Jerod Ringwald
Iowa defensive back Matt Hankins gets set before a play during a football game between No. 10 Iowa and No. 9 Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones 27-17.
The Daily Iowan football staff picks five football games every week as part of our Pregame edition. Read how the staff picked the Iowa-Northwestern matchup — as well as four other contests — below.
No. 22 Iowa vs. Northwestern
Robert Read, Pregame Editor (22-18): Iowa — This game deserves to be on at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
Austin Hanson, Sports Editor (27-13): Iowa — If this was at 11 a.m., I’d pick Northwestern,
Chloe Peterson, Assistant Sports Editor (22-18): Northwestern — Iowa’s midseason tail-spin is in full swing.
Chris Werner, Football Reporter (22-18): Iowa — Northwestern might be the only B1G team Iowa can beat right now.
Destinee Cook, DITV Sports Director (21-19): Iowa — No comment.
John Bohnenkamp, Sports Writing Coach (24-16): Iowa — I mean, they have to get it together at some point.
Jason Brummond, Publisher (26-14): Iowa — Northing heals an ailing offense like a trip to Evanston.
No. 12 Auburn vs. No. 13 Texas A&M
Read: Texas A&M — The Aggies’ win over Alabama doesn’t count in the CFP rankings.
Hanson: Texas A&M — We love Italian food. Zach Calzone.
Peterson: Auburn — I was right about the Tigers last week.
Werner: Auburn — What exactly is an Aggie?
Cook: Texas A&M — Well-rested Aggies.
Bohnenkamp: Texas A&M — Big game in the SEC West.
Brummond: Texas A&M — The race for the SEC’s third-best team is highly contested.
Texas vs. Iowa State
Read: Iowa State — Wasn’t a great end to Brocktober for the Cyclones.
Hanson: Texas — I still don’t quite understand the monkey business.
Peterson: Iowa State — Horns down.
Werner: Texas — Both of these teams are really good at disappointing people.
Cook: Iowa State — I have zero faith in Texas, but watch them actually win.
Bohnenkamp: Iowa State — Not Brocktober, but the Cyclones should win.
Brummond: Iowa State — Ames is similar to Austin alphabetically, at least.
Virginia Tech vs. Boston College
Read: Virginia Tech — Neither would compete with ACC power Wake Forest.
Hanson: Virginia Tech — I don’t know how to do the Hokie Pokey.
Peterson: Virginia Tech — I feel like neither of these teams should be in the ACC.
Werner: Virginia Tech — The Hokie Pokies are going to run themselves around.
Cook: Virginia Tech — Idk what to say.
Bohnenkamp: Boston College — ACC football is … something.
Brummond: Virginia Tech — Its old nickname, Fighting Gobblers, should make a comeback.\
USC vs. Arizona State
Read: Arizona State — Mike Tomlin will not be returning USC’s calls.
Hanson: Arizona State — “Hello, you play to win the game.”
Peterson: Arizona State — Same colors? They should wear the same uniforms — for chaos.
Werner: Arizona State — Hey, my friend goes there!
Cook: Arizona State — USC is down bad.
Bohnenkamp: USC — Sun Devils have given up.
Brummond: Arizona State — We’d all appreciate USC hiring a Big Ten coach.