College football Week 3 picks: Western Michigan vs. Iowa, Iowa State vs. Ohio, Penn State vs. Illinois (Sept. 16, 2023)

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel has score predictions for three games every week during the college football season, including the Iowa and Iowa State games.

Western Michigan at No. 25 Iowa

2:30 p.m. Saturday (BTN)

Mike Hlas (1-2, 4-2) — A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H, I got a gal in Kalamazoo. Don’t wanna boast but I know she’s the toast of Kalamazoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo. That came from an era when songwriting meant something. Iowa 70, Western Michigan 7

John Steppe (2-1, 5-1) — Some national media outlets have projected Iowa to go to the Las Vegas Bowl. To quote the NCAA, though, don’t bet on it. Iowa 31, Western Michigan 3

Jeff Johnson (2-1, 5-1) — I understand there will be 26 Republican presidential candidates at Kinnick on Saturday. Iowa 35, Western Michigan 9

Rob Gray (1-2, 3-3) — The Broncos were no match for Syracuse last weekend and they’ll likely be inept offensively against the Hawkeyes, as well. Iowa 41, Western Michigan 10

Beth Malicki (2-1, 5-1) — This week I was part of the championship parade entry for the Linn-Mar Homecoming festivities. I distributed 23 cavities worth of candy, logged 1.51 miles and will bask in this glory for a full month. Iowa 31, Western Michigan 13

Todd Brommelkamp (0-3, 3-3) — Iowa is a four-touchdown favorite. Iowa has yet to score four touchdowns in a game. Trust the oddsmakers. Iowa 38, Western Michigan 0

Iowa State at Ohio

11 a.m. Saturday (ESPNU)

Hlas — This already is Ohio’s fourth game, which suggest it’s in a hurry to get this season done. Iowa State 24, Ohio 20

Steppe — My favorite English teacher went to school at Ohio University. Sorry, Mr. Beckert, but I don’t see your Bobcats pulling off the upset. Iowa State 13, Ohio 10

Johnson — Don’t forget, this is THE Ohio University. Iowa State 28, Ohio 7

Gray — The early line probably made Cyclone fans nervous as the Bobcats opened as mere 1.5 underdogs. ISU had become 3-point favorites early this week, though, and I see a relatively comfortable win coming in Athens. Iowa State 28, Ohio 13

Malicki — I spent a year at a university in Ohio and have nothing to show for that other than a lifelong commitment to never live there again. Iowa State 24, Ohio 14

Brommelkamp — A Power Five team playing a MAC school on the road is not as easy as it sounds. Win the turnover battle and ISU will escape with a close win. Iowa State 21, Ohio 19

No. 7 Penn State at Illinois

11 a.m. Saturday (Fox)

Hlas — Illinois has legal weed. So does my lawn if you count crabgrass, chickweed and Creeping Charlie. Penn State 24, Illinois 16

Steppe — I’m assuming the construction on Interstate 74 between here and Champaign will be done by December? I prefer that route to Indianapolis. Penn State 42, Illinois 21

Johnson — I hear Penn State’s dance team is way better than Illinois’. So … Penn State 31, Illinois 17

Gray — The Nittany Lions are for real and the Illini are reeling. Nonetheless, I see this game as a reasonably close one, Penn State 31, Illinois 20

Malicki — I don’t have any real predictions for this game other than I bet it will be shorter than their last match-up. Penn State 35, Illinois 27

Brommelkamp — The Illini have underwhelmed against Toledo and Kansas and James Franklin ran up the score against West Virginia when a win was in hand. Draw your own conclusions. Penn State 35, Illinois 14