Editor’s note: This is week 10 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 about each game. ISU men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott made this week’s guest picks

1. Nate Sandell — Managing editor of sports (52–30)

2. Jake Lovett — Asst. sports editor (51–31)

3. Michael Zogg — Daily staff writer (50–32)

4. Chris Cuellar — Daily staff writer (45–37)

Guest pick — Greg McDermott — ISU men’s Basketball coach

1. Iowa State vs. No. 18 Oklahoma State

Nate — Oklahoma State — Every puzzle piece would need to be in place for an Iowa State victory. As is the case with those 3,000-piece puzzles, one of those pieces is bound to be misplaced.

Michael — Oklahoma State — Even without Bryant or Hunter, Oklahoma State is still one of the most talented teams in the Big 12.

Chris — Oklahoma State — Double-digit dogs at home, coming off a loss, this is the type of game Iowa State makes interesting. Not against the Pokes.

Jake — Oklahoma State — Another week, another tough, fast, talented and athletic conference opponent.

McDermott — Iowa State

2. Northwestern @ No. 8 Iowa

Nate — Iowa — For those driving east on I-80, that’s not a windmill you see on the horizon. It’s Kirk Ferentz’s ego.

Michael — Iowa — The Hawks will magically pass yet another stiff Big Ten test … and I mean stiff as in dead, not tough.

Chris — Iowa — It’s a scientific fact that Ricky Stanzi has a horseshoe trapped in his lower intestine.

Jake — Iowa — Another week … See: opposite of above.

McDermott — Iowa

3. Florida State @ Clemson

Nate — Clemson — There must be a credo that teams with feathered Native American logos have to stick together (see: Washington Redskins).

Michael — Clemson — Spiller is a difference maker.

Chris — Clemson — Clemson’s C.J. Spiller is part cheetah. FSU’s offense is called by a mountain man named Jimbo. One of these points is true.

Jake — Florida State — Bowden Bowl 2009! … Oh, wait, that’s right … Too soon, Tommy?

McDermott — Florida State

4. Kansas @ Kansas State

Nate — Kansas State — When you have a 3–2 conference record and still lead the Big 12 North, you finally realize what it would feel like to be in the Big Ten.

Michael — Kansas State —This game is reminiscent of the ‘90s, Wildcats on top of the division and Jayhawks on bottom.

Chris — Kansas State — Bill Snyder has a stadium named after him. All Mark Mangino has bearing his namesake is a “Frequent Angioplasty Club.”

Jake — Kansas — Mark Mangino is hungry for a win … and just about everything else.

McDermott — Kansas

5. Navy @ No. 19 Notre Dame

Nate — Notre Dame — Charlie Weis, a win against the Midshipmen is not what the BCS had in mind when it said “signature win.”

Michael — Notre Dame — The last time Navy came to South Bend, they ended a 43-game streak. This week, the Irish will stretch their new streak to two.

Chris — Notre Dame — Golden Tate, Jimmy “Golden Boy” Claussen and gold helmets. We get it. Touchdown Jesus is a capitalist.

Jake — Notre Dame — Navy’s record against the Irish since 1964? 1–44. Seriously.

McDermott — Notre Dame

6. No. 9 LSU @ No. 3 Alabama

Nate — Alabama — With a bye week, including Daylight “Saban” Time, Alabama will be rested and ready to take control of the SEC West.

Michael — Alabama – Nick Saban out-coaches the Tigers by Miles.

Chris — LSU — The scene at ‘Bama should look like the Bay of Pigs, with Les Miles commanding his troops to the win over Tricky Nicky.

Jake — Alabama — They’ll probably score fewer points in this game than they did in most of the World Series games.

McDermott — Alabama

7. No. 15 Ohio State @ No. 11 Penn State

Nate — Penn State — Happy Valley will be more like Death Valley for Ohio State.

Michael — Penn State — Both teams have been beating their Big Ten competition by similar blowout scores; the Nittany Lions haven’t lost to Purdue, though.

Chris — Penn State — JoePa is 82 years old, and even he thinks sweater vests are out of style…

Jake — Ohio State — The Buckeyes will reserve their right to play Iowa for the title of Oregon’s Rose Bowl whooping boy.

McDermott — Penn State

8. Oregon State @ No. 23 California

Nate — Oregon State — The Beavers ensure a permanent dam is put in place on the top 25 for Cal.

Michael — Oregon State — Brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers are the team’s No. 1 and 2 rushers and receivers. I’m not sure if that’s an advantage, but it’s cool.

Chris — Oregon State — Quizzy Rodgers and Jahvid Best prove that little people are still important. And can make lots of money in the NFL.

Jake — California — Don’t sleep on the Bears. Or, is it don’t poke a sleeping bear? Either way, really.

McDermott — California

9. No. 13 Houston @ Tulsa

Nate — Houston — The “Party in the USA” has been in Houston this year. So Case Keenum and the Cougars, put your hands up and the Golden Hurricanes will fly away.

Michael — Houston — Tulsa is terrible, Houston isn’t.

Chris — Houston — Is a Golden Hurricane a tropical drink or an R. Kelly dance move? Keenum for the win.

Jake — Houston — Don’t blink. You’ll miss Case Keenum add to his Heisman-worthy numbers

McDermott — Houston