Week 1 college game day pick’ems

ALBANY AT IOWA

Mike Hlas (30-19 last year) — Albany? What, Schenectady and Poughkeepsie weren’t available? Iowa 59, Albany 0

Madison Hricik (0-0) — Lots of excitement, should be a fun atmosphere to start the season. Work out any big issues in real time and enjoy football being back. Iowa 52, Albany 7

Jeff Johnson (34-15) — I guarantee I am getting this game correct. At least the winner. Iowa 42, Albany 7

Rob Gray (34-15) — I once covered the Great Danes as a stringer in a game at Drake. They lost. They’ll lose by more in Iowa City. Somewhere, Scooby Doo weeps. Iowa 35, Albany 6

Beth Malicki (35-14) — Welcome to a new season of Pick ’Ems! This is my annual disclosure that I write the wildly entertaining comments and my husband, Brett, chooses the winner and score. Direct your criticism accordingly. Iowa 33, Albany 10

K.J. Pilcher (0-0) — Well-known Great Danes: Scooby Doo, Marmaduke and Astro. Albany not so much. Iowa 52, Albany 3

SOUTH DAKOTA AT IOWA STATE

Hlas — South Dakota ranks No. 5 in the FCS Top 25. And an underachieving No. 4 in roadkill among U.S. states. Iowa State 27, South Dakota 14

Hricik — Iowa State gets its tuneup game, even though the Cyclones played a top 25 game last week. Should be a fun time for fans still reeling from Farmaggedon. Iowa State 42, South Dakota 3

Johnson — Welcome to the new meat on this year’s panel. You will suffer humiliating defeat. Iowa State 35, South Dakota 10

Gray — A battle of ranked teams. South Dakota’s tabbed No. 5 in FCS. Iowa State remains No. 22 (for now) after last weekend’s 24-21 win over 17th-ranked Kansas State in a “road game” in Dublin. The new-look Yotes will hang around early, but depth wins this. Iowa State 27, South Dakota 9

Malicki — Fresh off that K-State win in Dublin I have a feeling that Irish luck will stick through this game. Much like cigarette smoke in bars during my college days would linger in my hair and “going out” coat for days. Iowa State 31, South Dakota 20

Pilcher — Any worries of a Week 1 hangover ended when Cyclone fans left Ireland. No let down here. Iowa State 44, South Dakota 10

TEXAS AT OHIO STATE

Hlas — I wouldn’t mind seeing the Buckeyes gerrymander the bejesus out of Texas. Ohio State 36, Texas 33

Hricik — Probably the one time this year I’ll stick with an orange that isn’t Syracuse, but it’ll be a nail-biter. Texas 28, Ohio State 24

Johnson — The best thing about this game is one of these teams will be 0-1 at the end of it. Texas 27, Ohio State 24

Gray — The battle for the FBS national title will be waged in Week 1 — according to the AP rankings, anyway. Two big conference behemoths face off in the marquee game of the day. Ryan Day weeps. Texas 27, Ohio State 21

Malicki — So while we’re talking about football and all, I’d like to use this public platform to congratulate my dear friend Taylor Swift on her engagement to that Chief’s player. I am anxiously awaiting my wedding invite. Texas 28, Ohio State 20

Pilcher — Texas QB Arch Manning is the country’s richest NIL college athlete. He’ll earn every penny. Texas 24, Ohio State 17