Week 3 College Game Day Pick’ems and where to watch

The Gazette’s Pick’ems for Week 3 of the 2025 college football season. This weeks picks include Iowa Hawkeyes against visiting UMass at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa State traveling to Arkansas State and Texas A&M visiting Notre Dame.

UMass (0-2) at Iowa (1-1)

Where to watch UMass vs. Iowa - 6:30 P.M. Saturday Fox Sports

Line: Iowa -34.5

Mike Hlas (2-1, 5-1) — This lopsided matchup is in prime-time. Of course, so are “Halloween Baking Championship,” “The Snake Catcher,” and “Sex Sent Me to the ER.” Iowa 49, UMass 0

Madison Hricik (2-1, 4-2) — Love the song choice from this week’s Kid Captain, Gwendolyn Clouse. She picked “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers for the wave! Iowa 34, UMass 0

Jeff Johnson (3-0, 5-1) — Am predicting Iowa will throw for more than 100 yards in this game. I know, I know, crazy, right? Iowa 42, UMass 7

Rob Gray (3-0, 5-1) — The 0-2 Minutemen will stride into Kinnick Stadium determined to make Kirk Ferentz wait one more week to become the Big Ten’s all-time leader for coaching wins. Just kidding. Iowa 45, UMass 3

Beth Malicki (3-0, 5-1) — I feel for these Minutemen. After Iowa they face my beloved Missouri Tigers. May they feel the power of the Wave in Iowa City and a fabulous meal at Murry’s in Columbia to soothe their likely trouncing. Iowa 33, UMass 13

K.J. Pilcher (3-0, 5-1) — UMass is called the Minutemen. That’s because they’ll only be competitive for a minute, man. Iowa 44, UMass 7

Iowa State (3-0) at Arkansas State (1-1)

Where to watch Iowa State at Arkansas State - 3:00 P.M. Saturday ESPN

Line: Iowa State -20.5

Hlas — Just a guess, but I’ll say the Cyclones won’t have as many fans in Jonesboro, Ark., as they did in Dublin. ISU 31, Arkansas State 17

Hricik — I love the Sun Belt (Fun Belt!), and I know that’s a league that can shake things up. It’s not happening this week, though. ISU 24, Arkansas State 10

Johnson — The tipped pass forward 10 yards to a teammate is going to be the next big play in college football. Everyone’s gonna do it. Book it. ISU 38, Arkansas State 7

Gray — Expect the Cyclones to be able to rack up yards and points almost at will offensively, while the defense makes it impossible for Arkansas State to keep up. ISU 38, Arkansas State 9

Malicki — I purchased a robot window cleaner and I can attest our windows are free from streaks and dirt now. This is mostly due to me scrubbing behind the dumb robot but the results speak for themselves. ISU 41, Arkansas State 16

Pilcher — If Kyle Konrardy hasn’t insured his kicking leg, Matt Campbell should. He shouldn’t play a big role this week. ISU 35, Arkansas State 10

Texas A&M (2-0) at Notre Dame (0-1)

Where to watch Texas A&M at Notre Dame - 6:30 PM Saturday NBC Sports/Peacock

Line: Notre Dame -6.5

Hlas — Directions to South Bend: Go to Bend. Turn south. Notre Dame 24, A&M 21

Hricik — This is going to be a weird game, that’s about as good of a prediction as I can give — fully expecting chaos in some capacity. Notre Dame 21, A&M 17

Johnson — Gig ‘Em, Leprechauns! Oh, wait a minute. That’s not the saying … Notre Dame 24, A&M 20

Gray — Do I bet against Marcus Freeman’s 0-1 Fighting Irish at home? I do not. Notre Dame 27, A&M 17

Malicki — I’m not big on viral trends, but the “football game nap” is one I can endorse as a fan and a user. Notre Dame 31, A&M 28

Pilcher — Eric Conlon and I were torn and flipped a coin. Heads for an Irish win. Tails for an Aggies loss. Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 17