Editor’s note: This is week seven 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. Chandra Peterson, vice president of the Government of the Student Body, made this week’s guest picks.

1. Michael Zogg — Daily staff writer (36–18)

2. Jake Lovett — Asst. sports editor (35–20)

3. Nate Sandell — Managing editor of sports (34–21)

4. Chris Cuellar  — Daily staff writer (31–23)

Guest pick — Chandra Peterson — GSB vice president

1. Baylor @ Iowa State

Nate — Iowa State — Wishful thinking? Maybe, but the big win-hungry Cyclones seem poised to take advantage of the Griffin-less Bears.

Michael — Iowa State — The Bears are struggling without Robert Griffin.

Jake — Iowa State — The Cyclones really bounced back against Kansas.

Chris — Iowa State — Heathens over the Baptists. John Deere over Dr Pepper. Robert Griffin isn’t so fast in that immobilizer, is he?

Chandra — Iowa State — My pick is Iowa State. Of course, our brave Cyclones will pull a big cardinal victory for us on Homecoming. Go Clones!

 

2. No. 8 Cincinnati @ No. 21 South Florida

Nate — Cincinnati — Wait … the Big East plays football? As long as fans don’t get confused and show up at the basketball arena, they will see the Bearcats emerge with their BCS hopes intact.

Michael — South Florida — In big games with evenly matched teams, pick against the overrated one.

Jake — Cincinnati — The Bearcats need to prove they’re for real. Also, we’d like proof that bearcats are real.

Chris — South Florida — Both teams get a real test in this one, but South Florida’s speed is too much Thursday night.

Chandra — Cincinnati — Cincinnati has had a good season so far, so this is my pick.

3. No. 20 Oklahoma @ No. 3 Texas

Nate — Texas — This year, the Red River bleeds burnt orange.

Michael — Oklahoma — The Sooners will stand in the way of the Longhorns’ championship shot for the second year in a row.

Jake —  Texas — Rest assured, Colt and the ‘Horns won’t miss the title game because of OU again.

Chris — Texas — Providing Colt McCoy wakes up before half, the Longhorns should flip the Sooner Schooner. Stupid wagon.

Chandra — Texas — Texas has had a strong season and should win because the Sooners have barely pulled off some of their wins.

4. No. 11 Iowa @ Wisconsin

Nate — Iowa — The stands at Camp Randall are bound to crumple one of these days from all the people bouncing to House of Pain’s “Jump Around.” At least Badger fans have that to look forward to.

Michael — Wisconsin – Iowa has played well recently … but only at home.

Jake — Wisconsin — If for no other reason than I’m sick of picking Iowa.

Chris — Iowa — With cheese and beer flowing, the offense is the only anemic thing in Madison on Saturday.

Chandra — Iowa — Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes will probably pull through this win.

5. No. 6 USC @ No. 25 Notre Dame

Nate — USC — If the Trojans find themselves in a bind late in the game, they could also resort to the Michigan strategy and take out Charlie Weis at the knees.

Michael — Notre Dame — Luck of the Irish? I honestly don’t know what I’m thinking.

Jake — USC — Is USC really the sixth-best team in the nation? Probably. Is Notre Dame really the 25th-best? Um…No.

Chris — USC — Laguna Beach viewers quake at the knees at this one, as Taylor Mays makes his best Mack Truck impression on Claussen.

Chandra — USC — USC, ranked No. 6, should win.

6. Texas Tech @ No. 15 Nebraska

Nate — Texas Tech — Nebraska’s weaknesses were exposed last week against Missouri. Tech does what the Tigers couldn’t and closes out the deal.

Michael — Texas Tech — The best defense is a good offense.

Jake — Nebraska — Actually, the best defense is a good defense. See: Michael Zogg.

Chris — Nebraska — “Sticks” Sheffield might need new ribs when he gets sacked by Mr. Suh in this one.

Chandra — Texas Tech — Tech wins, but this should be a very close game. Exciting!

7. No. 4 Virginia Tech @ No. 19 Georgia Tech

Nate — Virginia Tech — To quote Ludacris, “Welcome to Atlanta, where the playas play.” The Hokies had better get used to being referred to as playas.

Michael — Virginia Tech — The Yellow Jackets have trouble with athletes, as demonstrated by Miami … Virginia Tech has some.

Jake —   Georgia Tech — Um … This game is going to be slow … Fun to watch, too, I’m sure.

Chris — Virginia Tech — Could see 50 total plays run on offense in this one, but the Hokies are too disciplined for the Yellow Jackets.

Chandra — Virginia Tech

8. Kentucky @ Auburn

Nate — Kentucky — Just when Chizik thought Auburn was firmly entrenched in the top 25. Poof!

Michael — Kentucky — Wildcats keep the Chizik losing train a-rollin’.

Jake — Auburn — Boy, this is getting ridiculously dumb.

Chris — Auburn — Enjoy bowl eligibility, Tigers, because Lord Chizik is ready for his annual losing streak.

Chandra — Kentucky

9. Missouri @ No. 16 Oklahoma State

Nate — Missouri — As long as Missouri shows up in the fourth quarter this week — unlike last Thursday against Nebraska — the Tigers have the tools to pull off an upset in Stillwater.

Michael — Missouri — The Tigers will bounce back against the depleted Cowboys.

Jake — Missouri — As long as it doesn’t rain, count on Mizzou putting up close to 50 in this one.

Chris — Missouri — Shootout in Stillwater, but Missouri’s defense is underrated, and it has nine days to heal up.

Chandra — Oklahoma State — Oklahoma State is doing great so far, so I think I would put my money on the Cowboys.