My “totally irrelevant” prediction was launched in 2015 — and had a 12-0 start, just like the Hawkeyes — but never in all of my years of predicting games — any Bears fans remember these on ChicagoSports.com? — have I seen my forecasted score on the board at the end of the game. Until Saturday. Maybe within a point or two, but never exact. So after Iowa’s 24-3 victory to open 2017, the stakes are raised. How do you follow that up? Well, with an overwhelming number of expert picks. I’ve collected as many as I can here, with a few of Hawkeye Headquarters’ friends and family featured below and many more insider insights available at their links. (Always click every link.)   Featured predictions Hawkeye Headquarters Adam Rossow: Iowa 24, Iowa State 20 The warning signs are there for an Iowa State upset. The Hawkeyes have a quarterback making his first road start in a hostile environment. On the other side of the ball, the Cyclones have experienced playmakers at running back and wide receiver, which could create some matchup problems with Iowa’s linebackers and defensive backs alike. Still, the Hawkeyes defense has been stingy since being throttled against Penn State last season. They’ve kept every opponent under 23 points (Florida had a pick-six in the Outback Bowl) and abused Josh Allen and Wyoming in the opener. This should be a great early litmus test for both teams, and one that will probably be decided in the fourth quarter.

HHQ reporter Adam Rossow (@AdamJRossow) has a prediction for tomorrow’s #CyHawk game. #Hawkeyes #CyclONEnation pic.twitter.com/uhmxeec1zH— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) September 8, 2017

Dan Vasko: Iowa 31, Iowa State 17 Jay Kidwell: Iowa 28, Iowa State 21

Hawkmania Steve Batterson: Iowa 24, Iowa State 20 The difference begins close to the football, where the experience of the Hawkeyes on the lines on both sides of the ball will decide what should be an entertaining football game. Matt Campbell’s Cyclones will make strides in his second season and will certainly test the Hawkeyes with the skill of lanky receivers Allen Lazard and Hakeem Butler. Expect Iowa to counter with the strength of its running game. The more touches Akrum Wadley and James Butler get, the more likely it is the Hawkeyes will take home a win from Jack Trice Stadium.

National predictions Sports Illustrated Andy Staples: Iowa Bruce Feldman: Iowa State Chris Johnson: Iowa Joan Niesen: Iowa Eric Single: Iowa Molly Geary: Iowa Scooby Axson: Iowa SBNation Bill Connelly: Iowa State 28, Iowa 27 Athlon Sports Steven Lassan: Iowa Mitch Light: Iowa Bryan Fischer: Iowa State Robert A. Boleyn: Iowa 17, Iowa State 7 ESPN Dan Murphy: Iowa 20, Iowa State 9 Mitch Sherman: Iowa State 17, Iowa 14 Tom VanHaaren:  Iowa 24, Iowa State 13 Hawkeye State predictions Land of 10 Scott Dochterman: Iowa 31, Iowa State 17 Bobby La Gesse: Iowa 27, Iowa State 21 The Gazette Dylan Montz: Iowa 28, Iowa State 21 Marc Morehouse: Iowa 27, Iowa State 17 Hawk Central Chad Leistikow: Iowa 28, Iowa State 20 Go Iowa Awesome Mark Hasty: Iowa 27, Iowa State 26  AllHawkeyes Pat Harty: Iowa State 24, Iowa 23 Tyler Devine: Iowa 17, Iowa State 14 Dylan Burn: Iowa 28, Iowa State 24 Tyler Luebke: Iowa 27, Iowa State 10 Hawkeye Nation Rob Howe: Iowa 23, Iowa State 17 Jon Miller:  Iowa State Sean Neugent: Iowa 40, Iowa State 17 David Schwartz: Iowa State Mitch Smith: Iowa Hawkeye Report Mike Zierath: Iowa 21, Iowa State 17 Tom Kakert: Iowa 13, Iowa State 10 Blair Sanderson: Iowa 34, Iowa State 20 Torbee: Iowa 31, Iowa State 20 RDietz: Iowa Lyle Hammes: Iowa State 27, Iowa 24 Matt Randazzo: Iowa 17, Iowa State 13  BlackHeartGoldPants Max Brekke: Iowa 31, Iowa State 10 BoilerHawk: Iowa 24, Iowa State 20 JP Scott: Iowa, 28, Iowa State 6  JPinIC: Iowa 27, Iowa State 17 Hello Jerry: Iowa 30, Iowa State 24 Matt Cabel: Iowa 28, Iowa State 24 Benjamin Ross: Iowa 31, Iowa State 10 Jordan Hansen: Iowa  Rob Donaldson: Iowa 31, Iowa State 17 Simulation Cody Hills: Iowa 38, Iowa State 14 Irrelevant prediction @Hawkologist Ryan Jaster: Hawkeyes 29, Iowa State 0. How do you follow up a “perfect” prediction? Perhaps with a knockout punch to a rival. The Cyclones’ lone threat in this simulation was intercepted in the endzone. We know the Hawkeyes defense looks solid, but if this shutout comes true, expectations for Iowa this season — not to mention me and my NCAA 2004 PS2’s football forecasts — will be next to, but not through, the roof.

This week’s totally irrelevant prediction: #Hawkeyes 29, Iowa State 0. With only one trip to the redzone that ended in an endzone INT (!) pic.twitter.com/8xtqnIruut— HAWKMANIAQ, formerly (@Hawkologist) September 8, 2017

Prognosis: More positive than expected, perhaps due in part to last week’s outcome. After Wyoming was a popular national upset pick last week, those pundits stayed away from the Iowa game this week for the most part. The split is close to the same as last week, with a couple more votes the Hawkeyes’ way, actually. The scores are generally lower, but as anyone around for the 9-6 Cy-Hawk snoozer that followed a 44-41 thriller knows… anything goes when it comes to the ‘Clones. Predicting isn’t easy. The pain index lands at the exact same place on the scale.

For more Hawkeye football coverage, follow @AdamJRossow and @HawkeyeHQ on Twitter — and now Facebook — and Hawkeye Headquarters on OurQuadCities.com all season.

On a scale of

1 to Mr. T , how painful would a loss to Wyoming be, Hawkeyes fans? Point to the smiley face that would best describe your pain. The good news is, most experts think you’ll experience a little discomfort during Saturday’s opener, but ultimately come out of Kinnick Stadium smiling. Let’s get to the picks:

Featured predictions

Hawkeye Headquarters

Adam Rossow:

Iowa 30, Wyoming 21 Saturday’s outcome will depend on two things: the Hawkeyes running game and pass rush. Iowa’s offensive line is too good for Brian Ferentz not to just line up and pound the ball, especially with Nathan Stanley making his first collegiate start at quarterback. The running back combination of Akrum Wadley and James Butler should combine for at least 40 carries and more than 200 yards rushing. About the pass rush… the best way to rattle a quarterback at any level is with repeated hits. The Hawkeyes don’t necessarily need to sack Josh Allen more than two or three times, but getting to him early and knocking him down will pay dividends if the game is tight in the fourth quarter. Don’t expect a blowout — Wyoming is too well-coached for that — but it should be a Week 1 win at Kinnick for the Black and Gold. 

Dan Vasko:

Iowa 24, Wyoming 21

Jay Kidwell:

Iowa 35, Wyoming 21

Hawkmania Steve Batterson: Iowa 31, Wyoming 21 Josh Allen’s strong arm and quick feet can only carry the Cowboys so far, likely into the second half when the strength of Iowa’s defense should wear down the future NFL quarterback. Behind the work of its line and running game, expect the Iowa offense to collect enough points for a season-opening win against a solid opening-game opponent.

National predictions

Sports Illustrated

Andy Staples: Wyoming Bruce Feldman: Iowa Chris Johnson: Wyoming Joan Niesen: Iowa Eric Single: Wyoming Molly Geary: Iowa

SBNation Bill Connelly: Iowa 31, Wyoming 22

CBS Sports

Jerry Palm: The Hawkeyes are his upset pick of the week at -11, but its against the spread. (So we can’t say for sure he thinks they’ll lose.)

Athlon Sports

Robert A. Boleyn: Iowa 31, Wyoming 17

ESPN

Dan Murphy: Wyoming 33, Iowa 30 Mitch Sherman: Iowa 27, Wyoming 24 Tom VanHaaren: Wyoming 24, Iowa 13 Hawkeye State predictions

Land of 10

Scott Dochterman: Iowa 38, Wyoming 20 Bobby La Gesse: Iowa 31, Wyoming 17

The Gazette

Marc Morehouse: Iowa, 34, Wyoming 17

Hawk Central

Chad Leistikow: Iowa 38, Wyoming 22

Go Iowa Awesome

RossWB: Iowa 34, Wyoming 24

AllHawkeyes

Pat Harty: Iowa 34, Wyoming 21 Tyler Devine: Iowa 35, Wyoming 24 Dylan Burn: Iowa 23, Wyoming 16

Hawkeye Nation

Rob Howe: Iowa 27, Wyoming 17 Jon Miller: Iowa Sean Neugent: Iowa 37, Wyoming 24 David Schwartz: Iowa

Hawkeye Report

Mike Zierath: Iowa 35, Wyoming 14 Tom Kakert: Iowa 34 Wyoming 17 Blair Sanderson: Iowa 28, Wyoming 20 Torbee: Iowa 35, Wyoming 17 Lyle Hammas: Iowa 34, Wyoming 20 John Kerth: Iowa 37, Wyoming 24 Matt Randazzo: Iowa 34, Wyoming 21

BlackHeartGoldPants

Max Brekke: Iowa 30, Wyoming 21 BoilerHawk: Iowa 28, Wyoming 20 JP Scott: Iowa 27, Wyoming 24 JPinIC: Iowa 45, Wyoming 20 Hello Jerry: Iowa 35, Wyoming 17 Matt Cabel: Iowa 21, Wyoming 17 Benjamin Ross: Iowa 35, Wyoming 17 Jordan Hansen: Iowa Simulation

Cody Hills:

Iowa 27, Wyoming 17

Irrelevant prediction @Hawkologist And finally, the totally irrelevant prediction based on playing EA Sports’ NCAA Football 2004 on a PS2, as is the tradition since 2015:

Ryan Jaster: Hawkeyes 24, Wyoming 3. It was a snowy night at Kinnick… and that shows you just how irrelevant this simulation is. Game time is 11 a.m. and it’s always sunny in Iowa City for the opener. The icing on the cake is Iowa aired it out after the ground game stalled. Which Hawkeye receiver do you have down for 209 yards?

This week’s totally irrelevant prediction using NCAA Football 2004: #Hawkeyes 24, Wyoming 3. At night. In snow. See? Irrelevant. Or is it? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/62HdWTQVc5— HAWKMANIAQ, formerly (@Hawkologist) September 1, 2017

Prognosis: The consensus seems to be that the game will be closer than Hawkeyes fans prefer — at least for a while — but Iowa will prevail. The national take appears to be more willing to give the game to Wyoming as an upset special.  Are you a college football insider? Or just some guy or girl who has access to a

Hawkeyes

site like me? If you want your predictions in here next week, hit me up

@Hawkologist

on Twitter. For more Hawkeye football coverage, follow 

@AdamJRossow

 and 

@HawkeyeHQ

 on Twitter —

and now Facebook

— and 

Hawkeye Headquarters

 on 

OurQuadCities.com

 all season.