IOWA CITY, Iowa – Rob Howe is clinging to a one pick lead as we enter week 3 of the Hawk Fanatic predictions.

But there’s a lot season left with Big Ten play set to start next week for Iowa with a road game at Rutgers.

First things first, however as Iowa prepares to face Nevada Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium.

Nevada’s 2-1 record doesn’t look so bad until you realize the one loss was a 55-41 loss to Incarnate Word last Saturday at home.

Nevada allowed over 600 total yards, including 406 passing yards.

Incarnate Word won despite being penalized 18 times for 145 yards.

Nevada’s defense could be just what the much-maligned Iowa offense needs to get jump started after two woeful performances.

Pat Harty’s picks

Iowa 11, Nevada 8: Iowa will scores its points on two safeties, a touchdown scored by Lukas Van Ness when he returns a pass deflected near the line of scrimmage for a pick six, and the point-after kick.

Penn State 27, Auburn 14: James Franklin might be thinking after this win to pursue the Auburn job when it opens.

Michigan State 28, Washington 23: My neighbors are vacationing in the Seattle area. But they’d rather go looking for Bigfoot than attend this game because they’re really not that into sports, and I need neighbors like that to balance the scales.

Purdue 34, Syracuse 27: Charlie Jones has 15 catches by halftime, and says afterwards that he wants to land on the moon.

Oklahoma 38, Nebraska 21: Scott Frost blames the loss on him not being there.

Last week: 3-2

Overall: 6-4

Dallas Jones’s picks

Iowa 21, Nevada 3: Alex Padilla steps in at halftime and immediately cements his legacy after back-to-back touchdown drives.

Penn State 20, Auburn 23: SEC propaganda will be at a high per usual.

Michigan State 28, Washington 17: Pac-12 stinks.

Purdue 30, Syracuse 14: Charlie Jones will continue his best Tyreek Hill impersonation and outpace the Hawkeye passing offense three weeks in a row.

Oklahoma 34, Nebraska 21: The Cornhuskers are officially entering pad your stat day territory.

Last week: 3-2

Overall: 6-4

Rob Howe’s picks:

Iowa 26, Nevada 3:  Nevada is a basketball school.

Auburn 27, Penn State 24:  The guy who wrote “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” earned a Master’s Degree from Auburn.

Michigan State 24, Washington 21:  Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island graduated from Washington. I prefer Mary Ann to Ginger.

Syracuse 28, Purdue 27:  Peter Faulk earned a Master’s Degree from Syracuse.

Oklahoma 45, Nebraska 28:  The University of Oklahoma awarded James Garner, a native of Norman, an honorary degree, and he served as a commencement speaker.

Last week: 3-2

Overall: 7-3