IOWA CITY, Iowa – With five games of the Iowa football in the books, the Hawkeyes remain unbeaten. No surprise there, right?

After picking the same winners in Week 4 to produce a boring tie, the boys went in different directions three times last week. Howe topped Harty, 4-1 to 3-2, because the latter picked with his heart not his head in taking Notre Dame over Clemson. The Irish almost pulled it off but when they didn’t, Howe’s lead stretched to two games.

Here are this week’s picks:

Pat Harty

Iowa 31, Illinois 20: With this victory, Iowa sets the stage for its epic I-Bowl showdown against Indiana in a game that will decide the Big Ten’s best team that starts with the letter I.

Michigan 10, Northwestern 9: The Wolverines prevail on a last-second field goal, marking the second year in a row that Jake Rudock has led a Big Ten team to a 5-1 record midway through the regular season.

Indiana 34, Penn State 31: If this keeps up, perhaps they should change the nickname from Happy Valley to Unhappy Valley or Below Average Valley.

Purdue 7, Minnesota 3: After Purdue scores the only touchdown in the game, some of the Minnesota players can be heard on the sideline asking, `think we’ll ever do that again?”’

Texas Tech 49, Iowa State 37: An emotional Paul Rhoads praises his defense afterwards for holding the Red Raiders to fewer than 50 points, saying that was a goal entering the game and that he is proud of his players for meeting that goal with toughness, grit and class.

Last week: 3-2
Overall: 17-8

Rob Howe

Iowa 27, Illinois 20: New Kirk convinces Old Kirk to go for it on 4th and nine from Iowa’s one-yard line and C.J. Beathard hits Jerminic Smith with a game-winning, 99-yard touchdown bomb as times expires.

Michigan 20 Northwestern 17: Jim Harbaugh credits last week’s team meal at Cracker Barrel for the victory.

Penn State 27, Indiana 24: After building 24-0 lead, IU remembers it’s a basketball school.

Minnesota 6, Purdue 3: The Golden Gophers offense explodes for 100 total yards in a much-needed win.

Texas Tech 49 , Iowa State 35: Cyclone fans puffing out chests this week after big win against Kansas. Kansas.

Last week: 4-1
Overall: 19-6