Anyone can pick the winners of football games. It’s a different animal when you are choosing against the Vegas odds. Here, my dad, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), and I, Mike Drakulich (PSN), put our money where our mouths are weekly, in Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks! From the opening weekend of the NCAA football season through the Super Bowl, I take on my father in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas Odds.
I cover 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 the best five Bowl games of the week 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?
The Curse of Bowl Season continues… another 4-6 week for me, but this time, dad goes 6-4 and now takes a one game lead in the standings with just four weeks of Against All Odds left.
This week could get very interesting as we differ on six games! It’s the last of the Bowl games until the National Championship on January 13th.
Hope you all had a great Christmas, as my family and fellow Orthodox Serbs are waiting for ours on January 7th!
Catch you all next week and may you all have a Happy New Year!
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks
Lines as of 12/30/2019
NCAA Football
Tuesday, December 31st
Liberty Bowl
Kansas State Wildcats (8-4) at #23 Navy Midshipmen (10-2)
Game Time: 3:45 p.m. at Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN.
Line: Navy -2.5
Pick: PSN: Navy | MJD: Navy
Navy runs like a possessed Forrest Gump, and they alter their game plan for no one. It’s here we are and try and stop us. Kansas State has more talent, but you can’t overtake the heart of the Middies. Navy completes a great season with a Liberty Bowl victory.
Alamo Bowl
Texas Longhorns (7-5) at #11 Utah Utes (11-2)
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. at Alamodome, San Antonio, TX.
Line: Utah -7.5
Pick: PSN: Utah | MJD: Texas
Wednesday, January 1st
Citrus Bowl
#14 Michigan Wolverines (9-3) at #13 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2)
Game Time: 1:00 p.m. at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.
Line: Alabama -6.5
Pick: PSN: Alabama | MJD: Alabama
Outback Bowl
#18 Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-2) at #12 Auburn Tigers (9-3)
Game Time: 1:00 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
Line: Auburn -7.5
Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Auburn
Rose Bowl
#8 Wisconsin Badgers (10-3) at #6 Oregon Ducks (11-2)
Game Time: 5:00 p.m. at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.
Line: Wisconsin -3.5
Pick: PSN: Wisconsin | MJD: Oregon
Sugar Bowl
#7 Baylor Bears (11-2) at #5 Georgia Bulldogs (11-2)
Game Time: 8:45 p.m. at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Line: Georgia -5.5
Pick: PSN: Georgia | MJD: Georgia
NFL Wild Card Weekend
Saturday, January 4th
#5 Buffalo Bills (10-6) at #4 Houston Texans (10-6)
Game Time: 4:35 p.m. at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.
Line: Houston -3.5
Pick: PSN: Houston | MJD: Buffalo
#6 Tennessee Titans (9-7) at #3 New England Patriots (12-4)
Game Time: 8:15 p.m. at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA.
Line: New England -4.5
Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: New England
Sunday, January 5th
#6 Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at #3 New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Game Time: 1:05 p.m. at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Line: New Orleans -8.5
Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: Minnesota
#5 Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at #4 Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Game Time: 4:240 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA.
Line: Seattle -2.5
Pick: PSN: Seattle | MJD: Seattle
Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 92-83 — .517
PSN: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 91-84 -1 .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
- 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!
