Hlastradamus: Riding the Cowboys, Huskers and Rutgers

Hlastradamus has been there, done that.

Been where, you ask. Everywhere. Done what? Almost everything.

However, he has never been comped by Wynn Las Vegas despite repeatedly touting that casino's sports book. But the prophet sees that changing ... someday.

Anyway, the sage was 2-2-1 last week for a season-record of 11-12-2. That's pretty pedestrian, but you'd be a pedestrian (and not a driver) if you were as old as him.

Better days are ahead, starting now. So here are this week's winners, with point spreads according to Wynn Las Vegas:

Oklahoma State -17

vs. Iowa State. The Cowboys haven't forgotten their 2011 loss in Ames that ended their national-title aspirations. They beat ISU by 21 points in 2012 and 31 points last year.

The Cowboys have scored 40 or more points in each of their last three games. Iowa State hasn't held anyone under 32 points. Other than Iowa, that is.

Nebraska +7.5

at Michigan State. Since joining the Big Ten, the Huskers are 2-1 against the Spartans. They never have trouble scoring against MSU.

Of course, the Spartans had their way with Nebraska last year in Lincoln.

OK, but Nebraska has been a good road team in the Big Ten, with eight wins to four losses. And it won the last time it played in East Lansing. Not that the teams of two years ago have any relevance to this year's.

All right, the prophet feels he's reaching here a little bit. The half-point is what tilted him Nebraska's way. That, and a westbound Amtrak out of Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola and Creston.

Rutgers -3

vs. Michigan. Hlastradamus saw this coming years ago. His exact words in 1617: 'Rutgers will join the Big Ten and will be favored to defeat Michigan the first time they meet in league play. No, I haven't fallen to the charms of opium.”

He has little faith in Rutgers, but has seen enough of Michigan to be deeply disturbed. More deeply disturbed than usual, that is.

Alabama -6.5

at Mississippi. There are things that seem to good to be true. Alabama being a mere 6.5-point favorite to beat Ole Miss any year is one of them.

People tell Hlastradamus that Ole Miss is good. Whatevs. He has seen the Crimson Tide tear the Rebels asunder through the centuries, and that's the name of that tune.

East Carolina -41

vs. SMU. Normally, the prophet doesn't dabble in Conference USA games. It's a lot of mumbo-jumbo and gobble-wobble.

But here are SMU's scores this season:

Baylor 45, SMU 0

North Texas 43, SMU 6

Texas A&M 58, SMU 6

TCU 56, SMU 0

SMU has not made an extra-point kick this season. East Carolina will make many of them Saturday. Many.

Hlastradamus will not be performing at Stitches Comedy Club in Lancaster, Pa., on Friday night, or at Wise Crackers in Allentown, Pa., on Saturday

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