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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 12
Lines as of 12/3/2020
Looked good starting off Friday night at 2-0, but then went right off the cliff to go 3-5 the rest of the way to go 5-5, which was bad enough to allow my dad to extend his lead over me to three games, as he went 6-4. Dad, against all odds, is still looking pretty good at 59-51!
NCAA
Saturday, December 5th
Penn State Nittany Lions (1-5) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-4)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ.
Vegas Line: Penn State -12.5
The Pick: PSN: Rutgers | MJD: Penn State
Rutgers has blown more leads than the Atlanta Falcons this season, so their record may be a little deceiving than it looks. I like the fact that they are scoring 30.8 points per game, so I’m comfortable that the scrubs from Jersey will at least make the cover.
West Virginia Mountaineers (5-3) at #9 Iowa State Cyclones (7-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA.
Vegas Line: Iowa State -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Iowa State | MJD: Iowa State
WVU has shafted me over and over this year, but that trend ends here, as the Cyclones will send the Mountaineers to the basement weather shelter.
#12 Indiana Hoosiers (5-1) at #16 Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI.
Vegas Line: Wisconsin -14.5
The Pick: PSN: Indiana | MJD: Indiana
Indiana will be minus their star QB, but the back-up isn’t some slouch… Jack Tuttle was a former four star prospect that transferred from Utah so… at worst, this resilient Hoosiers team will stick around till the end.
#13 BYU Cougars (9-0) at #18 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-0)
Game Time: 5:30 PM at Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC.
Vegas Line: BYU -10.5
The Pick: PSN: Coastal Carolina | MJD: BYU
Big game for both programs as College Game Day visits Conway and the campus of Coastal Carolina. Should be a shootout as BYU is averaging 47.6 points per game and Coastal Carolina 38.7 ppg.
#3 Clemson Tigers (8-1) at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA.
Vegas Line: Clemson -21.5
The Pick: PSN: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Clemson will be out for blood as they head down the stretch, and VaTech will be within the chalk outline this weekend.
NFL
Sunday, December 6th
New Orleans Saints (9-2) at Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: New Orleans -2.5
The Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: Atlanta
Can Taysom Hill keep the Saints rolling? It will be tough as Atlanta has really gotten hot of late, and still have an outside shot at the playoffs if they can win here.
Cleveland Browns (8-3) at Tennessee Titans (8-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
Cleveland has been battered every time they’ve faced a quality opponent this year. Will the same hold true here vs the Titans? Tennessee needs to get to Baker Mayfield, who hates being pressured, if not… maybe the Browns finally get the big win they’ve searched for all year.
Indianapolis Colts (7-4) at Houston Texans (4-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.
Vegas Line: Indianapolis -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Indianapolis | MJD: Houston
Players from the Texans are dropping like flies, with WR Will Fuller being the most recent after being suspended for PED use for six games. Indy looks to rebound after being pounded by the Titans last week.
LA Rams (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ.
Vegas Line: LA Rams -2.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: Arizona
Both of these teams are head cases… which team will show up, and for how long. I’ll go with the better defense here, so I like Aaron Donald and the Rams to get the road win after last week’s embarrassing loss to the 49ers.
Monday, December 7th
Washington Football Team (4-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0)
Game Time: 5:00 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Thankfully, this game hasn’t been moved 34 times like last weeks game was. The Steelers, as a whole, should come into this one with their pride on the line, as their performance vs the Ravens was “JV” as head coach Mike Tomlin said. It looks as if DE Stephon Tuitt will be back, as will RB James Conner. Steelers by double digits, as Washington will find out first hand they aren’t playing Cinci or Dallas in this one.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 59-51 — (.536)
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 56-54 -3 (.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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