Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks

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Are you a degenerate gambler? Perhaps you’re someone who picks games against the spread just for fun and to see how smart you really aren’t? If this describes you, or if you just like to be entertained by a crazy sports columnist, you’re in luck, because you’ve stumbled across Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks, a weekly post from the start of the football season, all the way to the Super Bowl, where me, Mike Drakulich (PSN), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on my father, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas line!

I cover both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers during the season for the fabulous NGSCSports.com!

Normally, we always include the local teams here in Western Pennsylvania, which are Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, and the Pittsburgh Steelers among our weekly picks. This gives me the chance to take shots at the opposing teams I really dislike, enraging certain readers, and adding delight to my busy weekends.

All in all, both my dad and I are pretty good at picking these games, but don’t take our word for it. You’re on your own when you place your bets, so don’t blame us if you lose… but you can share your winnings with us if you wish.

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 2020-21 Against All Odds Champion?


Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 1

Lines as of 09/17/2020

 

NCAA Football Games

Saturday, September 19th

 

Syracuse Orange (0-1) at #25 Pitt Panthers (1-0)

Game Time: Noon at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.

Vegas Line: Pitt -21.5

The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt

The Orange’s Tommy DeVito was sacked seven times in Syracuse’s blowout 31-6 loss to UNC last week. Not a good thing with Pitt’s vaunted defense waiting this week. Pitt blew away Austin Peay 55-0 with Kenny Pickett and the offense looking very sharp and efficient. If Pitt’s offense can put up just 24 points a game this team is headed for a huge season. Panthers squeeze the life out of the Orange.

 

South Florida Bulls (1-0) at #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0)

Game Time: 2:30 PM at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN.

Vegas Line: Notre Dame -25.5

The Pick: PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: South Florida

Notre Dame found itself in a battle vs Duke last week before pulling away in the 2nd half. This week should be a little easier… well, it better be or odds are I’ll be chalking up a loss in this one. No way… Irish roll.

 

#14 UCF Knights (0-0) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-0)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA.

Vegas Line: UCF -7.5

The Pick: PSN: Georgia Tech | MJD: Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets are coming off a victory over Florida State. Will that high last enough to propel them to another upset this week? I like Tech to keep this close at home.

#24 Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-0) at Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV.

Vegas Line: Appalachian State -4.5

The Pick: PSN: Appalachian State | MJD: Marshall

Marshall is used to playing a different Mountaineers squad, but the result will still be the same… a loss. App State comes in and takes care of business.

#17 Miami Hurricanes (1-0) at #18 Louisville Cardinals (1-0)

Game Time: 7:30 PM at Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, KY.

Vegas Line: Louisville -2.5

The Pick: PSN: Louisville | MJD: Miami

Big early game with implications in the ACC. I like Louisville to escape with a late score and hold off the visiting U.

 

NFL

Sunday, September 20th

Denver Broncos (0-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.

Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -6.5

The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh

Steelers defense? Check. Ben Roethlisberger back? Check. It won’t be the reception Big Ben deserves with no fans allowed in Heinz Field this week (thanks to the scumbag tyrant governor of Pennsylvania), but #7 will lead the offense to a victory at home vs the ailing Broncos.

NY Giants (0-1) at Chicago Bears (1-0)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.

Vegas Line: Chicago -6.5

The Pick: PSN: NY Giants | MJD: Chicago

The Giants have some offensive talent to work with, which is why I think they will keep this game closer than what the line is set at. Plus, do you really trust the Bears Mitchell Trubisky to excel two weeks in a row? The odds favor the G-men.

Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.

Vegas Line: Dallas -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Dallas | MJD: Atlanta

The Cowboys were stunned late last week vs the Rams. Now they face a Falcons team that can still rack up points on offense. Dak Prescott and company had better perform up to expectations or Jerry Jones may find his way into the locker room with a bat hidden inside one of AT&T Stadium’s $90 pizzas and start swinging away his rage.

Detroit Lions (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.

Vegas Line: Green Bay -6.5

The Pick: PSN: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay

Aaron Rodgers’ demise has been greatly exaggerated. The Lions will be victim #2 in Rodgers revenge tour of the 2020 season. The Packer offense will be too much for Matt Stafford and the Lions to compete with.

 

Buffalo Bills (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.

Vegas Line: Buffalo -5.5

The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo

No one surrounds those wagons like the Buffalo Bills defense, who look to propel themselves to a fast start. Josh Allen looked good last week vs the Jets and should be good to put up some points this week down in South Beach.


Pick Results

PSN: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0

MJD: Last Week: 0-0 Overall: 0-0

 

Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History

2019 Champion: MJD

2018 Champion: MJD

2017 Champion: PSN

2016 Champion: MJD

2015 Champion: MJD

2014 Champion: PSN

2013 Champion: PSN

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Mike Drakulich

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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Mike DrakulichYour 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!

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