Editor’s note: This final edition  of the Daily’s season-long Gridiron challenge. Each week, the Daily’s four football reporters choose the winner college football games around the country and provide commentary on each game. In honor of the 2009-10 football season, our reporters will be choosing the winner from all of the 34 upcoming Bowl games. The games are listed in the order that they will occur. 

1. Nate Sandell — Managing editor of sports (71–38)

2. Jake Lovett — Asst. sports editor (68–41)

3. Michael Zogg — Daily staff writer (65–44)

4. Chris Cuellar — Daily staff writer (60–49)

1. New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. Wyoming

Nate: Fresno State — On the bright side for both teams, they made a bowl game.

Michael: Fresno State — The Cowboys just barley squeaked into a bowl with a 17-16 win over Colorado State.

Chris: Fresno State — A question the Cowboys won’t be asking FSU running back Ryan Mathews post-game: “Why can’t I quit you?”

Jake: Fresno State — Quick, name the biggest thing to ever happen to Wyoming football.

2. St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF vs. Rutgers    

Nate: UCF — As a public service, word is Don Imus may be doing the play-by-play call.

Michael: UCF — The Knights finished the year on a tear. They are in a good position for an upset.

Chris: Rutgers — When a pass hits the catwalk at the Trop, call in Evan Longoria. This game will need some star power.

Jake: Rutgers — At halftime, the Golden Knights and Scarlet Knights will get out of their football gear and have a good joust.

3. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee

Nate: Middle Tennessee — The Blue Raiders take out the Golden Eagles with the force of a hurricane.

Michael: Southern Mississippi —

Chris: Southern Mississippi — Identical teams from Dixie facing off in an arena that was a national disaster area five years ago? How do I get tickets?

Jake: Southern Mississippi — Whose idea was it to put colors in front of all these mascot names?

4. MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State vs. BYU    

Nate: Oregon State —  Beavers go high rolling since Mormons don’t gamble.

Michael: Oregon State — The Rodgers brothers are too talented for the BYU defense to handle.

Chris: Oregon State — Little known fact: Joseph Smith was a big enough fan of the Strip that BYU has kept this bowl for 5 years.

Jake: Oregon State — This will be the best comeback performance after a Civil War loss since the South rebounded so well in 1866.

5. S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: Utah vs. Cal    

Nate: Utah — Close game, but the Utes edge out the Bears.

Michael: Utah — Utah has only lost to ranked teams.

Chris: Utah — Life, death, taxes, Utah winning bowl games, Jeff Tedford blowing big games.

Jake: Utah — The Utes have won their last eight bowl games. Didn’t know that there did you, Mr. Smart Guy.

6. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs. SMU    

Nate: Nevada — How to make someone not care about a bowl game: Pick Nevada and SMU and then exile them to an island.

Michael: Nevada — Nevada’s pair of 1000 yard rushers put them over the edge in this one.

Chris: Nevada — It took years for evangelists to work their way across the Hawaiian Islands. The Wolfpack backfield could do it in 60 minutes.  

Jake: Nevada — SMU has come a long way since being given the “Death Penalty” in 1984. Not far enough.

7. Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall vs. Ohio

Nate: Ohio — Marshall will carry as much punch as Detroit’ auto industry.

Michael: Marshall — WE ARE MARSHALL

Chris: Ohio — Reinvigorate a city just looking for revenue by bringing in low-level schools from the Rust Belt? Great formula.

Jake: Ohio — Nothing says “bowl eligible” like Marshall’s coach resigning after the regular season finale.

8. Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pitt vs. North Carolina

Nate: Pitt — If the same team that showed up against the Bearcats shows up against the Tar Heels, this one should be no problem for the Bearcats.

Michael: Pitt — The Panthers looked great in the first half against Cincinnati. They will put two halves together in the bowl.

Chris: Pitt — Dion Lewis could play point guard for the Tar Heels. But he’d have to abandon his hometown team first.

Jake: Pitt — In case you have been asleep for the entirety of this season, Pitt is actually really good.

9. Emerald Bowl: Boston College vs. USC

Nate:  USC — Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Michael: Boston College — It has been a disappointing year for the Trojans. They aren’t used to playing in the Emerald Bowl.

Chris: USC — The diocese of Boston is working to re-institute indulgences to give the Eagles a prayer of beating USC. 

Jake: Boston College — After the game, BC fans will go nuts. Emerald Nuts.

10. Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. Clemson

Nate: Kentucky — The Wildcats win this one as cleanly as John Calipari got the Kentucky basketball head coach job.

Michael: Clemson — C.J. Spiller makes a case that he should have been invited to New York.

Chris: Clemson — C.J. Spiller will attempt to prove all those Heisman voters wrong with a big game. And none of them will see it.

Jake: Clemson — C.J. Spiller could win the Kentucky Derby if they’d let him run. He’d outrun Secretariat, even in his prime. I guess what I’m trying to say here is Spiller is really fast.

11. AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Georgia

Nate: Georgia — Shreveport is the excitement capital of Louisiana, by excitement capital I mean… Well it’ll be doubly depressing for the Aggies. 

Michael: Texas A&M — The Aggies high powered offense will keep it in this game and eventually win it.

Chris: Georgia — Popping AdvoCare vitamins and gambling is exactly how Richt and Sherman want to spend their disappointing postseason.

Jake: Georgia — Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will go wild against the Aggies’ defense. Wait…

12. EagleBank Bowl: Army or UCLA vs. Temple    

Nate: Temple — It took 30 years, but with its first winning season in three decades, Temple football went from irrelevance to almost relevant.

Michael: Temple — Of the three teams, this one is the only one sure to be in the game.

Chris: Temple — “First you take the pudding pop, add some razzle snazzle, and it call it Rick Neuheisel!” -Bill Cosby

Jake: Temple — Temple’s going to win a bowl game! Wait … What?

13. Champs Sports Bowl: Miami vs. Wisconsin

Nate: Miami — Another Big Ten team finds out what life is like outside the Big Ten.

Michael: Miami — Miami is too athletic for Big 10 schools.

Chris: Miami — Wisconsin will appreciate this trip out of the snow, but Orlando doesn’t constitute a vacation spot for the Canes.

Jake: Miami — Brett Bielema’s Hawkeye tattoo reminds him how his alma mater is playing in a BCS bowl and he’s not.

14. Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green vs. Idaho

Nate: Idaho — Bowl officials almost didn’t select Idaho due to worries the Vandal fan base won’t be able to make the long distance trip.

Michael: Idaho — I know I’m picking against momentum, I just can’t shake the feeling Idaho is a better team.

Chris: Bowling Green — How many yards does Freddie Barnes need to get for Idaho’s AD to ride in a Bowling Green colored plane?

Jake: Idaho — Idaho might be a little slow in this game after making such a long trip.

15. Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs. Nebraska

Nate: Nebraska — It took Nebraska half the season, but the Huskers finally came back to life. Poor Arizona.

Michael: Nebraska — Suh will take out losing the Big 12 Championship game and the Heisman on Arizona.

Chris: Nebraska — If you’re forming a list of people to call in an alley fight, the Nebraska D-Line should be above Kimbo Slice and below an arms dealer.

Jake: Nebraska — Ndamukong Suh will stake his claim to the Heisman Trophy in this game.

16. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Air Force    

Nate: Houston — The Falcons get their wings clipped by Case Keenum and the Cougars.

Michael: Houston — Why did everyone just off the Keenum bandwagon, he has thrown for almost 5,500 yards.

Chris: Air Force — It breaks my heart to pick against Case Keenum, but “Aim High” doesn’t inspire confidence in the run-and-shoot.

Jake: Houston — Why Case Keenum isn’t a Heisman finalist is obviously beyond me.

17. Brut Sun Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Stanford

Nate: Stanford — Remember when this season started, the Sooners were thinking title game, and Bradford was polishing his Heisman. Hahaha.

Michael: Stanford — The Sooners limp through their last game and lick their wounds in the offseason.

Chris: Oklahoma — Nothing like restoring dominance with a win in El-Paso. Harbaugh and Stoops look like they could use some cerveza and salsa.

Jake: Stanford — Toby Gerhart is a monster. Tackling him is like trying to tackle a bear. He’s broken people in half for trying to tackle him. Basically, what I’m trying to say is Toby Gerhart is very good.

18. Texas Bowl: Navy vs. Missouri

Nate: Navy — Missouri will be too busy picketing at Insight Bowl.

Michael: Missouri — The Tigers will win, no thanks to their fan following.

Chris: Navy — On the field, Missouri’s defense looked terribly undisciplined. I’ll venture to say the military team won’t be.

Jake: Missouri — Not sure the Navy has ever dealt with an aerial attack quite like this one.

19. Insight Bowl: Minnesota vs. Iowa State

Nate: Iowa State — This one is for Jack Trice.

Michael: Iowa State — Both teams struggled in their conference, but the Big 12 is better than the Big 10.

Chris: Iowa State — Ladies of ISU: If the team gets introduced to ASU girls on the trip and doesn’t return, it’s not your fault.

Jake: Iowa State — This just feels right. Is there even any Kool-Aid left?

20. Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee

Nate: Virginia Tech — Too bad this game isn’t played on Sunday. Now that would be ironic.

Michael: Virginia Tech — The Hookies balanced attack get the better of Tennessee’s disappointing team.

Chris: Virginia Tech — He’s got hostesses, a Weezy rhyme, and has been exiled from Florida. Yes, Suge Knight is coaching the Vols.

Jake: Virginia Tech — Luckily for Virginia Tech, a Hokie is a turkey, not a chicken. Right?

21. Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs. Auburn

Nate: Auburn — Chizik got as lucky on the draw as the U.S. in the World Cup.

Michael: Auburn — Yet another bowl game that a weak Big 10 makes a snoozer out of.

Chris: Northwestern — I’m not sure if the Outback is the bowl game title or where I would exile Gene Chizik if given the opportunity.

Jake: Auburn — Do we really think that Auburn fans are happy with an Outback Bowl appearance against mighty Northwestern? I didn’t think so.

22. Capital One: Penn State vs. LSU

Nate: LSU  — Penn State: Meet the SEC. Enjoy.

Michael: LSU — Penn State lost to Iowa then lost my respect.

Chris: LSU — Neither of these teams won a big game this season, so Tim Donaghy Alert on how this one ends.

Jake: LSU — Before the game, Joe Pa will go around to Orlando-area retirement homes to visit some of his former players.

23. Konica Minolta Gator: West Virginia vs. Florida State

Nate: West Virginia — At least Bobby Bowden will enjoy his retirement party at the end of the game.

Michael: West Virginia — Brown and Divine may not be White and Slaton, but they are still fun to watch.

Chris: Florida State — Sending Bowden out with a loss would initiate the second inaugural Seminole Trail of Tears.

Jake: Florida State — I really hope Bobby Bowden’s players can send the legend out the right way. Really is a dadgum shame.

24. Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oregon

Nate: Oregon — Roses are red, Ohio State is blue, LeGarrette Blount is gonna stomp on you.

Michael: Oregon — The Ducks offense is rolling.

Chris: Oregon — Jim Tressel wants to know how many color combo’s he can get for his sweater vests while Pryor cries over his bad decision to skip Eugene.

Jake: Oregon — The Buckeyes aren’t used to playing teams with speed … or talent.

25. Allstate Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Cincinnati

Nate: Cincinnati — Brian Kelly is to Cincinnati as Chizik is to ISU — Expect better. The Bearcats have a lot to prove, but maybe Charlie Weis will lead them to victory.

Michael: Florida — Florida The last time the Gators lost, turned into a heck of an impressive team for the rest of the season.

Chris: Florida — I’m crying like I just lost the SEC Championship thinking of a life without Tim Tebow jokes.

Jake: Florida — Unfortunately, no Brian Kelly in this one. Too bad, really.

26. International Bowl: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois

Nate: South Florida — The International Bowl — another name for purgatory. USF wins out.

Michael: South Florida — The Bulls have more talent and will have more fans at the game.

Chris: South Florida — USF coach wants to know what cruel match-maker put the Bulls in Canada when they can’t even win north of Florida.

Jake: South Florida — Does anyone actually know that this game exists? Is it even real?

27. Papajohns.com Bowl: South Carolina vs. UConn

Nate: South Carolina — Hopefully the gift packages the players receive from the bowl sponsors include garlic sauce cups.

Michael: South Carolina — The old ball coach is such a cool nickname.

Chris: South Carolina — Get Steve Spurrier a Papa Johns hat or something, the man needs to get rid of that visor.

Jake: UConn — UConn has lost five games by 15 points. A total of 15 points.

28. AT&T Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss

Nate: Oklahoma State — Dez Bryant will be Robinson’s go-to receiver… Oh wait, too soon? Maybe he’ll watch the game at Deion Sanders’ house.

Michael: Ole Miss — Without Dez Bryant, the Cowboys don’t have the firepower to pull it out.

Chris: Ole Miss — He’s 42 now, but Mike Gundy still can’t beat the SEC when it matters.

Jake: Oklahoma State — The Pokes will finish their up-and-down season on a high against the generally underachieving Rebels.

29. AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. East Carolina

Nate: East Carolina — This game is rated Arghhh! (There are so many of these picks, I’m running out of things to say.)

Michael: Arkansas — East Carolina are the croquet ball and the Razorbacks have a Mallet.

Chris: Arkansas – Skip Holtz will be blubbering like his daddy when he can’t figure out how to stop Pig Suey.

Jake: East Carolina — Skip Holtz will get some payback for his dad’s firing in 1983.

30. Valero Alamo Bowl: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech

Nate: Texas Tech — Mike Leach channels his inner Santa Anna, while the Red Raiders make like the Mexican army and put to rest the Spartans’ valiant but fruitless efforts.

Michael: Texas Tech — The Red Raiders’ offense is tough to stop.

Chris: Texas Tech — Scripting “fat girlfriends” and dorm fights into one season, sounds more “Girls Gone Wild” than football.

Jake: Texas Tech — So … Is the Big 10 really going to go 0–7?

31. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. TCU

Nate: TCU — Boise State may lose, but word on the street is QB Kellen Moore will propose to one of the cheerleaders at the end of the game.

Michael: TCU — Same game as last year. This one is for the mid-major national championship though.

Chris: Boise State — Overlook the boys in blue at your own peril. Chris “Brainy Smurf” Petersen will have his boys ready to take down the Horny feeling.

Jake: TCU — These Frogs are Horny for the school’s first BCS win.

32. FedEx Orange Bowl: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

Nate: Georgia Tech — The Hawkeyes’ title hopes crashed and burned like Tom Hanks’ Fed Ex flight (See: Castaway).

Michael: Georgia Tech — There are no triple-option teams in the Big 10.

Chris: Georgia Tech — Paul Johnson and Norm Parker seem like guys that could start a book club of spy-thrillers.

Jake: Georgia Tech — Ricky Stanzi might be back for this game. With him, the Hawks may score 10.

33. GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Troy

Nate: Central Michigan — Dan LeFevour’s quietly remarkable college career ends on an equally silent stage. In Alabama.

Michael: Troy — I’m glad this game will be played amidst the BCS match-ups.

Chris: Central Michigan — I’ve got LeFevour, and the only prescription is playing a meaningless bowl in the middle of the BCS!

Jake: Central Michigan — If you’ve never heard of Dan LeFevour, watch this game. You will not be disappointed.

34. Citi BCS National Championship Game: Texas vs. Alabama

Nate: Texas — Going out on a limb here, but the Rose Bowl will remain a friendly home for the Longhorns. 

Michael: Alabama — Texas has looked about as unimpressive as possible without losing a game this year.

Chris: Texas — The Horns don’t get to play the underdog role often, and Colt needs his “One Shining Moment.”

Jake: Texas — Quarterback named Colt, mascot called Bevo and a fantastic defense? Yes, please.