0
0
Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks! From the opening weekend of the NCAA football season through Super Bowl LIII, 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 line.
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 2019-20 Against All Odds Champion?
It had to happen eventually… not only did my dad finally best me, last week was the first time all year I didn’t hit .500 or better, going a paltry 4-6 as some crazy scores were recorded in both NCAA and NFL play.
With dad going 5-5, he was able to cut my lead over him to just three games.
Time to get back to work this week and guarantee at least 7-3 or better. Against all odds, mark it down!
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 6
Lines as of 10/3/2019
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 5th
Purdue Boilermakers (1-3) at #12 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0)
Game Time: Noon at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Line: Penn State -27.5
Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
After demolishing Maryland last week, Penn State shouldn’t have a problem burying the awful Boilermakers. They better enjoy it while it lasts…
#11 Texas Longhorns (3-1) at West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1)
Game Time: 3:30 pm at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV,
Line: Texas -10.5
Pick: PSN: Texas | MJD: Texas
Txas and WVU have gotten into a few shootouts, and this one will probably follow suit, but the Mountaineers won’t be able to keep up all game. Hook ’em horns!
#7 Auburn Tigers (5-0) at # 10 Florida Gators (5-0)
Game Time: 3:30 pm at Florida Field, Gainesville, FL.
Line: Auburn -2.5
Pick: PSN: Auburn | MJD: Florida
Great mid-afternoon game between two rivals. I have a feeling War Eagle will soar high in a tough road game vs Florida. No Gator Chomp this time.
#25 Michigan State Spartans (4-1) at #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0)
Game Time: 7:30 at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH.
Line: Ohio State -19.5
Pick: PSN: Ohio State | MJD: Michigan State
Ohio State clobbered Nebraska last week in Lincoln. Next up on the menu are the Spartans, who aren’t as good as their 4-1 record shows. Buckeyes blow away MSU at home.
Pitt Panthers (3-2) at Duke Blue Devils (3-1)
Game Time: 8:00 pm at Brooks Field, Durham, NC.
Line: Duke -5.5
Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
The Panthers will get starting QB Kenny Pickett back, and that should get the offense back on track. Duke’s Quentin Harris is a bad dude, but he hasn’t witnessed a pass rush like this all season. Pitt’s D will come up big again and secure a much needed road victory headed into the bye week.
NFL
Sunday, October 6th
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Line: Baltimore -3.5
Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Baltimore isn’t that good. They are bad defensively, and yet they are the favorites coming into Heinz Field. This is a sucker bet all around. I see the Steelers taking another step forward with their offense under Mason Rudolph, and the defense making Lamar Jackson’s life very miserable. He’s bee sacked ten times this year… more are coming this week.
Chicago Bears (3-1) at Oakland Raiders (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England.
Line: Chicago -4.5
Pick: PSN: Chicago | MJD: Chicago
This one will be played in England, so get your fish, chips, and Boddington’s beer ready… The Bears will have Chase Daniels starting in place of the injured Mitch Trubisky, and that’s not a bad thing. Bears and their defense will be too much for the Raiders to handle.
Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at NY Giants (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Line: Minnesota -5.5
Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: NY Giants
I like Dalvin Cook and the Vikings offense to roll against a sub-par Giants defense. Maybe Kirk Cousins will find a way to find his disgruntled receivers in this one, too. Ya Digg?
NY Jets (0-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA.
Line: Philadelphia -13.5
Pick: PSN: Philadelphia | MJD: Philadelphia
The Eagles have been up and down all year, but the Jets are just what the doctor ordered. Fly Eagles fly in this one…
Denver Broncos (0-4) at LA Chargers (2-2)
Game Time: 4:05 pm at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA.
Line: LA Chargers -6.5
Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
The Broncos are not a very good team, and for that matter, either are the Chargers, but LA should find enough electricity in their offense to make the cover here.
Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 28-22 — .560
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 25-25 -3 .500
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2018 Champion: MJD
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
-
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!
Latest entries
FeaturesMarch 18, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 12, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 3, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesFebruary 25, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports