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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! Check out the Draftkings welcome offer to see how you can win big and find many bonuses.
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 5
Lines as of 10/15/2020
Alrighty… enough is enough. After having my ass kicked the past several weeks, it’s time to step up my game here. With a paltry 4-6 record last week, I fell six games back of my dad who continues to kill me and just about every other prognosticator with a solid 24-16 record through four weeks.
I guarantee a record of 7-3 or better this week.
NCAA Football Games
Saturday, October 17th
Pitt Panthers (3-2) at #13 Miami Hurricanes (3-1)
Game Time: Noon at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Miami -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt still has a great defense, and Miami’s offense is good, but not that good. Pitt will keep it close before finding another way to lose late Saturday.
Kansas Jayhawks (0-3) at West Virginia Mountaineers (2-1)
Game Time: Noon at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV.
Vegas Line: WVU -22.5
The Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: Kansas
Kansas is just about everyone’s whipping boy, and this week will be no different as the Jayhawks visit to comfy confines of Mountaineer Stadium.
Louisville Cardinals (1-3) at #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0)
Game Time: 2:30 PM at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN.
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -17.5
The Pick: PSN: Louisville | MJD: Notre Dame
The Irish are in the hunt for a National Title, but I’m just not a believer yet. Louisville will keep it closer than the spread.
Boston College Eagles (3-1) at #23 Virginia Tech Hokies (2-1)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA.
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech -12.5
The Pick: PSN: Boston College | MJD: VaTech
Boston College is playing well, and they should have enough offense under Phil Jurkovec to make Virginia Tech sweat this one out.
#3 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Vegas Line: Alabama -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Alabama | MJD: Alabama
Alabama will be without head coach Nick Saban, but it won’t make a difference. The Tide will roll in primetime.
NFL
Sunday, October 18th
Cleveland Browns (4-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
This one feels like a tilt from the early 90’s, but will end as it has the past 28 years… with Cleveland busing back home with their tails between their legs. Big Ben and the Steelers enact revenge for last season.
Houston Texans (1-4) at Tennessee Titans (4-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Houston
The Titans clobbered the Bills last week after a long layoff and face a Texans team in turmoil.
Atlanta Falcons (0-5) at Minnesota Vikings (1-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: Minnesota -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
Minnesota will be without Dalvin Cook, but they have enough weapons to keep the Falcons winless.
Denver Broncos (1-3) at New England Patriots (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA.
Vegas Line: New England -9.5
The Pick: PSN: New England | MJD: Denver
New England gets Cam Newton back and their defense will shut down Denver’s anemic offense.
NY Jets (0-5) at Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Miami -9.5
The Pick: PSN: Miami | MJD: Miami
The hapless Jets are the punching bag this week for the Dolphins who should be good to cover with Ryan Fitzpatrick playing well.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 24-16 — (.600)
PSN: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 18-22 -6 (.450)
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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