Editor’s note: This is week two of the Daily’s season-long Gridiron challenge. Each week, four of the Daily’s 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 women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly will be making this week’s guest picks.

T1. Nate Sandell — Managing Editor of Sports (7–2)

T1. Michael Zogg — Staff Writer (7–2)

T1. Jake Lovett — Assistant Sports Editor (7–2)

4. Chris Cuellar — Staff Writer (6–3)

5. Guest pick — Coach Bill Fennelly — (5–4)

1. Iowa State vs. Iowa

Nate — Iowa State — The Cyclones play savior and win this one for PETA. It was Hawkeye fans who put those baby chicks in grinders.

Michael — Iowa State — We may not have pink locker rooms, but we do have thousands of screaming fans who are none too fond of the Hawks.

Jake — Iowa State — Principle. I don’t need any other reason.

Chris — Iowa State — If Tom Herman can spread out Norm Parker like UNI did for 270 yards through the air, the Hawkeyes will need to score 40 to beat the Cyclones in the whirlwind of Jack Trice. They won’t.

Fennelly — Iowa State — Coach Paul Rhoads and the Cyclones protect home turf and get the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

2. No. 3 USC @ No. 8 Ohio State

Nate — USC — The Trojans are gunning for the National Championship and the “we fold in big games” Buckeyes won’t be able to stand in the way of that goal.

Michael — USC — In a big game outside the Big Ten, the Buckeyes fold faster than a lawn chair.

Jake — USC — After what I saw from the Big Ten last week, things aren’t looking up with a tougher schedule.

Chris — USC — This won’t be a blowout like last year, but the OSU defense of old is gone, and Matt Barkley will show Terrelle Pryor how a young quarterback can win the big game.

Fennelly — USC — Ohio State struggled with Navy’s running game? Besides, they always lose to teams with more speed.

3. No. 18 Notre Dame @ Michigan

Nate — Notre Dame — The Irish give Rich Rodriguez another reason to cry in his press conference.

Michael — Michigan — A little extra practice goes a long way. *wink wink*

Jake — Notre Dame — Sure, it’s in the Big House… But so was Appalachian State, and I’m not sure Big Blue has improved since then.

Chris — Michigan — Rich-Rod will have the Wolverines watching film like sweat shop workers this week, and Notre Dame’s offense just isn’t as good as everyone wants to believe. Neither of these teams deserve network TV coverage.

Fennelly — Notre Dame — In a game of two “used-to-be” powers, ND edges the Maize and Blue in the “save my job” game.

4. Clemson @ No. 15 Georgia Tech

Nate — Georgia Tech — Even if C.J. Spiller is able to play, Georgia Tech won’t have a problem dispensing of Clemson.

Michael — Georgia Tech — An injury to Spiller makes the job a lot easier for the Yellow Jackets.

Jake — Georgia Tech — The Ramblin’ Wreck looked good last week against Jacksonville State. Clemson was only OK against Middle Tennessee State.

Chris — Georgia Tech — The perennially underachieving Tigers against the hard-nosed Yellow Jackets means the triple option runs wild on Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s hopes.

Fennelly — Georgia Tech — One of the best coaches you’ve never heard of in Paul Johnson. It will not be close.

5. Air Force @ Minnesota

Nate — Minnesota — An energized Gopher squad will christen TCF Bank Stadium with a debut victory.

Michael — Minnesota — The Gophers should be able to reign in that Air Force rushing attack a little better then Nicholls State did.

Jake — Minnesota — Temporarily ignoring my anti-Big Ten bias. Gophers are solid at home.

Chris — Air Force — Air Force won 72–0 in week one, albeit against powerhouse Nicholls State, but Minnesota couldn’t stop former point guard Greg Paulus until OT. And the Mountain West is better than the Big Ten, that’s a good reason, too.

Fennelly — Air Force — AF has former Cyclone strength coach Matt McGettigan on staff. Plus, Minnesota had to go to OT to beat Syracuse?!

6. South Carolina @ No. 21 Georgia

Nate — Georgia — After a disappointing start to the season, the Bulldogs get their season back on track.

Michael — Georgia — South Carolina has a revamped defense, but defense is still Georgia’s bread and butter.

Jake — Georgia — Georgia will bounce back strong after a tough loss to Oklahoma State last week.

Chris — Georgia — Georgia’s offense looked lethargic against Oklahoma State, but their defense was still running. South Carolina looked positively vegetative against a much easier NC State team in week one.

Fennelly — Georgia — The Dogs bounce back after a loss to OSU and beats the Ol’ Ball Coach in their conference opener between the hedges.

7. UCLA @ Tennessee

Nate — Tennessee — Tennessee keeps rolling after its blowout victory in week one.

Michael — Tennessee — Kiffin continues the turnaround on Rocky Top.

Jake — Tennessee — The Lane Kiffin era started with a bang last week, and a home game against the rebuilding Bruins shouldn’t slow them down heading into the matchup against Florida next week.

Chris — Tennessee — Tennessee has the potential to be great, but UCLA can’t go from inhaling forest fires at the Rose Bowl to inhaling Lane Kiffin’s hot air at Rock Top without slipping up. The Bruins get the fortune of seeing Eric Berry before Taylor Mays this season. Odds of UCLA WR’s staying healthy: 30–1.

Fennelly — Tennessee — I would like to pass on this one as it features two of the most arrogant coaches in the sport. I have to take home team if I have to pick, just don’t make me listen to Rocky Top.

8. Fresno State @ Wisconsin

Nate — Wisconsin — The Bulldogs were impressive in their opener, but winning on the road is never an easy task, especially with the sounds of “Jump Around” blaring at Camp Randall.

Michael — Fresno State — The Big Ten continues its non-conference struggles.

Jake — Fresno State — Fresno pitched a shutout last week and put up 511 yards. Wisconsin? Struggled to a 28–20 win against Northern Illinois.

Chris — Fresno State — Anybody, anytime, anywhere. That’s coach Randy Hill’s motto, and the Bulldogs return the favor from last year’s home loss against the Badgers with a win at Camp Randall.

Fennelly — Fresno State — I used to coach there, and the Bulldogs are a team that loves to pull the upset of the BCS powers — well, the used-to-be power Wisconsin.

9. Mississippi State @ Auburn

Nate — Auburn — Auburn downs the Bulldogs in a close early season conference matchup.

Michael — Auburn — Chizik wins his first conference game for the first time in over a year.

Jake — Mississippi State — Why not?

Chris — Auburn — When Gene Chizik gets thrown into a game that finished 3–2 last year, you can only expect great things. Zzzzz.

Fennelly — Mississippi State — No reason to explain this pick.