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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 2
Lines as of 09/25/2020
It wasn’t the greatest of season debuts for either myself or my dad. Both of us basically sucked, with my dad taking the early season lead with a 4-6 record. Let’s just say the odds were stacked against us in some bad play calling and inept abilities shown on the field, especially by Pitt and the Steelers who should have each covered easily.
NCAA Football Games
Saturday, September 26th
#24 Louisville Cardinals (1-1) at #21 Pitt Panthers (2-0)
Game Time: Noon at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pitt -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt’s defense is as good as it gets. They face a good challenge this week when Louisville brings their high powered offense to Heinz Field. Pitt’s offense, lead by Kenny Pickett, has the weapons to put up points, but the silly penalties and dropped passes have got to cease. Having WR Taysir Mack back for Pitt should help.
#23 Kentucky Wildcats (0-0) at #8 Auburn Tigers (0-0)
Game Time: Noon at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL.
Vegas Line: Auburn -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Auburn | MJD: Auburn
Should be a good game for a half before the better team takes over control, and that will be Bo Nix and the Tigers. War Eagle!
West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0) at #15 Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK.
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State -6.5
The Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: WVU
With the Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders injured, Oklahoma State will be in for a close match-up with WVU, who warmed up with a 56-10 rout of Eastern Kentucky. The Cowboys struggled to a 16-7 win over Tulsa.
Florida State Seminoles (0-1) at #12 Miami Hurricanes (2-0)
Game Time: 37:30 PM at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Miami -11.5
The Pick: PSN: Florida State | MJD: Miami
Miami pounded Louisville 47-34, while FSU is coming off a stunning opening week loss to Georgia Tech. I expect the two rivals to play this one into the 4th quarter where the U will come away with the victory for the 4th straight time.
N.C. State Wolfpack (1-0) at #20 Virginia Tech Hokies (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA.
Vegas Line: VaTech -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Virginia Tech | MJD: Virginia Tech
The Hokies will be missing a few players due to COVID protocols, and the Wolfpack will look to build of a 45-42 win vs Wake Forest. QB Hendon Hooker and Virginia Tech should have enough firepower to make the cover.
NFL
Sunday, September 27th
Houston Texans (0-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers defense is as good as it gets and will look to pressure Houston’s Deshaun Watson into making a few mistakes. If Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense continues to round into form, the Steelers will be sitting at 3-0 at the end of the day. Brutal beginning for the Texans having to face the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers to start the 2020 season…
LA Rams (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -2.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: Buffalo
This will be a good test for the Buffalo Bills who get the task of facing Aaron Donald and the Rams, who have a pretty stacked offense when Jared Goff is on. Buffalo’s Josh Allen is no slouch himself, and will be the biggest reason if Buffalo is able to come away with the home victory.
Tennessee Titans (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
The Vikings have been awful to start the season, but with talent like Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen in the huddle for Minnesota, it’s only a matter of time before that offense finds it’s footing. I’m going with the home team here.
NY Jets (0-2) at Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at Lucan Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Indianapolis -11.5
The Pick: PSN: Indianapolis | MJD: Indianapolis
The time for Phillip Rivers to find his new roots in Indy is here, and odds are it will come at the expense of the hapless Jets.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA.
Vegas Line: Seattle -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Seattle | MJD: Seattle
Dallas completed a crazy comeback last week vs the Falcons. They won’t be as fortunate this week when they visit Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.
Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 4-6 — (.400)
PSN: Last Week: 3-7 | Overall: 3-7 -1 (.300)
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
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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