Hawk Fanatic Week 2 predictions
IOWA CITY, Iowa – With all the hype surrounding the annual showdown between Iowa and Iowa State, it’s easy to forget that other college football games will also be played this weekend.
The Hawk Fanatic panel didn’t forget, however, so here are this week’s games and the predictions and comments that go with them.
We would also like to welcome our newest staff member, Alex Pruismann, to the panel.
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Pat Harty’s picks
Iowa 23, Iowa State 20: Iowa kicker Drew Stevens wins the game on a 44-yard field goal as time expires. The Hawkeyes improve to 2-0 but are only averaging 23.5 points per game, which means they now have to score at least 28 points against Western Michigan to keep Brian Ferentz on pace to meet the 25-point performance incentive in his revised contract.
Illinois 27, Kansas 17: Bret Bielema is so excited after getting this road win that he starts dancing the Hokey Pokey in the locker room because some habits are hard to break.
Colorado 31, Nebraska 24: The Deion Sanders post-game press conference will last almost as long as this game, and that’s without television timeouts.
Wisconsin 31, Washington State 28: First-year Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell removes his socks right before kickoff as a tribute to Barry Alvarez and the new-look Badgers respond by rushing for over 300 yards.
Alabama 24, Texas 17: Nick Saban denies a rumor that he was seen enjoying the moment and smiling after this win.
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 4-1
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Dallas Jones’ picks:
Iowa 24, Iowa State 17: Buy your lottery tickets everyone because an Iowa Hawkeye football game is going over!
Kansas 31, Illinois 20: Illinois is on the ban list after last weeks performance, I will be holding a grudge until further notice.
Colorado 28, Nebraska 17: Good defense vs good offense and bad defense vs bad offense. Half of this game will be very entertaining.
Washington State 23, Wisconsin 20: You can’t fool me Wisconsin, I am familiar with your game.
Alabama 35, Texas 16: They are not back.
Last week: 4-1
Overall:4-1
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Rob Howe’s picks:
Iowa 17, Iowa State 13: Programs penalized for gambling, Brian Ferentz tracker, cornfields, excellent drinking water in Ames, Band Gate, locker room thieves, dueling NIL beer – this game has all the Hollywood story lines.
Illinois 20, Kansas 17: I was actually going to make a joke that this matchup would be more interesting in basketball. While it would be, this could be a fun football game.
Colorado 27, Nebraska 24: Prime.
Wisconsin 31, Washington State 24: Wisconsin has good cheese. Washington State has good apples. They go well together.
Alabama 38, Texas 28: It’s cute how folks think Alabama is on the decline.
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 4-1
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Alex Pruismann’s picks
Iowa State 21, Iowa 17: Both with good defenses and offenses that are finding themselves. The game looks a lot like last year. The Iowa defense is on the field too much and Iowa State scores late to steal it. I am disappointed, but the offense struggles yet again to get 300 total yards. Brian Ferentz’s climb to his “magic number” takes a big stall. I am already upset at how upset I’ll be after this game…
Kansas 24, Illinois 21: This one will be interesting. The allure of Bielema at Illinois will wear off and he will start performing as past recent Illinois coaches have. It will be like watching two freshly painted walls to see who can dry faster. You could say I am not sitting on my couch in anticipation of this matchup of powerhouses.
Colorado 38, Nebraska 17: I am a “Prime Time” believer and I am an admitted Nebraska hater. Don’t I have to be? Travis Hunter puts on another show and Nebraska can’t stop him. He scores 2 times in the evitable route. Colorado won’t go undefeated but Nebraska won’t be much for them. The Matt Rhule era is off to a frosty start.
Wisconsin 27, Washington State 17: The Wisconsin defense shows Washington State what B10 defenses are all about. The WAZZU passing attack has some big plays but overall are held in check. Wisconsin and Luke Fickell turn up the heat on WAZZU and its not as close as the scores shows and the Badgers run all over them. Wisconsin heads home with a good non-conference win.
Alabama 42, Texas 31: This one will be a shootout after the half and a fun game to watch. Iowan Kayden Proctor sours myself and fellow Iowa fans and actually opens up holes as the Alabama offense runs all over Texas and does what it needs to, to stop Texas. Both teams had warm up games in week 1, but the true test in week 2 goes to Alabama as home field advantage plays a role.