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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 12! 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 40 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?
Last week I started off as badly as a quarterback’s career in Cleveland. Down 0-3, I rallied to go 5-2 the rest of the way to finish at 5-5. Dad endured a pretty bad week by going just 2-8. For the year, I am still doing well with a 62-38 record, good for a .620 winning percentage and an 18 game lead over my dad.
This week offers some excellent challenges for both of us to weed through. Here’s hoping for a great week by both of us as we differ on just one game.
Lines as of 11/15/2017
NCAA Football
Saturday, November 18th
#24 Michigan Wolverines (8-2) at #5 Wisconsin Badgers (10-0)
12:00 pm | Line: Wisconsin -7.5
Pick- PSN: Wisconsin | MJD: Michigan
Michigan has always been one of my favorite teams next to Pitt. There is a reason they are 8-2 and ranked just #24…. they just aren’t ready for the return to the limelight this season. My dad is banking on the Wolverines to at best cover against the Badgers, who really haven’t been tested all season… which is why they are just #5 despite being undefeated.
Texas Longhorns (5-5) at West Virginia Mountaineers (7-3)
12:00 pm | Line: WVU -3.5
Pick- PSN: WVU | MJD: WVU
The Mountaineers and friendly fans should have no problem returning to their huts to down gallons of Schlitz after they take care of the subpar Longhorns.
Kentucky Wildcats (7-3) at #7 Georgia Bulldogs (9-1)
3:30 pm | Line: Georgia -21.5
Pick- PSN: Georgia | MJD: Georgia
I’m going to imagine Georgia is going to be in one pissed off mood after being destroyed by Auburn last week. If not, they can kiss their slim playoff hopes bye-bye.
Navy (6-3) at #8 Notre Dame (8-2)
3:30 pm | Line: Notre Dame -17.5
Pick- PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
Like Georgia by Auburn, The Irish were embarrassed last week at the expense of The U. Look for Notre Dame to take their frustrations out on Navy.
Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-6) at #10 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2)
4:00 pm | Line: Penn State -26.5
Pick- PSN: Penn St | MJD: Penn St
The Nittany Lions shafted me last week failing to make the cover by a half a point. I guess I’ll try again this week against a bumbling Huskers squad they should easily dispatch of.
NFL
Sunday, November 16th
Tennessee Titans (6-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2)
8:25 pm | Line: Pittsburgh -7.5
Pick- PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Missing: Steelers Offense. If found, please return to Heinz Field by 8pm on Thursday Night. K, thanks!
Sunday, November 19th
Detroit Lions (5-4) at Chicago Bears (3-6)
1:00 pm | Line: Detroit -2.5
Pick- PSN: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
The Bears have tripped me up a few times this year. I’m betting on Detroit, literally, to help a brother out here and make the cover!
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) at Cleveland Browns (0-9)
1:00 pm | Line: Jacksonville -8.5
Pick- PSN: Jacksonville | MJD: Jacksonville
I almost had thoughts of going with Cleveland here. Jacksonville is lucky to be 6-3, and they make just enough dumb mistakes to keep most teams in games. Even if they do, I mean c’mon, it’s the Browns, they’ll find a way to give it right back. Ask the Lions last week.
LA Rams (7-2) at Minnesota Vikings (7-2)
1:00 pm | Line: Minnesota -1.5
Pick- PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
I am all in on the Rams Bandwagon… I can’t stop now, even though they face a resilient Vikings team that has fought through injuries to be 7-2.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) at NY Giants (1-8)
1:00 pm | Line: Kansas City -11.5
Pick- PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
If there is a better dog to kick around now than Cleveland, look no farther than the lame New York Giants, who were pasted by the once winless 49ers last week. Chiefs roll big!
Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 62-38 — .620
MJD: Last Week: 2-8 | Overall: 44-56 -18 .440
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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