Editor’s note: This is week nine 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. Iowa State’s Government of the Student Body President Jon Turk made this week’s guest picks.

1. Nate Sandell — Managing editor of sports (48–25)

2. Jake Lovett — Asst. sports editor (46–27)

3. Michael Zogg — Daily staff writer (44–29)

4. Chris Cuellar — Daily staff writer (40–33)

Guest pick — Jon Turk — ISU GSB President

1. Iowa State @ Texas A&M

Nate — Texas A&M — Iowa State’s win against Nebraska was impressive, but not entirely out of nowhere. However, nine points won’t win many games and the Cyclones’ QB situation remains cloudy.

Michael — Texas A&M — Iowa State will be a little sluggish coming off such an emotional win last week.

Chris — Iowa State — If the College of Design hasn’t started plans on a 20-foot high gold statue of Rhoadsy by Mr. Trice, they need their accreditation removed.

Jake — Iowa State — Consider the Kool-Aid consumed. Nummy!

Jon — Iowa State — Because I am the President of the Student Body … and because I love Coach Rhoads.

2. No. 3 Texas @ No. 14 Oklahoma State

Nate — Oklahoma State — How to catch a Longhorn: Dig a hole, fill it with ashes and when the Longhorn comes by, kick it in the ashhole.

Michael — Texas — The Longhorns have to keep winning or Iowa may go to the National Championship game.

Chris — Texas — Zac Robinson needs mace or a whistle, because the Longhorn D is going to abuse him like it has Hawkins, Bradford and Gabbert.

Jake — Texas — If Texas loses, Iowa moves up. Hook ‘em.

Jon — Texas

3. Kansas @ Texas Tech

Nate — Texas Tech — Kansas lost to national powerhouse Colorado. And by national powerhouse, I mean Dan Hawkins’ Pop Warner team.

Michael — Texas Tech — The Jayhawks haven’t looked good in weeks.

Chris — Kansas — Tech is actually having QB issues, and Mike Leach is saying his players are distracted by “fat girlfriends.” Not a good formula.

Jake — Texas Tech — Over/under on points: 110.

John — Kansas

4. Missouri @ Colorado

Nate — Missouri — The Tigers easily let the air out of Colorado’s Balloon Boy costumes.

Michael — Missouri — The Tigers are clearly less impressive than they have been in recent years, but they are still better than Colorado.

Chris — Missouri — Gabbert and Costello, the Tigers’ QBs, not a comedy duo. Mizzou finally getting their first Big 12 win isn’t funny either.

Jake — Missouri — If you didn’t think coming into this season that this would be a battle for the basement of the Big 12 North, you were wrong.

Jon — Missouri — They need to redeem themselves after Nebraska. And Oklahoma State. And Texas.

5. Michigan State @ Minnesota

Nate — Michigan State — Unless the Spartans’ plane overshoots Minneapolis by 100 miles, Michigan State will do what Bill Murray couldn’t (note: current event and Caddyshack reference).

Michael — Michigan State — The Spartans almost beat the Hawks, putting them in a category with nearly everyone who has played Iowa this year.

Chris — Minnesota — When he plays, MarQueis Gray looks like Michael Vick in a Gophers uniform. Just like Mike: Gray failed his ACT, too.

Jake — Michigan State — This game will go completely unnoticed with all the Vikings-Packers talk. That, and the Big 10 is terrible.

Jon — Michigan State

6. No. 21 West Virginia @ South Florida

Nate — West Virginia — South Florida just launched it’s “USF: Unstoppable” public fundraising campaign. If only that described the football team.

Michael — West Virginia — The Mountaineers’ athleticism is “Divine.”

Chris — West Virginia — I thought I could postpone it, but it’s official. South Florida’s annual fall collapse is in full swing.

Jake — West Virginia — Noel Devine > South Florida’s defense.

Jon — South Florida — Hoping for the upset.

7. No. 5 USC @ No. 10 Oregon

Nate — USC — Even with their brand new Nike Beaver costumes, the Ducks won’t have the teeth to hold onto the upset.

Michael — Oregon — Opponents seem to be wary of beating the Ducks. The last time it happened a player got jacked in the face.

Chris — USC — If Oregon loses, Autzen Stadium is going to be like the Octagon. Not that the Ducks aren’t used to that effect when they lose…

Jake — Oregon — Do not look past the Ducks. If you do, they’ll punch you in the face. Seriously, though.

Jon — USC

8. Georgia @ No. 1 Florida

Nate — Florida — Regardless of the outcome, Heisman voters should be advised: Actually look at Tim Tebow’s stat line.

Michael — Florida — The Gators collect yet another unimpressive win in a shockingly easy SEC schedule.

Chris — Florida — Make your cocktail jokes, I’m going with my bread and butter. The H1N1 vaccine is actually Tim Tebow’s sweat.

Jake — Florida — Tim Tebow < Jesus

Jon — Florida

9. No. 25 Mississippi @ Auburn

Nate — Mississippi — Rumor has it Gene Chizik is going as Paul Rhoads for Halloween. One thing is missing, though. A win.

Michael — Mississippi — Considering how far Ole Miss has fallen in the standings, you would think they had played terribly … they really haven’t.

Chris — Mississippi — Snead proves he’s worthy of a draft pick by knocking War Eagle out of flight pre-game. Epic.

Jake — Mississippi — Remember when Auburn was 5–0? That went well.

Jon — Mississippi — Because Auburn … has that one guy.