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Week 8 College Game Day Pick’ems, where to watch and lines
Gazette writers and contributors give you their week 8 predictions for the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Iowa Hawkeyes, Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars and USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Penn State (3-3, 0-3) at Iowa (4-2, 2-1)
Where to watch: Saturday, October 18, 2025 6:00 PM - Peacock (Subscription)
Line: Iowa (-2.5)
Mike Hlas (2-1, 16-5) — James Franklin’s buyout from Penn State is $49 million. I won’t settle for a penny less than that from The Gazette. Iowa 16, Penn State 13
Madison Hricik (2-1, 15-6) — This feels so strange to make this decision given what the preseason expectations were, but alas, college football can truly be very, very weird. Iowa 24, Penn State 17
Jeff Johnson (1-2, 12-9) — Getting about $50 million not to work. Sign me up please. Penn State 24, Iowa 17
Rob Gray (1-2, 15-6) — Expect the Nittany Lions to rally behind fired head coach James Franklin’s nearly $50 million buyout and take the favored Hawkeyes to the wire. Iowa 21, Penn State 20
Beth Malicki (1-2, 13-8) — I highly recommend you participate in a pickle ball tournament no matter your skill level. Bonus points if it’s literally televised on local TV and the internet and you yell “poopy” when missing a shot. Iowa 23, Penn State 21
K.J. Pilcher (1-2, 13-8) — Lifeboats are being lowered, the band is playing to keep fans calm as Penn State’s ship is sinking and Rose won’t share the door so Jack can get out of the water. Iowa 24, Penn State 14
Utah (5-1, 2-1) at BYU (6-0, 3-0)
Where to watch: Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:00 PM - Fox Sports
Line: Utah (-3.5)
Hlas — They call this rivalry “The Holy War.” That’s an oxymoron, like “jumbo shrimp” or “old news” or “Utah Jazz.” BYU 25, Utah 11
Hricik — Feels like a week where the Utes can ruin a perfect season, so why not do it against a rival? Utah 29. BYU 27
Johnson — Got chirped the other night by someone about how I’m in last place so far in the Pick ’Ems. “Man, you’re really doing bad. You’re not very good at it.” My sister, Wendy, always has been pretty mean to me … Utah 38 BYU 35
Gray — The so-called “Holy War” was saved by the Big 12. Indirectly, of course. Vitriolic, this one is. Utah 31, BYU 24
Malicki — Dog-sitting my mom’s dog has taught me that a product called “poopy-loop” to hold the bag after its been used and continue your walk. BYU 31, Utah 27
Pilcher — Joseph Smith sold so many copies of the Book of Mormon. It made him a prophet. Utah 30, BYU 27
USC (5-1, 3-1) at Notre Dame (4-2)
Where to watch: Saturday, October 18, 2025 6:30 PM - NBC Sports/Peacock (Subscription)
Line: Notre Dame (-9.5)
Hlas — Directions to South Bend: Go to Bend. Turn south. Notre Dame 34, USC 32
Hricik — USC hasn’t seen a team like ND all season, and it feels like this is the kind of game where the Trojans would rather play the Fighting Irish at home. Notre Dame 34, USC 30
Johnson — This pick was generated via AI. Notre Dame 38, USC 31
Gray — The fourth-best one-loss team in the country travels to the Heartland to face the nation’s best two-loss team. Notre Dame 28, USC 24
Malicki — I challenged myself to use the word “poopy” in each Pick ’Em and I once again have met the moment. You’re welcome. Notre Dame 28, USC 27
Pilcher — This college football rivalry must be preserved. Jeremiyah Love is a difference maker and one of nation’s more underrated players. Notre Dame 37, USC 23
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