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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 8! 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?
I’ve lost my touch.
It’s as simple as that. Can’t find a way to break through so far this season, as going a paltry 4-6 last week lowered my season record to 18-27. My dad, however, is warming up as each week passes by. He went 7-3 in week seven, vaulting into the lead with a record of 20-25, good for a two game lead over me.
I’m flipping coins this week…. perhaps that will work!
Lines as of 10/18/2018
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 20th
North Carolina Tar Heels (1-4) at Syracuse Orange (4-2), 12:00 pm
Line: Syracuse -9.5
Pick: PSN: Syracuse | MJD: Syracuse
UNC can only find ways to win when they are playing Pitt. The Orange are eager to get back to winning after dropping their past two games to those same Panthers (that can never beat the Tar Heels), and Clemson. Eric Dungey plus the Dome should give the ‘Cuse a comfy victory.
#20 Cincinnati Bearcats (6-0) at Temple Owls (4-3), 12:00 pm
Line: Temple -3.5
Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
The 20th ranked Bearcats find themselves 3.5 dogs on the road at Temple. I’ll take that.
#6 Michigan Wolverines (6-1) at #24 Michigan State Spartans (4-2), 12:00 pm
Line: Michigan -7.5
Pick: PSN: Michigan State | MJD: Michigan
This is a tough one. Michigan is on a roll, but, this is a rivalry, and the Wolverines are on the road. Big Blue wins, but by seven or less. Who would’ve ever guessed I’d be taking the Spartans and it’d be my dad taking Michigan.
#16 N.C. State Wolfpack (5-0) at #3 Clemson Tigers (6-0), 3:30 pm
Line: Clemson -17.5
Pick: PSN: NC State | MJD: Clemson
Two undefeated teams meet up in Death Valley. Hard to go against Clemson here, but by more than 17.5 points? I don’t think so, Joel.
#18 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2) at Indiana Hoosiers (4-3), 3:30 pm
Line: Penn St -15.5
Pick: PSN: Penn St | MJD: Penn St
Penn State is falling like Wile E. Coyote in the rankings after dropping their last two games. Can they regain their confidence? I am up in the air on this one, but I’ll take my chances with the Nittany Lions vs a bad Indiana team.
NFL
Sunday, October 21st
Tennessee Titans (3-3) at LA Chargers (4-2), 9:30 am
Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Line: LA Chargers -6.5
Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
This one will be played at Wembley Stadium in London where Jack Bauer killed terrorists, and a little birdie told me the Titans would suffer the same fate when they face the rising Chargers behind the strong arm of Phillip Rivers and the legs of Melvin Gordon.
New England Patriots (4-2) at Chicago Bears (3-2), 1:00 pm
Line: New England -3.5
Pick: PSN: New England | MJD: New England
Are the Bears for real? We’ll find out this week when Tom Brady and the Patriots visit Soldier Field.
LA Rams (6-0) at San Francisco 49ers (1-5), 4:25 pm
Line: LA Rams -10.5
Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
This one could get ugly in a hurry as the high flying Rams face the flailing 49ers. Gotta admit, C.J. Beathard doesn’t look bad replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) at Washington Redskins (3-2), 4:25 pm
Line: EVEN
Pick: PSN: Washington | MJD: Washington
This one is as much as a toss up as the line suggests (Even), so the smart choice says stick with the home team in Washington. Perhaps Jordan Reed can net me a touchdown in Fantasy this week.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-1), 8:20 pm
Line: Kansas City -7.5
Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Kansas City
This could be a fun high scoring affair. Last one with the ball wins?
Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 20-25 — .444
PSN: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 18-27 -2 .400
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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