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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 11
Lines as of 11/26/2020
The week that both of us have been patiently waiting for in Against All Odds finally arrived, and of course it happens the same week… I was feeling quite good about going 7-3 until I found out my dad ended up 8-2. For the second time in two weeks, I had a player heading for the endzone with under 30 seconds left that if he scores gives me the cover and the win, only to watch said player kneel at the one and kick me in the acorns yet again.
It is what it is, however, and I have to be stoked about finally climbing over .500 for the season to now be 51-49, still two games behind my dad.
We only disagreed on two games this week, so should the football gods be kind, perhaps we will be tied heading into the twilight of the season.
May all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families and the best of health!
NCAA
Friday, November 27th
#13 Iowa State Cyclones (6-2) at #17 Texas Longhorns (5-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX.
Vegas Line: Texas -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Iowa State | MJD: Texas
When I saw the line trending towards the Cyclones it immediately caught my attention. So with my first thought being go with my gut, I am doing just that, and I’m predicting that it will be a sad afternoon in Texas for the Longhorns.
#2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0) at #25 North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC.
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
This could be thee game where Notre Dame finally trips up… or that is what a few of the experts are saying, as they see UNC with the backs against the wall and coming out swinging this week. I say the Irish survive yet again, and do so by just enough to cover.
Saturday, November 28th
Penn State Nittany Lions (0-5) at Michigan Wolverines (2-3)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI.
Vegas Line: Michigan -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
How many wins does Penn State have again Dean Wormer?
Zero, point, zero.
Expect the number to grow to 0-6 after the Wolverines finally play a game up to expectations. Win or lose, it’s far past the time Jim Harbaugh takes a hike from the once proud program that was Michigan.
Pitt Panthers (5-4) at #4 Clemson Tigers (7-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC.
Vegas Line: Clemson -24.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Kenny Pickett has been the difference maker for Pitt since returning from injury, and despite the loss of SS Paris Ford, the Panthers defense has raised their play to another level the past two weeks. Clemson has not played in three weeks, and Trevor Lawrence has not thrown a pass in a game in over 35 days. The Tigers may very well win their game and avenge their only loss at home in regulation since the last time they played these Panthers, but I freaking guarantee it won’t be by 24 plus points.
#22 Auburn Tigers (5-2) at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Vegas Line: Alabama -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Alabama | MJD: Alabama
War Eagle vs Roll Tide!!! I heard these slogans yelled out daily during a fantastic week in Cancun once, but I’m afraid my old buddy with the wide brimmed hat and the cigar is going to be sad once again as his beloved Auburn Tigers get slap stomped by Bama once again.
NFL
Sunday, November 29th
LA Chargers (3-7) at Buffalo Bills (7-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
The Bills… well, sometimes you just never know what team they intend to bring out of the tunnel weekly. My weak guess is that they will rise up and beat down a lousy team traveling across country with nothing to play for.
Carolina Panthers (4-7) at Minnesota Vikings (4-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: Minnesota -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Carolina
With Christian McCaffrey out, it’s hard to envision the Panthers making any noise vs the Vikings who are just a better team at this point in the season.
NY Giants (3-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Vegas Line: NY Giants -4.5
The Pick: PSN: NY Giants | MJD: NY Giants
The Bengals just have the worst luck. Even I, as a lifelong Steelers fan, feel pretty badly about what happened to Joe Burrow last week. This kid has the look, is tough, and gained my respect, but it looks as if his rehab is going to be a long and painful one. I’m hoping the best for him and to see him back in uniform and 100% healthy as soon as possible. Cincinnati, minus their leader in Burrow, and Joe Mixon are in for a miserable week vs Daniel Jones and the Giants who are playing a little better after a rough start. Plus they still can win the worst division in the history of sports.
Baltimore Ravens (6-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0)
Game Time: 1:15 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Against All Odds, the Steelers got shafted yet again by the NFL and their COVID protocols. It doesn’t matter who plays or doesn’t play for the Ravens this week. Baltimore is headed into a buzzsaw to face an angry team that has the chance to all but sew up the AFC North title with a win. Chalk up victory #11 for Pittsburgh in a beatdown of their rivals.
Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Tampa Bay
Tom Brady is still playing beyond his age, but he is not the mistake free machine we once knew. Tampa will be playing with fire with another loss, but I can’t see how Tampa can right their ship in time to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who are just scoring at will.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 8-2 | Overall: 53-47 — (.530)
PSN: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 51-49 -2 (.510)
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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