Iowa vs. Colorado State prediction: Hlastradamus picks Saturday’s game and so much more

Many have questioned Hlastradamus over the centuries.

They are now under rocks that are under rocks that are under rocks. The seer, meanwhile, keeps on rockin’.

Hlastradamus is 10-4-1 this year. He took Iowa and threw 23.5 points last week only to learn the spread actually was 23. So he shaved the half-point and called it a push.

This week, there’s no shaving. Iowa is a 23.5-point favorite over Colorado State, and 23.5 points it shall be.

It’s a lot of points. The Rams started this season looking dreadful against South Dakota State and Vanderbilt. But this is a Mountain West Conference team, and that’s a league the prophet respects.

The MWC is 5-4 against the Pacific-12 this season. The Pac-12 is in some sort of unholy alliance with the Big Ten and ACC for future nonconference games. Yecch.

UCLA lost at home to Fresno State last week. San Diego State beat Utah. Arizona lost to Northern Arizona, which isn’t even in the Mountain West. Or the FBS.

Arizona has lost its last 15 games. Of course the Big Ten wants to get in an alliance with the Pac-12. It will look like the league is playing good nonconference contests when it really isn’t.

Anyway, the pick is …

Colorado State +23.5 at Iowa

It’s a lot of points.

Here’s another pick:

Iowa State -7 at Baylor

Hlastradamus doesn’t care for the cut of Baylor’s gib, and that’s all the explanation that’s needed here.

Notre Dame +6.5 vs. Wisconsin

This game is in Chicago’s Soldier Field. Not much offense is played there, it being the home of the Chicago Bears.

Wisconsin hadn’t left Madison before this game. Life is harder on the Near South Side of Chicago. Just ask the Bears.

Rutgers +21 at Michigan

Michigan’s average margin of victory this season is 36 points. But Rutgers also is 3-0, and has outscored foes by an average of 29.7 points.

Do you get the distinct feeling those numbers won’t be as high later this season?

If there ever were a year for Rutgers to win the Big Ten East, this is it. And this sure ain’t it. But 21 points is a bunch, and the prophet thinks he’ll cover this by a touchdown.

Michigan State -5 vs. Nebraska

Hlastradamus has read this is the biggest game of Scott Frost’s career as Nebraska’s coach. That came from a Nebraska publication. They’ve taken this stuff seriously since at least the 17th century.

Michigan State has been very thorough in winning its first three games, and has rushed for 264 yards a game. Two of those games were on the road, against Northwestern and Miami.

Five teams in the Big Ten East are unbeaten and none are named “Ohio State.” That’s kind of precious.

Comments: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com