Editor’s note: This is week 11 of the Daily’s season-long Gridiron challenge. Each week, the Daily’s four football reporters, along with a weekly guest pick, will choose the winner from nine college football games around the country and provide commentary on each game. ISU Alumni Association President Jeff Johnson made this week’s guest picks.

1. Nate Sandell — Managing editor of sports (58–33)

2. Michael Zogg — Daily staff writer (57–34)

3. Jake Lovett — Asst. sports editor (54–36)

4. Chris Cuellar — Daily staff writer (50–41)

Guest pick — Jeff Johnson — President of the ISU Alumni Association

1. Iowa State vs. Colorado

Nate — Iowa State — The Cyclones put those Oregon Trail skills to good use and go on a Buffalo hunt.

Michael — Iowa State — This is the Cyclones’ best chance to become bowl eligible, although next week is definitely winnable too.

Chris — Iowa State — Ralphie’s fur has been used to wipe Dan Hawkins’ tears this season.

Jake — Iowa State — The Cyclones have won on senior day three out of the last four years — including twice against the Buffaloes.

Johnson — Iowa State

2. No. 10 Iowa @ No. 11 Ohio State

Nate — Ohio State — Sports Illustrated’s cover last week: “Still Perfect: Iowa stays in title chase after another close call” Haha, Iowa — Eric Crouch feels your pain (SI cover 11/26/01).

Michael — Ohio State — The wheels have fallen off the Iowa bandwagon.

Chris — Ohio State — James Vandenberg thinks the citizens of Columbus just aren’t as friendly as the defense from southeast Iowa.

Jake — Ohio State — I know I’d want James Vandenberg to be my quarterback with the Big 10 title on the line.

Johnson — Ohio State

3. Missouri @ Kansas State

Nate — Kansas State — Baylor? Really, Tigers? Even if the Tigers ran for five times the number of yards as they did last week, they would still only have 50.

Michael — Kansas State — The Wildcats are still in first place in the North? Raise your hand if you didn’t see that coming.

Chris — Kansas State — Another Wildcats pick. Someone somewhere is gagging. Wait, that’s Bill Snyder. Who the heck gave him solids?!

Jake — Missouri — I really don’t want to believe Missouri is as bad as they’ve been playing.

Johnson — Kansas State

4. Tennessee @ Mississippi

Nate — Mississippi — Go ahead, Rebel fans; sing your fight song. Don’t let your chancellor bring you down. But it’s not the South rising again, it’s Ole Miss’ bowl hopes.

Michael — Mississippi — The Rebels Snead a win.

Chris — Tennessee — Lane Kiffin would recruit Sandra Bullock from that Michael Oher movie if she ran a 4.4 forty.

Jake — Tennessee — Tennessee’s four losses have been by a combined 20 points. Who knew?

Johnson — Tennessee

5. Texas Tech @ No. 19 Oklahoma State

Nate — Oklahoma State — The Cowboys will run the Red Raiders ragged.

Michael — Texas Tech — If Leach says it’s easy to play quarterback, then it’s easy to play quarterback.

Chris — Oklahoma State — Mike Leach spent the bye week flirting with ESPN, while Mike Gundy’s team ran for 331 yards in Big 12 play. Who’s ready?

Jake — Oklahoma State — Oklahoma State had 331 rushing yards last week. Texas Tech has 373 total in five conference games.

Johnson — Oklahoma State

6. No. 25 West Virginia @ No. 5 Cincinnati

Nate — Cincinnati — Not even Daniel Boone could help the Mountaineers catch these Bearcats.

Michael — West Virginia — It seems like they get upset at the end of the year, every year. Now it’s the Mountaineers’ turn to return the favor.

Chris — Cincinnati — If the answer is Noel Divine, the question is on a Christmas crossword or is WV player most likely to be shut down against Cinci.

Jake — Cincinnati — Nothing says Big East football like a quarterback controversy between two guys who average 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Johnson — Cincinnati

7. No. 16 Utah @ No. 4 TCU

Nate — TCU — With the Horned Frogs climbing in the ranks, TCU is changing the definition of the BCS to the Big Christian Slumber party.

Michael — TCU — The Horned Frogs have a special team this season.

Chris — TCU — Seeing Lee Corso put on the frog mascot head will send PETA members into a flurry about hybrid animals.

Jake — TCU — These Frogs are horny for a win.

Johnson — TCU

8. Florida State @ Wake Forest

Nate — Florida State — If you put two blind squirrels in a ring and had them find a nut in the middle, it would be more exciting than this.

Michael — Wake Forest — The Demon Deacons may have lost four in a row, but they are too good of a team to lose five in a row.

Chris — Wake Forest — Native Americans wanted FSU to get rid of Chief Osceola. Old, rich white men love the Demon Deacon.

Jake — Florida State — Trivia question: When was the last time Bobby Bowden coached team had a losing record? 1976. He’ll pull the ‘Noles through this.

Johnson — Florida State

9. Auburn @ Georgia

Nate — Georgia — Congratulations, Auburn, you beat Furman. Welcome back to reality.

Michael — Auburn — In a toss up, I have to pick against everyone’s favorite coach.

Chris — Georgia — If only Georgia could stomp around in the end zone for this one, they’d be firmly entrenched.

Jake — Georgia — Gene’s boys will be on a let down after their big win over mighty Furman.

Johnson — Georgia