College football Week 2 picks: Iowa vs. Iowa State, Nebraska vs. Colorado, Texas vs. Alabama
The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel has score predictions for three games every week during the college football season.
Iowa at Iowa State
2:30 p.m. Saturday (Fox)
Mike Hlas (3-0, 3-0) — I’ve never correctly picked the winner of this game. But I’ve always gotten home safely from it, which is more than I can say of my trip to Burning Man last weekend. Iowa 44, ISU 41
John Steppe (3-0, 3-0) — Seth Anderson sees “a lot of opportunity” when looking at Iowa State on film. That’s how I feel looking at the Culver’s menu. Iowa 16, ISU 13
Jeff Johnson (3-0, 3-0) — Back to the decimals for me this week when it comes to Iowa. Iowa 14.2, Iowa State 13.
Rob Gray (2-1, 2-1) — If either team establishes a solid running game that alone could tip the scales in a Cy-Hawk game that once again should put the punters — and possibly placekickers — under the spotlight. ISU 16, Iowa 13
Beth Malicki (3-0, 3-0) — As the parents of (mostly) adults it pains me to tell all you parents of toddlers that it does not get easier ... but it’s still hilarious and worthwhile. Iowa 24, ISU 21
Todd Brommelkamp (3-0, 3-0) — Picking this game is a classic no-win situation for Eastern Iowa media. I’ll give you the final score but either team can win this. ISU 17, Iowa 13
Nebraska at No. 22 Colorado
11 a.m. Saturday (Fox)
Hlas — Nebraska. What a concept. Nebraska 34, Colorado 31
Steppe — Everyone in Boulder is riding a high this week after last week’s win over TCU. Maybe more than one type of “high” considering the state we’re talking about. Colorado 35, Nebraska 28
Johnson — I’m truthfully torn on whether I like Coach Prime. On one hand, he seems to be holding his players accountable and doing a good job thus far. On the other hand, he refers to himself as Coach Prime and still has that “It’s all about me” vibe. Colorado 35, Nebraska 14
Gray — Coach Prime and his traveling show of transfers is home to face Matt Rhule and what seems to be a cursed bunch of Cornhuskers. Surely Nebraska won’t lose another one-score game. Right? Wrong. Colorado 27, Nebraska 24
Malicki — My annual disclosure: my husband chooses the winner and scores each week and I am fully responsible for the sports insight and wisdom with occasional humor and self-deprecation. Colorado 37, Nebraska 24
Brommelkamp — It’s either easy money or the biggest trap this side of Admiral Ackbar. Whoever is right will tell you they knew all along. Nebraska 28, Colorado 24
No. 11 Texas at No. 3 Alabama
6 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)
Hlas — I covered NCAA basketball tournaments in Alabama and Texas this year. Authoritarianism had me in its icy grip in both states. Or maybe it was the hotel air conditioning. Either way, bad deal. Alabama 33, Texas 29
Steppe — This reminded me I’ve owed my predecessor (and now Texas beat writer) Leah Vann a Big Grove pint glass since last December. Sorry, Leah. It’s actually in the mail now. No, seriously. For real, this time. Alabama 31, Texas 24
Johnson — I found it humorous that there was consternation about Alabama’s new unproven quarterback coming into the season. It’s not like it was some 1-star recruit named Bobby Joe Average. Alabama 31, Texas 17
Gray — Last season, Texas nearly pulled off the upset against the Crimson Tide and may have won it if quarterback Quinn Ewers hadn’t been knocked out fairly early. This season it’s a different story — and a preview of the Longhorns’ future life in the SEC. Alabama 41, Texas 27
Malicki — Our youngest is considering attending one of these universities due to the “amazing UV rays.” Just wait till we tell her about the bugs in the south. Alabama 27, Texas 20
Brommelkamp — Kadyn Proctor to Alabama, Indiana Jones inside the Temple of the Sun and Ulysses S. Grant skipping an invite to the theater. What are three wise choices? I’ll take Roll Tide for $400, J.R. Alabama 35, Texas 21
