Hlastradamus takes Hawkeyes, gives bucket o’points

Hlastradamus had a bye week last week.

That was unfortunate, because the seer told close friends that Georgia Tech would beat Florida State, that Northwestern would prevail at Nebraska, that Clemson would win by 58 at Miami, that Arkansas and Duke would win in four overtimes, and that someone from CNBC would ask a question about fantasy football during Wednesday's Republican presidential debate.

But it's back to work this week, as the prophet leads you to profits. Let us proceed.

Iowa -17.5 vs. Maryland

That's a big bucket o' points. The Hawkeyes haven't been favored by that much against a Big Ten team since 2011. They were 23-point picks over Indiana that day, and won by just 21.

But Hlastradamus says there is no amount Under Armour can spend to save its beloved Terrapins from yet another beating.

Iowa State +6 vs. Texas

Rule of thumb: Sports teams are always good for one cohesive performance after outside turmoil.

Paul Rhoads fired offensive coordinator Mark Mangino this week, so the Cyclones will rally around each other and make trouble for the Longhorns.

Texas' football coach is named Strong and its men's basketball coach is named Smart. If your last name is Slick or Savvy or Super Duper, you can get a job there, too.

Minnesota -13.5 vs. Michigan

See the prophet's previous pick. Jerry Kill retired this week. The Gophers are now playing to make him proud and to try to establish interim head coach Tracy Clayes as a worthy full-time head coach.

Factor in a Michigan team that will have to somehow summon emotion on the road while playing its first game following its soul-snatching, last-play loss to Michigan State.

Notre Dame -10.5 at Temple

Temple is unbeaten. Notre Dame is unimpressed.

This is your moment in the limelight, Temple Owls. You aren't playing East Carolina or Massachusetts or Tulane or Charlotte.

Hlastradamus would like nothing better than for Temple to swat down the Fighting Irish and make trouble for the playoff committee (until the Owls get beat by USF or Memphis). But it's not happening.

Duke -10.5 vs. Miami

Miami lost 58-0 at home last week to Clemson. Forget anything else Hlastradamus has told you today about turmoil, interim coaches, yadda yadda yadda.

Miami lost 58-0 at home last week to Clemson.

Florida International -2.5 at Florida Atlantic

The prophet knows nothing about these teams, nor does he care to know anything about them.

But Florida International sounds like a Fortune 500 company, while Florida Atlantic sounds like a fishing charter.