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The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems for Week 10 of the college football season, including the battle for the Heartland Trophy in Iowa City and a Big Ten showdown between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 3 Penn State.
Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) at Iowa (5-3, 3-2)
6:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC)
Line: Iowa -3
Mike Hlas (1-2, 19-8) — Jermari Harris is having a terrific season for Iowa with team highs in interceptions and pass breakups. Iowa 17, Wisconsin 10
John Steppe (3-0, 21-6) — It’s a bubbler, not a water fountain. Iowa 21, Wisconsin 20
Jeff Johnson (1-2, 20-7) — It’s 301 days until Iowa’s 2025 season opener. Just so you know. Iowa 24, Wisconsin 20
Rob Gray (2-1, 20-7) — It’s a blackout game for the Hawkeyes, so don’t wear gold. The Brendan Sullivan era begins against a Badgers team that saw a three-game win streak snapped by last week’s 28-13 loss to Penn State. Expect a tense game — and take the under. Iowa 17, Wisconsin 14
Beth Malicki (3-0, 20-7) — It finally feels like fall! Football weather, as many like to say. I call it the season to procrastinate my holiday to-do list so I can read books under a big blanket and pretend there are no responsibilities. Iowa 23, Wisconsin 21
Todd Brommelkamp (2-1, 20-7) — How many fans from both teams will drink so much Saturday they forget to set their clocks back before passing out? Iowa 20, Wisconsin 17
Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) at No. 11 Iowa State (7-0, 4-0)
2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)
Line: Iowa State -13.5
Hlas — Never forget, the Cyclones beat Texas Tech, 66-10, in 2016 when Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes was intercepted five times. Stupid me, I took Tech and 55 points. Iowa State 66, Texas Tech 10
Steppe — Fun fact: Lubbock is home to the American Windmill Museum. Yes, that’s actually a thing. Iowa State 40, Texas Tech 17
Johnson — Iowa State will go into the Big 12 Conference championship game undefeated. Book it. Iowa State 28, Texas Tech 10
Gray — The Red Raiders defense is one of the worst in the country, but it does force plenty of turnovers. Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht must be sharp and he should be as his team tries to avoid another slow start and get to 8-0 for the first time in program history. If ISU’s defense can slow down talented Texas Tech tailback Tahj Brooks and his backups, a comfortable win should materialize. Iowa State 38, Texas Tech 21
Malicki — To the wild animal (coyote?) who decimated and picked clean a turkey right outside our kitchen window, I request you eat your meals farther into the woods. Iowa State 30, Texas Tech 23
Brommelkamp — If you’re a high school football player with a last name even remotely close to Juicy or Wiggle, I know a school that has some NIL dollars for you. Iowa State 36, Texas Tech 18
No. 4 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) at No. 3 Penn State (7-0, 4-0)
Hlas — Nevada casinos had a net win of $80.9 million on sports betting in September, an all-time monthly high. But sure, keep paying attention to mopes like us who give you our picks. Penn State 30, Ohio State 28
Steppe — James Franklin is 1-9 against Ohio State. That’s almost as bad as my dating record. Ohio State 28, Penn State 24
Johnson — What do you get when you combine Beaujolais and Ripple? Beaujolipple, of course. Ohio State 24, Penn State 17
Gray — With Gus Johnson on the mic for Fox, this will be a blustery and exciting game even if there aren’t any fireworks on the field. The Buckeyes will seek to prove last week’s struggles against Nebraska were an aberration rather than a trend and should cover the spread in this top-four matchup in Happy Valley. Ohio State 27, Penn State 20
Malicki — Quick public service announcement: if you’re feeling desperate or care about someone who’s struggling, just dial 988. Local professionals will help you figure out next steps. You’re not alone. Ohio State 20, Penn State 17
Brommelkamp — James Franklin has committed so many errors in big games like this one he’s in danger of being offered a contract by the Yankees. Penn State 23, Ohio State 21
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