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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 8
Lines as of 11/5/2020
It’s been an interesting year in Against All Odds to say the least. I haven’t picked well at all, but somehow have picked up two games in the standing despite being 9-11 the last two weeks. Dad has cooled off a bit since his fast start. It should be a fun stretch drive as we head into the 2nd half of the year in football!
NCAA Football Games
Saturday, November 7th
West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) at #22 Texas Longhorns (4-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM, at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX.
Vegas Line: Texas -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Texas | MJD: Texas
I’ve just about had it with WVU… that’s three weeks in a row they’ve cost me a win here. The Mountaineers have fared well vs Texas in the past, but the Longhorns seem to be trending in a positive direction right now.
#8 Florida Gators (3-1) at #5 Georgia Bulldogs (4-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL.
Vegas Line: Georgia -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Florida | MJD: Georgia
Florida’s offense under Kyle Trask at quarterback is putting up big numbers, and they’ll need to break through against Georgia’s stout defense. Problem is, Dawgs QB Stetson Bennett has been struggling. Florida takes care of business in a neutral site match-up.
Maryland Terrapins (1-1) at Penn State Nittany Lions (0-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Vegas Line: Penn State -25.5
The Pick: PSN: Maryland | MJD: Maryland
Not sure what Maryland team will come out of the tunnel Saturday, but I can’t see under any circumstances that they get clubbed by more than 25 by the winless Nittany Lions.
Pitt Panthers (3-4) at Florida State Seminoles (2-4)
Game Time: 4:00 PM at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL.
Vegas Line: Florida State -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Florida State
I must be insane making this pick for Pitt. But… I look at this spread and I’m perplexed on how in thee hell Pitt is just a 1.5 dog to FSU. Then I did my Pitt-FSU Preview and noticed how many yards the Seminoles give up per game, how bad their defense is, and how they were butchered by Louisville last week. Pitt gets back to .500 after their first visit to Tallahassee since Dan Marino was playing.
#1 Clemson Tigers (7-0) at #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN.
Vegas Line: Clemson -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Clemson | MJD: Notre Dame
Yes, Trevor Lawrence is out for Clemson, but D.J. Uiagalelei looked pretty good once he got warmed up last week. This is the first real test for Notre Dame, and they will be exposed for the frauds they are this week.
NFL
Sunday, November 8th
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (5-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Baltimore -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Baltimore | MJD: Indianapolis
Big game for the Ravens who have a tough road test at Indianapolis. A loss here would likely give the Steelers a three game advantage in the division with just eight games left. The Ravens will find a way to weasel a win out against Phillip Rivers and an inconsistent Colts squad.
Carolina Panthers (3-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -10.5
The Pick: PSN: Carolina | MJD: Kansas City
Christian McCaffrey is back and he will give the Panther’s offense a big boost. Double digits is a tough sell, even at home for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs against a Carolina team that has most of it’s weapons available for the first time in awhile.
NY Giants (1-7) at Washington Football Team (2-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at FedEx Field, Landover, MD.
Vegas Line: Washington -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Washington | MJD: NY Giants
Both teams are a mess, but I’ll take the home team who also has a much better defense.
Houston Texans (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at TIAA Bank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL.
Vegas Line: Houston -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Houston | MJD: Houston
Another dog of a game, but I see an easy victory here for the Texans who play the Jags who will be missing QB Gardner Minshew.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-6)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
This could get ugly in a hurry. Ben DiNucci will likely start for Dallas, and if he thought he was running for his life against the Eagles, God help him vs the Steelers. Big day for Pittsburgh’s offense.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 38-32 — (.542)
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 33-37 -5 (.471)
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
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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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