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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 10
Lines as of 11/19/2020
The Against All Odds season is heating up, as I have almost clawed my way back to .500 on the season. If that jabroni Nick Chubb would’ve scored instead of stepping out of bounds in the Browns game vs Houston, I would be 45-45 right now… Right now, I’m back by just one game in the standings to my dad, who has seen his once stellar record blown to bit the past four weeks.
Catch you early next week on Wednesday for the Thanksgiving Edition of Against All Odds.
NCAA Football Games
Saturday, November 21st
#9 Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) at #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -20.5
The Pick: PSN: Ohio State | MJD: Indiana
Indiana in the Top 10? Yes, in football, not basketball… just another sign the world is coming to an end soon. As well as Ohio State is playing, and they are definite contenders for the National Title, but Indiana is playing above board as well. My only concern is the Hoosiers not being a huge offensive juggernaut, as their luck lives and dies with it’s passing game. The Buckeyes and Justin Fields will be out to make an example out of the overrated Hoosiers.
Appalachian State Mountaineers (6-1) at #15 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (7-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC.
Vegas Line: Coastal Carolina -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Coastal Carolina | MJD: Appalachian State
How about this Coastal Carolina team? They are averaging 37.9 points per game but face their biggest challenge of the year in Appalachian State. The Chanticleers owe the Mountaineers one, as they have been outscored 246-118 and are 0-6 vs them lifetime. CC QB Grayson McCall will be the difference maker in this one.
#7 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-0) at UCF Knights (5-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Bounce House, Orlando, FL.
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: UCF
The Bearcats have been on fire, and now go on the road to Florida. Cincinnati is averaging 41.6 points per game, and their offense may have to eclipse that mark, as the high scoring Knights are putting up 44 points per game.
Iowa Hawkeyes (2-2) at Penn State Nittany Lions (0-4)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Vegas Line: Iowa -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Iowa | MJD: Penn State
James Franklin is under fire in Happy Valley where his team is 0-4 so far in 2020. Those screams will get even louder after the Hawkeyes come into Beaver Stadium and hand the Nittany Lions their lunch on Saturday.
Virginia Tech Hokies (4-4) at Pitt Panthers (4-4)
Game Time: 4:00 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt is an entirely different team offensively when QB Kenny Pickett is under center. Surprisingly, the Panther defense played outstanding vs Florida State despite having star SS Paris Ford leave the team the week before the game. I’m not sure if any of the poor players on either side will play with 100% efficiency if they are forced to play with oxygen inhibiting masks on while playing, thanks to the orders of PA Tyrant Governor Wolf, but hopefully no one will pass out. If I were coaching, I would not allow my players to comply. Pitt will hold off the Hokies and win outright.
NFL
Sunday, November 22nd
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -9.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
I don’t care if the wifey is watching this game outside, in a car, or right beside me in this game. Her little curse ends this week as her Jaguars are in for a pounding at the hands of Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. As evident by the score last week vs Cincinnati, I think the Steelers learned their lesson in playing down to their opponent as they did vs Dallas. The only chance the Jaguars have to cover is if the Steelers get up big and start resting players in advance of their Thanksgiving night tilt vs Baltimore, of which if they win both Sunday and next Thursday, would all but clinch the AFC North for the Steelers with five weeks left.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-5-1) at Cleveland Browns (6-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH.
Vegas Line: Cleveland -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Cleveland | MJD: Cleveland
Philadelphia sucks. The Browns and Baker Mayfield will find enough offense to send the Eagles whimpering back to their cesspool of a city. Not to be critical or anything…
Atlanta Falcons (3-6) at New Orleans Saints (7-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Vegas Line: New Orleans -3.5
The Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: New Orleans
I must be a glutton for punishment putting this game on here, but I have a feeling Jameis Winston steps up to the plate and has a big game here for the Saints.
Tennessee Titans (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.
Vegas Line: Baltimore -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
It’s official, the Steelers broke the Titans. However, Tennessee still has some time to fix their issues, and if they lose this game they would be in a world of trouble. I think the Titans make it close, but get nipped by a Justin Tucker FG at the end.
Miami Dolphins (6-3) at Denver Broncos (3-6)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at Empower Field, Denver, CO.
Vegas Line: Miami -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Miami | MJD: Denver
The Dolphins under Tua Tagovailoa are playing superb right now, and their good fortunes will continue in the rare air of Denver vs a bad Broncos squad.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 45-45 — (.500)
PSN: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 44-46 -1 (.488)
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
Against All Odds
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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