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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 5! From the opening weekend of the NCAA football season through Super Bowl LII, Mike Drakulich (PSN), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on his father, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas spread.
Mike Drakulich covers both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers during the season for NGSCSports.com!
To appease the taste buds of Pittsburgh’s local coverage area, Pitt, Penn State, and West Virginia, when they are playing, will always be on the docket among the NCAA games chosen, as will the Pittsburgh Steelers for NFL games.
Once Bowl Season arrives, we’ll bring you ALL 42 games and then continue throughout the conclusion of the NFL Playoffs.
Itchy vs Scratchy. Black Spy vs White Spy. Cheers vs Gary’s Old Towne Tavern. History is full of rivalries, but none are better than father vs son! Who will rise above the other this season and become the 2017-18 Against All Odds Champion?
First down week all year as I went 5-5 for the week. I had started off 4-1 on Saturday before the NFL went haywire on me on Sunday. My dad gained a game on me in the standing posting a 6-4 record in his picks. For now, I hold a five game lead in the standings. This week, we differ on four games. I hope everyone is enjoying this blazing hot September like we are in Western Pa, as may I remind any complainers of the December weather that lurks ahead! Have a great weekend and see you next week!
Lines as of 9/29/2017
NCAA Football
Saturday, September 30th
Rice Owls (1-3) at Pitt Panthers (1-3), 12:00 pm | Line: Pitt -20.5
Pick- PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
If Pitt’s offense can’t find a way to light the scoreboard up this week, it’s never going to happen.
Indiana Hoosiers (2-1) at #4 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0), 3:30 pm | Line: Penn State -17.5
Pick- PSN: Indiana | MJD: Penn State
Indiana has a knack of hanging in games. Penn State won on a last second touchdown last week at Iowa. 17.5 might be stretching it for the Nittany Lions here.
#7 Georgia Bulldogs (4-0) at Tennessee Vols (3-1), 3:30 pm | Line: Georgia -7.5
Pick- PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
I realize that Georgia is #7 and all, but Tennessee isn’t a bad squad. Handing the home team 7.5 in a rivalry seems like a win to me.
Miami (OH) Red Hawks (2-2) at #22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1), 5:00 pm | Line: Notre Dame -20.5
Pick- PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
The Irish impressed me in burying Michigan State last week. They should no issues carving up Miami (OH) at home.
#2 Clemson Tigers (4-0) at #12 Virginia Tech Hokies (4-0), 8:00 pm | Line: Clemson -7.5
Pick- PSN: Virginia Tech | MJD: Clemson
Should be a great game. Handing the Hokies 7.5 in Blacksburg isn’t usually a good idea if you’re betting against them, even if the opponent is Clemson.
NFL
Sunday, October 1st
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1), 1:00 pm | Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
Pick- PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Both teams were shocked last week by lesser teams. The Steelers seemed more interested in what where they were going to be for the National Anthem than they were in executing plays against a subpar Bears team. Baltimore was crushed overseas by Jacksonville 44-7. Time to see what the Steelers are truly made of here.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Cleveland Browns (0-3), 1:00 pm | Line: Cincinnati -3.5
Pick- PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
In some betting circles, the Browns were actually favorites against the Colts last week. Lol. Two teams meet in trying to escape the AFC North basement. Cleveland’s spot in 4th is still etched in stone…
LA Rams (2-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1), 1:00 pm | Line: Dallas -7.5
Pick- PSN: LA Rams | MJD: Dallas
The Rams offense is surprisingly good this year, and that’s why I’ll take them getting 7.5 against an average Dallas team.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at NY Jets (1-2), 1:00 pm | Line: Jacksonville -3.5
Pick- PSN: Jacksonville | MJD: Jacksonville
Not quite what sure what to make of Jacksonville yet, but I’m willing to bet the Jets won’t make it two wins in a row, even if the game is at home for them.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) at LA Chargers (0-3), 4:05 pm | Line: EVEN
Pick- PSN: Philadelphia | MJD: LA Chargers
The San Di–I mean Los Angeles Chargers can’t buy a break. Another loss, heartbreaker or not, and the season is kaput! I wonder how moron owner Dean Spanos is feeling watching his relocated team barely fill a 27,500 seat stadium over what he had in San Diego?
Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 19-11 — .633
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 14-16 -5 .466
Author Profile
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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