IOWA CITY, Iowa – After just three weeks, Rob Howe has built a two-pick lead as the Iowa football team heads into Big Ten play on Saturday at Rutgers.

Howe was the only one of our three panelists that picked Syracuse to defeat Purdue, and thanks to Purdue’s behavioral meltdown in the closing minutes, Syracuse prevailed.

Purdue was called for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and that ultimately led to its demise.

Pat Harty’s picks

Iowa 5, Rutgers 2: Rick Heller would love to beat Rutgers by this score because it would show a nice balance between hitting and pitching.

Minnesota 23, Michigan State 20: P.J. Fleck celebrates the win by ordering his players to carry him off the field.

Ohio State 28, Wisconsin 13: Paul Chryst should consider not wearing socks in casual settings, and while attending the annual Big Ten media day preseason event because it sure worked for Barry Alvarez.

Iowa State 27, Baylor 24: I’m guessing Matt Campbell will say after Iowa State improves to 4-0 that he would rather coach his daughter’s softball team than be the head coach at Nebraska.

Kansas 41, Duke 38: I’m thinking after Kansas improves to 4-0 that Lance Leipold will say that he would rather coach Matt Campbell’s daughter’s softball team than be the head coach at Nebraska.

Last week: 3-2

Overall: 9-6

Dallas Jones’s picks

Iowa 20, Rutgers 10: This is a hell of a matchup in January, not as exciting in September.

Michigan State 27, Minnesota 31: Good teams win, great teams cover. Minnesota is the saving grace of the West.

Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 17: Ohio State taking their anger out on the West this year, Badgers are the next victim.

Iowa State 20, Baylor 23: I just like Baylors uniforms better.

Kansas 56, Duke 51: Basketball scores putting up basketball numbers because why not?

Last week: 3-2

Overall: 9-6

Rob Howe’s picks

Iowa 16, Rutgers 13: The record for combined punts in a college football game is 67.

Michigan State 35, Minnesota 28: The boat has rowed against very little resistance through three weeks. Fleck’s frauds exposed this week.

Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 13: If you’re a fan of divisions in the Big Ten, soak up this season. This will be another example of why they need to go away.

Iowa State 24, Baylor 23: I think I would rather live in Ames than Waco. That ain’t sayin’ much.

Kansas 27, Duke 17 This would be much more entertaining if the schools were playing basketball.

Last week: 4-1

Overall: 11-4