0
0
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 6
Lines as of 10/22/2020
It was a good week for both my dad and I, but a better one, as has been the case all season long, for my dad who added to his lead over me going 7-3 to my 6-4. Those roles would have been reversed had WVU not allowed Kansas to return a kickoff for a touchdown 92 yards after going up 38-10 and covering the spread with a minute left… As Al Bundy would say, “Good one, God.”
Dad’s record of 31-19 vs the spread is as good as any experts I’ve seen across the net. I do plan on carving into that lead over me this week, though…
NCAA Football Games
Saturday, October 24th
#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0) at Pitt Panthers (3-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM, at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -10.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Notre Dame barely beat Louisville last week. Pitt’s defense is still one of the best in the NCAA. It’s the Irish unstoppable rushing attack vs Pitt’s immovable run defense. This is just the type of game Pitt finds a way to hang around and steal, but Joey Yellen and the Pitt offense will have to stop kicking field goals and start finding the endzone.
#8 Penn State Nittany Lions (0-0) at Indiana Hoosiers (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN.
Vegas Line: Penn State -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Indiana | MJD: Penn State
First game for both teams this year and Penn State is missing some studs in this one. Indiana always seems to give the Nittany Lions fits at home.
West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-3)
Game Time: 5:30 PM at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX.
Vegas Line: WVU -3.5
The Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: Texas Tech
WVU with an excellent chance of winning their third straight against a subpar Texas Tech squad.
#18 Michigan Wolverines (0-0) at #21 Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: Michigan -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
Michigan might have had a better chance to win this game with Joe Milton at quarterback had they played a creampuff to start the season and got some experience on his resume. I don’t like their odds on the road vs Minnesota, even with a top tier defense.
#9 Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0) at #16 SMU Mustangs (5-0)
Game Time: 9:00 PM at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX.
Vegas Line: SMU -2.5
The Pick: PSN: SMU | MJD: SMU
The Mustangs will find a way to please their home fans with a victory over the top 10 Bearcats.
NFL
Sunday, October 25th
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-0) at Tennessee Titans (5-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Prepare the ice baths after these two physical teams meet up. For as good as Derrick Henry is, he hasn’t faced a defense like this all season. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will rise above the challenge this week and set up a showdown with their rivals from Baltimore next week.
Carolina Panthers (3-3) at New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Vegas Line: New Orleans -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Carolina | MJD: New Orleans
WR Michael Thomas is questionable yet again, and that means another close game for Drew Brees and the Saints, who might even lose outright to the up and down Panthers, who hope to see Christian McCaffrey back next week.
Dallas Cowboys (2-4) at Washington Football Team (1-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at FedEx Field, Landover, MD.
Vegas Line: Washington -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Dallas | MJD: Dallas
This is the edge of the cliff for Andy Dalton and the Cowboys. A loss here would be devastating to a pathetic Washington squad. The again, the NFC East sucks and no matter who loses, that team will still be in contention for a division title. First one to six wins wins it outright?
Green Bay Packers (4-1) at Houston Texans (1-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.
Vegas Line: Green Bay -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
The Packers were humiliated last week against the Bucs, so my guess is they’ll be out to make amends vs a Houston team that always finds a way to lose.
Buffalo Bills (4-2) at NY Jets (0-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
The Bills have dropped two straight after starting off 4-0. No problem… we have the solution to their problems, at least temporarily… the New York Jets, everybody’s punching bag!
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 31-19 — (.620)
PSN: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 24-26 -7 (.480)
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!
-
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!
Latest entries
NFLDecember 6, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns GameDay Preview
FootballDecember 6, 2024Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
Radio ShowsDecember 5, 2024WPIAL Football Report: PIAA State Championships
NFLNovember 30, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals GameDay Preview
