Hlastradamus: Tabbing Iowa, MSU and ... Illinois?

Several weeks ago, Hlastradamus gave you his Lock of the Year. It was Rutgers -1 vs. Arkansas. Rutgers prevailed, 28-24.

It's time for Lock of the Year #2. Which is a mathematical impossibility, since there can't be two of one thing. But when you move in Hlastradamus' circles, such things can happen.

First, the Prophet of Profit confesses to last week's misstep. After going 4-1 against the spread for three straight weeks and setting up you followers nicely for your Christmas, last week he was a mortal 2-3 for a season record of 33-26-1. A mere blip, it was. On with this week's money-makers:

Iowa -6 vs. Michigan. It's late in the season, it's cold, and it's not a time for offensive lines of modest toughness. The Hawkeyes need to win this game to avoid the horror of a Texas Bowl against a Big 12 mediocrity in Houston. Texas Tech could go to that game with a 6-game losing streak.

Michigan State -7 at Northwestern. It's late in the season, it's cold, and it's not a time to battle defenses of considerable toughness. Northwestern doesn't quit. But the Spartans aren't going to put a smirch on their perfect Big Ten record this day.

Minnesota +15 vs. Wisconsin. It's late in the season, it's cold, and ... hey, it's cold for nine months a year in Minneapolis. Hlastradamus doesn't know how the Gophers are going to cover against the offense that is Wisconsin's killing machine or the defense that is Wisconsin's other killing machine. He just looks at the crystal ball and tells you what it says.

Illinois -6 at Purdue. It's late in the season, it's cold, and it's two bad teams. Who but the Seer himself would take a team with a 20-game conference losing streak to go on the road and beat anyone -- even the West Lafayette High Red Devils? But the Illini have an offense, and haven't quit fighting.

Oklahoma State +9.5 vs. Baylor. LOCK OF THE YEAR #2! Once-beaten Oklahoma State at home, getting this many points? The mystic is mystified. The Cowboys have covered the number in their last five games. They were 3-point favorites at Texas last week and won by 25! Now, Baylor is not only 9-0, but is 8-1 against the spread. But it's late in the season, it's cold, and it's Stillwater, Oklahoma.

West Lafayette High, by the way, is 12-1 and

plays at 13-0 Andrean Friday night in the Indiana state Class 3A playoffs.