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Welcome to Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks! From the opening weekend of the NCAA football season through Super Bowl LIV, 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?
Last week almost went as guaranteed, but of course the Cultists let me down by letting Michigan storm back to make the cover. Still, 7-3 ain’t bad, and neither is 6-4, which is what dad posted. For the year, I have a 45-35 record, good enough for a two game lead as we head into week nine for the Against All Odds season.
Haven’t really had time to do much the past few days, so looks like you will all have to wait till next week’s edition to see me in enemy colors.
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 9
Lines as of 10/16/2019
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 26th
Miami Hurricanes (3-4) at Pitt Panthers (5-2)
Game Time: Noon at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Line: Pitt -5.5
Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
It’s time for a little payback this week for Pitt. Miami buried the Panthers last year 24-3 in what was one of the most lackluster efforts I had every witnessed from Pitt. This was fresh off of clinching the ACC Coastal crown. Pitt had better be focused and in a bad mood this time around. The U has plenty of talent, but they have no clue how to use it. Miami QB’s have been sacked a total of 31 times this season, which like last week for Syracuse, bodes quite badly for the Hurricane’s N’Kosi Perry, who may need Supplemental Insurance after this tilt. Panther defense will be coming to feed, and Kenny Pickett will make amends for 2018…
#13 Wisconsin Badgers (6-1) at #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0)
Game Time: Noon at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH.
Line: Ohio State -14.5
Pick: PSN: Ohio State | MJD: Wisconsin
Ohio State has been rolling along, and so was Wisconsin until Illinois shocked them last week. Do the Badgers have what it takes to bounce back? I don’t think so, Joel.
#6 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0) at Michigan State Spartans (4-3)
Game Time: 3:30 pm at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI.
Line: Penn State -5.5
Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
Penn State’s boogeyman is the Spartans, who always seem to have their number. This seems like a trap for me, where I’m supposed to pick Sparty thanks to PSU screwing me last week against Michigan, but no, I’m not getting suckered. Tell ya what, if the Nittany Lions shaft me this week, there will be no picture of me in enemy digs, so all of you Cultists had better hope this game results in a win for the Drak man…
#9 Auburn Tigers (6-1) at #2 LSU Tigers (7-0)
Game Time: 3:30 pm at Tiger Stadium, Baton-Rouge, LA.
Line: LSU -10.5
Pick: PSN: LSU | MJD: Auburn
This will be a great game to watch, but more than likely, odds are, I won’t get to see much, if any of it by the time I return home from Pitt smacking Miami around. LSU is running on all cylinders right now, and as good as Auburn is, it won’t be enough, as the War Eagle will be grounded by the end of the 3rd quarter in this one…
#8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1) at #19 Michigan Wolverines (5-2)
Game Time: 7:30 pm at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI.
Line: Michigan -1.5
Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Notre Dame
Honestly, I have no idea what to expect out of either of these two teams. Which Michigan team will be see? Wil it be the one from the 1st or 2nd half of last week’s loss to Penn State? The little voice in my head says the Wolverines will eek out a close win, good enough to cover, and send the Irish out of the Top Ten.
NFL
Sunday, October 27th
Denver Broncos (2-5) at Indianapolis Colts (4-2)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Line: Indianapolis -5.5
Pick: PSN: Indianapolis | MJD: Indianapolis
Indianapolis has been pretty good with Jacobi Brissett manning the team, no pun intended. His run and the Colts will continue this week against a below average Broncos team.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-7) at LA Rams (4-3)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Wembley Stadium, London, England
Line: LA Rams -12.5
Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
The poor Bungles and Andy Dalton get to travel to England to have Aaron Donald and his Rams chow down on them like a fresh batch of fish and chips.
NY Giants (2-5) at Detroit Lions (2-3-1)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Ford Field, Detroit, MI.
Line: Detroit -6.5
Pick: PSN: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
Matt Stafford and his receivers should be licking their chops at this juicy match-up. The Lions bounce back with a much needed victory.
Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1) at New Orleans Saints (6-1)
Game Time: 1:00 pm at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Line: New Orleans -9.5
Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: New Orleans
Will Drew Brees play or not…? Well, as of this column, he is considered a game-time decision. Even without Brees, the Saints have rolled with Teddy Bridgewater, so regardless of who plays, I like New Orleans to carve up the Cardinals.
Monday, October 28th
Miami Dolphins (0-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4)
Game Time: 8:15 pm at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Line: Pittsburgh -14.5
Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Miami
The Steelers are slowly getting all of their injured players back. It’s time for the coaches to turn Mason Rudolph loose, and definitely time for the rushing attack to gain some footing against the hapless Fish. Fitzpatrick will be good for several turnovers, so look for the Steelers to turn the Dolphins into sushi quickly in this one.
Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 45-35 — .562
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 43-37 -2 .537
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
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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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