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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 15! 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?
Unlike the Steelers and Pitt, Pittsburgh SportsNation continues to trend upwards, as I finished last week with a 6-4 record. Dad has been through a tough stretch, and with a 3-7 showing last week, I am now in command of the season lead by one game at 59-56.
Only one college game this week, that being the tremendous Army-Navy Game at 3pm this Saturday in Philadelphia.
Next week we begin the Bowl Season part of the schedule, a grueling stretch that usually determines how well the Odds picking season goes.
So strap in, grab some snacks, and prepare yourself for the craziest part of the year on the football schedule! The fun is just beginning.
Lines as of 12/7/2018
NCAA Football
Saturday, December 8th
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA.
Navy Midshipmen (3-9) at Army Black Knights (9-2), 3:00 pm
Line: Army -6.5
Pick: PSN: Army | MJD: Navy
It is Army that is now playing well, and riding a two game winning streak in the series. The Black Knights are also going for their 2nd straight ten win season… they won’t fail in their mission, especially with Navy giving up 34.9 points per game in 2018.
NFL
Sunday, December 9th
NY Jets (3-9) at Buffalo Bills (4-8), 1:00 pm
Line: Buffalo -3.5
Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
Two bad teams collide, but one seems to play pretty well at home, so the Bills Mafia should be pretty happy at the end of this match-up. Check out the local kid in Robert Foster, who has eight receptions for 256 yards and one touchdown for Buffalo.
Carolina Panthers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (4-7-1), 1:00 pm
Line: Carolina -1.5
Pick: PSN: Carolina | MJD: Carolina
Carolina hasn’t been the same since that Steelers beat-down… the best remedy for that ailment is the Cleveland Browns. If they can’t beat this team, Ron Rivera may be making vacation plans a little earlier than expected.
Baltimore Ravens (7-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-2), 1:00 pm
Line: Kansas City -6.5
Pick: PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
Baltimore has been on a little bit of a roll lately. That ends this Sunday in Kansas City, even without the services of Kareem Hunt for the Chiefs.
New England Patriots (9-3) at Miami Dolphins (6-6), 1:00 pm
Line: New England -8.5
Pick: PSN: New England | MJD: New England
Given New England’s unending torture of the Dolphins, how can you not pick them in this one? Or… will the Patriots get caught look ahead to next week’s battle vs Pittsburgh?
Indianapolis Colts (6-6) at Houston Texans (9-3) 1:00 pm
Line: Houston -4.5
Pick: PSN: Houston | MJD: Indianapolis
I don’t think the Texans are anywhere near as good as their record indicates, but they shouldn’t have a problem beating the very average Colts at home.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-7) at LA Chargers (9-3), 4:05 pm
Line: LA Chargers -15.5
Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: LA Chargers
The Bengals are coming apart by the seams and get the glory of facing the red-hot Chargers who came back to stun the Steelers last week with a little help from the inept officials. Still, I’ll take the Bungles with 15.5 as LA is due to come back to earth here sometime.
Denver Broncos (6-6) at San Francisco 49ers (2-10), 4:05 pm
Line: Denver -5.5
Pick: PSN: Denver | MJD: Denver
Denver is on a two game wining streak and looks to make it three over the hapless 49ers.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) at Dallas Cowboys (7-5), 4:25 pm
Line: Dallas -3.5
Pick: PSN: Dallas | MJD: Dallas
The defending Super Bowl Champions are on life support and the plug may get pulled this Sunday in Dallas.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1) at Oakland Raiders (2-10), 4:25 pm
Line: Pittsburgh -12.5
Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers were rolling along on a six game wining streak before blowing the last two games in which they had command of. If they lose to this trash team in Oakland, they had better stay out there, or come back missing a few coaches.
Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 59-56 — .513
MJD: Last Week: 3-7 | Overall: 58-57 -1 .504
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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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