Hlastradamus: Doubling down on Hawkeyes, Cyclones

Hlastradamus sees things. That's because he has a good optometrist. He urges you to get your eyes checked once a year.

He saw Iowa and Iowa State covering the spread (posted by the prophet's good friends at Wynn Las Vegas) as favorites last week, and obviously he was correct. His 3-2 week lifted him to 15-17-3 overall, and marks the beginning of a wildly successful second half of the season. It starts ... now.

Iowa +4.5

at Maryland: Rather than break down this game, which is best left for someone else who cares about tendencies and matchups, Hlastradamus gives you this statistic:

The Hawkeyes have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games. Shucky darns, they've won six of those outright.

It's called a trend.

Iowa State -12.5

at Texas: The Cyclones helped get Mack Brown fired by beating his Longhorns in Austin four years ago. Since that day, ISU is 9-25 against the Big 12.

The prophet can't promise it won't be 9-26 after this trip to Texas, but the Cyclones are 3-0-2 against the spread in their last five games.

It's called a trend.

Michigan State -15.5

at Indiana: This won't be pretty.

It's the second-straight week the Spartans have been sent to Indiana to play in places where football is of little interest. This will make them mean-mad, Ma.

There are such things as style points with the playoff in effect. MSU can't simply rely on winning the rest of its games. It needs to kick some sand in some faces. Hoosiers, please wear some protective goggles. Because the sand will be flying.

West Virginia +8

vs. Baylor: Two years ago, Baylor lost at West Virginia, 70-63. In football.

But that's not the reason the prophet is picking against Baylor. Years ago, current Baylor President Kenneth Starr led the independent counsel investigation that resulted in the impeachment of Hlastradamus.

The seer didn't like that.

Idaho -4

vs. New Mexico State: Idaho has the nation's longest losing streak, at 13.

Yet, the Vandals are favorites because New Mexico State is a shipwreck of a football program itself.

The good people of Idaho need this. It's time for the U of I to stand up and win one stinking game.

And if any game will stink, this is it.