Jake Calhoun, sports editor

Dean Berhow-Goll, asst. sports editor

Alex Halsted, asst. sports editor

Stephen Koenigsfeld, sports online editor

Guest pick: Katherine Klingseis, ISD editor-in-chief

Tulsa vs. Iowa State

Jake Calhoun: Iowa State — You have no idea how many pee jokes about the Golden Hurricane I want to make but can’t.

Dean Berhow-Goll: Iowa State — I’ll take Iowa State, but Tulsa has four senior defensive backs who have a combined 78 starts and 22 INTs. Could spell trouble for Jantz.

Alex Halsted: Iowa State — A storm is coming to Jack Trice Stadium, and despite offering a tough test, the Golden Hurricane will find no land against the Cyclones.

Stephen Koengisfeld: Iowa State — The last time the Cyclones were in Jack Trice, they toppled the BCS. The Cyclones will want to bring back some of that momentum for their season opener.

Katherine Klingseis: Iowa State — It would be pretty lame if I said, “I picked Iowa State because I go to Iowa State.” Well, it’s true. Oops.

No. 24 Boise State vs. No. 13 Michigan State

Calhoun: Michigan State — No Kellen Moore? No problem… for Michigan State.

Berhow-Goll: Michigan State — Michigan State could surprise a lot of the Big Ten this year with a monster returning defense. I’ll take Sparty.

Halsted: Boise State — This will be the Broncos’ big game in 2012. Despite being away from their blue turf and without Kellen Moore, they find a way to pull the upset.

Koengisfeld: Michigan State — Both teams are coming in with new quarterbacks. No upset in this one, however.

Klingseis: Boise State — I love the color blue. Boise State has blue turf on its football field. Yes, I did make this decision based on turf color.

Notre Dame vs. Navy (in Dublin, Ireland)

Calhoun: Notre Dame — The Fighting Irish are fighting in Ireland. I wish I actually had a joke that didn’t involve gingers for this one.

Berhow-Goll: Notre Dame — This couldn’t be more of a home game for the Irish. Over/under the amount of beer consumed in Ireland that day? Whatever it is, I’ll take the over.

Halsted: Notre Dame — Notre Dame playing in Ireland? They can’t possibly lose that one, right?

Koengisfeld: Notre Dame — Rudy isn’t going to make the trip to Dublin for this one, but this is Notre Dame’s backyard.

Klingseis: Notre Dame — I’ve got some Irish blood in me. I’ve never been in a fight, however.

Northern Iowa vs. No. 12 Wisconsin

Calhoun: Wisconsin — Northern Iowa will soon find out that Camp Randall drunks are much meaner to visiting teams than Kinnick drunks. Badgers in a blowout.

Berhow-Goll: Wisconsin — Well unless Northern Iowa signed the guys who assaulted Montee Ball, they’re in trouble.

Halsted: Wisconsin — Northern Iowa nearly pulled out the upset in 2009 against Iowa, but Wisconsin’s high-scoring offense will be far too much for a similar game this time.

Koenigsfeld: Wisconsin — A scary place to play. And with a team that put up more than 45 points in nine games last season, the Badger beats the Panther in this one.

Klingseis: Wisconsin — I hear Wisconsin has good cheese and beer. That has nothing to do with football, but it does make the place pretty awesome.

Iowa vs. Northern Illinois (in Chicago)

Calhoun: Northern Illinois — James Vandenberg will throw three interceptions and then break his leg. Plus I need an upset.

Berhow-Goll: Iowa — Whoever the running back is for Iowa, he’s much better than anyone NIU has.

Halsted: Iowa — Northern Illinois will put up a strong fight at Soldier Field, but Iowa’s defense will help overcome its running back uncertainty.

Koenigsfeld: Iowa — As much of a home game this is for Northern Illinois, the Hawkeyes are coming into the season with something to prove even if they don’t have a running back.

Klingseis: Northern Illinois — I just wanted to copy Calhoun to see if it would annoy him.

No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 2 Alabama (in Arlington, Texas)

Calhoun: Alabama — Nick Saban is evil, but he gets things done. Roll Tide.

Berhow-Goll: Alabama — Too much Tide. Don’t count out Shoelace though. He could be this year’s Cam Newton.

Halsted: Alabama — Only need three words for this one: Roll Damn Tide.

Koenigsfeld: Alabama — Fluker’s size-22 shoes are going to stomp the defending Sugar Bowl champs.

Klingseis: Alabama — First is the worst. Second is the best. Third is the one with a treasure chest. Eighth is Michigan… or something.

Northwestern vs. Syracuse

Calhoun: Syracuse — The Orange are hoping they can get another unsportsmanlike salute to help them out here.

Berhow-Goll: Northwestern — I’ll almost always take Big Ten football over Big East football. ‘Cuse should stick to basketball.

Halsted: Syracuse — Syracuse gets this purely based on its awesome mascot.

Koenigsfeld: Northwestern — If Northwestern doesn’t come away with a win here, good luck competing with the Big Ten this year.

Klingseis: Northwestern — As far as cardinal directions go, north and west are my favorite.