and chaos ensues. Home field won’t matter. Ohio State 31, Oregon 17

Malicki — If you see my husband please give him some support. He’s taking our showing in these Pick ’Ems really hard. Because if we’re not winning, we’re losers. Ohio State 31, Oregon 24

Brommelkamp — Big Ten teams are just 2-9 this year when crossing two or more time zones. In conference play, the tally is one win against seven defeats. Oregon 27, Ohio State 24