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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 7! 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 EVERY Bowl Game 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 2018-19 Against All Odds Champion?
If you’re a fan of both the Pitt Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, last weekend was a pretty good two days.
If you’re a fan of Against All Odds, you saw both myself and my dad get a good kick to the ribs, as we both went a numbing 2-8 for the week.
That, my friends, just plain sucks.
It’s been a crazy year in the NFL, and honestly, it’s been brutal getting a good gage on any team besides Kansas City and the LA Rams.
When you get knocked down, all you can do is get back up and fight back. With a record of 14-21, I lead my dad by one game on the year.
Let’s see if one, or both of us can get back on track in a major way in week seven. It’s going to be interesting, if anything, as my dad and I differ on seven games this week.
Lines as of 10/11/2018
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 13th
Pitt Panthers (3-3) at #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0), 2:30 pm
Line: Notre Dame -21.5
Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt bounced back nicely last week by coming back twice to beat Syracuse. Now they face the Irish whom they’ve upset more than when Notre Dame was favored heavily. I doubt Pitt can win, but I do see them hanging close and not being buried by the spread of 21.5…
Michigan State Spartans (3-2) at #8 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1), 3:30 pm
Line: Penn State -13.5
Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Michigan State
Penn State should be in a foul mood after choking away that game vs Ohio State two weeks ago. Michigan State just isn’t that good either, in my humble opinion.
#7 Washington Huskies (5-1) at #17 Oregon Ducks (4-1), 3:30 pm
Line: Washington -3.5
Pick: PSN: Washington | MJD: Oregon
The Huskies have a big road test when they face the Ducks. Tough place to play, but I think Washington has the tools to win and make the cover.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs (6-0) at #13 LSU Tigers (5-1), 3:30 pm
Line: Georgia -7.5
Pick: PSN: Georgia | MJD: LSU
LSU has a chance at redemption after being punked by Florida last weekend. Unfortunately for the Tigers, I see a two game losing streak in their future.
#6 West Virginia Mountaineers (5-0) at Iowa State Cyclones (2-3), 7:00 pm
Line: WVU -6.5
Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: WVU
Can’t say how impressed I am with WVU these days. Ranked sixth in the Nation, the Mountaineers should be fine before heading into their bye week. Will Grier must’ve suffered the Against All Odds Cover Jinx last week as he turned the ball over four times last week vs Kansas and cost me a cover by the Mountaineers.
NFL
Sunday, October 14th
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1), 1:00 pm
Line: Cincinnati -1.5
Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers awakened last week and pounded the Falcons to bits at Heinz Field. Now they get to get some momentum going before their bye against a team they’ve tormented over and over. Expect that trend to continue, as I see Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense putting up some big numbers in this one. Expect the WiFi to be a strong connection this week between Big Ben and Antonio Brown.
LA Chargers (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2-1), 1:00 pm
Line: EVEN
Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: Cleveland
Cleveland proved me both right and wrong last week. I know they’ve improved, but I was wary of their ability to find ways to win close games. They did, ever so barely with that quail that was kicked in OT to give the Browns their 2nd win of the year. That said, I think Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense will be a bit too much for the Browns to overcome this week.
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-2), 1:00 pm
Line: EVEN
Pick: PSN: Carolina | MJD: Washington
Toss up in this one, and I’ll go with who I think has the better team top to bottom here… Cam Newton will take the Panthers to 4-1.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3), 4:25 pm
Line: Jacksonville -2.5
Pick: PSN: Jacksonville | MJD: Dallas
The Jags were pounded last week and now face a heavy road test in Dallas. I think Jacksonville’s defense harasses Dak Prescott just enough to escape with the much needed away victory.
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Tennessee Titans (3-2), 4:25 pm
Line: Baltimore -2.5
Pick: PSN: Baltimore | MJD: Tennessee
Baltimore choked away all the momentum they had after beating Pittsburgh the week before. If you can explain Tennessee to me, please do. Somehow, the Ravens will win.
Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 2-8 | Overall: 14-21 — .400
MJD: Last Week: 2-8 | Overall: 13-22 -1 .371
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
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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