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Week 5 College Game Day pick’ems and where to watch
Gazette writers and contributors give you their week 5 predictions for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers, Arizona Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones and Oregon Ducks vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
INDIANA (4-0, 1-0) AT IOWA (3-1, 1-0)
Where to watch Indiana vs. Iowa: Saturday, September 27, 2025 2:30 PM Peacock (Subscription)
Line: Indiana (-7.5)
Mike Hlas (2-1, 9-3) — Disney realized its blunder in taking me off Iowa football coverage last weekend. The people have spoken, making me more powerful than ever. Indiana 28, Iowa 20
Madison Hricik (2-1, 8-4) — My sentiment from last week stays the same, but don’t expect the same scoring margin. Indiana 28. Iowa 24
Jeff Johnson (1-2, 8-4) — Just gotta feeling. Maybe it’s gas. Iowa 27, Indiana 24
Rob Gray (2-1, 9-3) — Fun fact (for Hawkeye fans): Iowa beat Indiana, 60-0, in the programs’ second meeting in 1913. Not so fun fact (for Hawkeye fans): The Hoosiers’ 63-10 thrashing of Illinois last week was no fluke. Indiana 30, Iowa 21
Beth Malicki (1-2, 8-4) — My husband and I took a second honeymoon to celebrate our 25th anniversary. It was a nonstop disaster, but we laughed and laughed and laughed through it all and that’s the secret of a happy, long marriage. Indiana 31, Iowa 17
K.J. Pilcher (1-2, 8-4) — Not sure how you can’t be impressed with Indiana after last week. Then again, I voted for Mondale. Indiana 31, Iowa 17
ARIZONA (3-0, 0-0) AT IOWA STATE (4-0, 1-0)
Where to watch Arizona vs. Iowa State: Saturday, September 27, 2025 6:00 PM ESPN
Line: Iowa State (-6.5)
Hlas — Another great conference rivalry game between programs 1,169 miles apart that haven’t played each other since 1968. Iowa State 28, Arizona 20
Hricik — Not entirely sure how to feel about this one, but a night game in Ames seems like it’d be a fun time. Iowa State 17. Arizona 14
Johnson — I have a nephew who graduated from the University of Arizona. This one’s for you, Peter. Arizona 24, Iowa State 23
Gray — How much will playing on home turf at Jack Trice Stadium matter to the Cyclones? Probably quite a bit. A sellout crowd will be loud and ISU’s one of the least penalized teams in the country for the second straight season. Iowa State 27, Arizona 24
Malicki — When budgeting for college be sure to include a small loan or large side hustle to fund the spending that will happen on parent weekends. Iowa State 24, Arizona 21
Pilcher — Geraldo Riveira and Linda Ronstadt are Arizona alumni. She sang, “You’re No Good” and he opened an empty vault. Cyclones are good coming off a bye. Iowa State 27, Arizona 10
OREGON (4-0, 1-0) AT PENN STATE (3-0, 0-0)
Where to watch Oregon vs. Penn State: Saturday, September 27, 2025 6:30 PM NBC Sports/Peacock (Subscription)
Line: Penn State (-3.5)
Hlas — I’ve tried and tried to teach him, but my dog can’t dance. He has two left feet. Penn State 28, Oregon 20
Hricik — White out week means Nittany Lions could slide up to No. 2 in the country, even though the Oregon “mummy duck” uniforms are super impressive. Penn State 24, Oregon 21
Johnson — Still getting’ used to the fact that schools travel 2,700 miles … for a conference game. Oregon 28, Penn State 17
Gray — A top 10 matchup in Happy Valley. A “whiteout” crowd — just like they’re planning in Ames. Two teams whose playoff hopes won’t slip much regardless of the outcome. Expect fireworks in an instant classic. Oregon 31, Penn State 28
Malicki — ’m at the age and stage of menopause where I have to add to my to-do list “be kind to people even if they are annoying.” Penn State 21, Oregon 17
Pilcher — Why do the Ducks play without a game plan? They prefer to wing it. Penn State 28, Oregon 27
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