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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 10! 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?
Finally a week above .500 for me as I went 6-4, only to watch my dad gain another two games on me by going 8-2! Dad is now 34-31 on the year, good enough for a seven game lead over my miserable record of 27-38.
Here we are at Week 10, so I’m hoping to close that gap getting to .500 for the year with ten amazing games this weekend, starting with Pitt at Virginia this Friday night.
Lines as of 10/31/2018
NCAA Football
Friday, November 2nd
Pitt Panthers (4-4) at #25 Virginia Cavaliers (6-2), 7:30 pm
Line: Virginia -7.5
Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Virginia is good at stopping the run. Pitt is good at running the ball. Something has got to give, right? Well, with a 95% chance of rain Friday night, I believe the weather will favor the Panthers behind their new vaunted rushing attack. Pitt will have to do it’s best to contain Bryce Perkins, the Cavs dual threat QB. For all his running ability, he has been sacked 21 times. I like Pitt to not only cover, but win outright, and set up a huge match-up with Virginia Tech the following Saturday, with the winner having the upper hand at becoming the ACC Coastal Champions.
Saturday, November 3rd
Louisville Cardinals (2-6) at #2 Clemson Tigers (8-0), 12:00 pm
Line: Clemson -38.5
Pick: PSN: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Louisville is horrid, and Clemson is just creaming opponents the past month. This will get ugly in Death Valley for the Cardinals.
#13 West Virginia Mountaineers (6-1) at #17 Texas Longhorns (6-2), 3:30 pm
Line: Texas -2.5
Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: Texas
The Mountaineers travel to Texas in the biggest game of the year for them. It is a must win for WVU if they hope to win the Big 12. I like Will Grier to lead his team to an upset and make amends for that falter they had vs Iowa State.
#14 Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2) at #5 Michigan Wolverines (7-1), 3:45 pm
Line: Michigan -10.5
Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Penn State
Trace McSorely is less than 100% and The Big House has been waiting for a game like this for what seems like an eternity for the fans of Go Blue. Penn State has been struggling against the likes of Indiana, and barely escaped Iowa last week. Their luck runs out this week as the Wolverines will take the Nittany Lions behind the woodshed.
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) at #3 LSU Tigers (7-1), 8:00 pm
Line: Alabama -14.5
Pick: PSN: Alabama | MJD: LSU
Yes, handing LSU 14.5 points seems absurd, especially considering they are the #3 team in the Nation… well, a Tide is coming. Roll Tide.
NFL
Sunday, November 4th
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (4-4), 1:00 pm
Line: Baltimore -2.5
Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger will be out for redemption vs the Ravens in Baltimore. I like the Steelers to put a crushing blow to Baltimore’s playoff hopes and set up and exciting finish to the 2018 season and another AFC North championship.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-5-1), 1:00 pm
Line: Kansas City -8.5
Pick: PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
Cleveland couldn’t have picked a worse time to hit rock bottom this year. Pat Maholmes and KC will demoralize and neuter an already reeling Dawg Pound this Sunday afternoon.
Atlanta Falcons (3-4) at Washington Redskins (5-2), 1:00 pm
Line: EVEN
Pick: PSN: Atlanta | MJD: Washington
Atlanta needs this game in the worse way, and I just am not a believer in the Redskins just yet. A win here may open my eyes, but I doubt it happens. The Falcons are due to break out.
Houston Texans (5-3) at Denver Broncos (3-5), 4:05 pm
Line: EVEN
Pick: PSN: Houston | MJD: Houston
Demaryius Thomas has to be chomping at the bit to see the team that just traded him away. I like DeShaun Watson and his new toy to put a hurting on the Broncos at Mile High.
LA Rams (8-0) at New Orleans Saints (6-1), 8:25 pm
Line: EVEN
Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: New Orleans
It’s the Game of the Week, and the Rams are doing everything they can to stay undefeated. Beating the Saints in New Orleans may certainly start to make the 72′ Dolphins a little nervous, but in this one, I think Drew Brees and his offense will do just enough to escape the clutches of Aaron Donald and the very talented Rams.
Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 8-2 | Overall: 34-31 — .523
PSN: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 27-38 -7 .415
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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