ESPN's College GameDay highlights include electric Iowa-Iowa State picks from Ashton Kutcher and Lee Corso

AMES, Ia. — Finally, it's Cy-Hawk Saturday.

Before we get to the football action, though, ESPN's College GameDay is in Ames for the second time in three years. The traveling college football show is back for another Cy-Hawk showdown, which will see a highly ranked matchup between No. 12 Iowa (1-0) and No. 10 Iowa State (1-0).

The show runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (CT), culminating with Lee Corso's always-popular head gear pick. Guest picker Ashton Kutcher will join the GameDay crew as well in the final segment. 

Follow along here as Register reporters Dargan Southard and Adam Hensley keep you updated live on all the GameDay action. From it's patented features to timely analysis and commentary, GameDay is sure to add another element to this already-hyped Saturday. 

11:00 a.m. — The final picks are in 

Lee Corso shook things up by picking Iowa in an upset for Saturday's Cy-Hawk game. He donned a Herky head with the Cy-Hawk trophy on the desk. 

Desmond Howard picked Iowa State "because of their defense." Unsurprisingly, guest picker Ashton Kutcher went with the Hawkeyes. Kirk Herbstreit didn't make a pick because he's calling the game.

10:53 a.m. — Ashton Kutcher picks the Hawkeyes

"The Baum" (Tyler Linderbaum) is going to lead Iowa to victory.

10:49 a.m. — Ashton Kutcher making picks 

Air Force. Rutgers. North Carolina State. Pittsburgh. Utah. Missouri.    

10:47 a.m. — Ashton Kutcher on set now 

Pick coming soon.

10:40 a.m. — Ashton Kutcher enters...in a combine.

So Iowa. 

10:38 a.m. — The Bear and David Pollack make their picks 

Bear: Iowa State wins the game by "at least a touchdown." Pollack has the Cyclones but in a 3-point game. 

10:37 a.m. — Desmond Howard on Charlie Kolar.

"With Charlie back in the lineup, the offense operates on a different level." 

10:32 a.m. — Matt Campbell and Kirk Ferentz on Iowa-Iowa State matchup

They know exactly who they are defensively, Campbell said. They always have their guys in great positions."

10:16 a.m. — Ashton Kutcher is on the ground 

Live shot of Ashton Kutcher getting off the plane in Iowa. Cyclones fans respond with a "take a shower" chant. 

10:01 a.m. — Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit weigh in on Cy-Hawk showdown 

Howard focused on the Cyclones offense and "getting Breece Hall" going early. Herbie had thoughts on Iowa State's unique 3-3-5 defense, which Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables mimics and learns about with trips to Ames. 

"It allows players to run to the football," Herbstreit said.  

To counter, Herbstreit said Iowa needs play-action on early downs and "make these corners have to tackle." 

9:57 a.m. — More signage

"Hawkeyes eat field corn."

"Spencer Petrash"

"Mike Rose goes to class." 

9:41 a.m. — Nick Bassett on now

Here is Tommy Birch's story on the super Cyclone fan. Bassett is on set and just ripped off a Cyclone Power chant with the crowd.

9:40 a.m. — Ashton Kutcher is on the ground

He's up in about an hour.

9:15 a.m. — Nice focus on Iowa fullback Scott Rathke

The former Hawkeye was on the Iowa team in 2001, having just finished afternoon practice on the day of the attacks. The Iowa players looked up toward the end of practice and saw Air Force One fly over, carrying President George Bush east from Omaha.

Twenty years later, Rathke is a US Navy Seal commander. He credits that moment and that day for igniting his military career.  

9:11 a.m. — Gene Wojciechowski on 9/11

Along with Cy-Hawk, Saturday marks 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Current coaches Dabo Swinney, PJ Fleck, Herm Edwards, Mack Brown, Greg Schiano, Matt Wells, James Franklin and Dave Clawson. The latter four were all coaches at northeastern universities in 2001.     

Clawson, then the head coach at Fordham, had a particularly deep connection. The current Wake Forest coach's sister worked in the Twin Towers and would've likely died that day, but her commuter train was 10 minutes late. That prevented her from being in the building when the plane hit.  

9:05 a.m. — Going around college football

Some harsh words for LSU, certainly. 

8:51 a.m. — Kirk Herbstreit on Matt Campbell

Herbie on Iowa State coach Matt Campbell and the Cyclones administration. 

"I think what's happening in Ames is incredible. It's not a coach alone. He has the vision, but you have to have the backing from the university." 

8:50 a.m. — Matt Campbell wired

"I woke up last night at like 2:30, and I'm thinking about punt return," Campbell said.

Hmm, I wonder why?

8:48 a.m. — Wright Thompson on Dan Gable

ESPN's esteemed storyteller just had a bit on Dan Gable and his legacy with both Cy-Hawk schools.

8:14 a.m. — First College GameDay sign scan

"Luka Garza is ugly." 

Horns down.

A Stepbrothers reference. 

8:02 a.m. — Underway from Ames 

It's lit as expected outside Jack Trice Stadium. Interesting touch on the GameDay set, ESPN has Iowa State's alternate white helmet out front instead of the normal one.  

"If there was ever a year (for Iowa State to beat Iowa), this would be the year," Kirk Herbstreit said in his opening.

Read more Iowa vs. Iowa State football news

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.