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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 13
Lines as of 12/9/2020
It’s been an up and down season for both my dad and I, but here we are in week 13, both tied at 63-57. My 7-3 record last week finally pulled me even, after being down by as much as 10 games to my dad earlier this year. The stretch run will be very interesting indeed in Against All Odds!
NCAA
Thursday, December 10th
Pitt Panthers (5-5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-6)
Game Time: 7:00 PM at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Pitt -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt’s offense, behind Kenny Pickett, will put up plenty of points against a brutally bad defense employed by Georgia Tech. To boot, the Yellow Jackets like to run, which is the Pitt defense’s specialty in stopping. Pitt wins big.
Saturday, December 12th
Navy Midshipmen (3-6) at Army Black Knights (7-2)
Game Time: 3:00 PM at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY.
Vegas Line: Navy -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Army | MJD: Army
This one will be played at West Point instead of in Baltimore or Philadelphia. Army is scoring over 30 points per game, and Navy limps into this one having lost four straight. Wrong team is favored… Black Knights prevail.
Michigan State Spartans (2-4) at Penn State Nittany Lions (2-5)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Vegas Line: Penn State -14.5
The Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
Two once proud programs are playing for scraps in this one. Penn State should be able to cover vs a bad Sparty defense.
#16 Wisconsin Badgers (2-2) at #19 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA.
Vegas Line: Wisconsin -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Iowa | MJD: Iowa
Wisconsin is coming off a beating at the hands of Indiana. Not sure how they are favored on the road vs the Hawkeyes.
#15 USC Trojans (4-0) at UCLA Bruins (3-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.
Vegas Line: USC -3.5
The Pick: PSN: USC | MJD: UCLA
The annual city rivalry game is on, and as much as I love Carnell Lake, it will be Troy Polamalu’s Trojans who will reign tall this week in Pasadena.
NFL
Sunday, December 13th
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) at Miami Dolphins (8-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Miami | MJD: Kansas City
Kansas City has been winning, but not exactly blowing their opponents away. I like the Fish to keep this one interesting.
Arizona Cardinals (6-6) at NY Giants (5-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Arizona -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Arizona | MJD: NY Giants
Two teams going nowhere, no matter if either or both somehow make the playoffs. Kyler Murray has played subpar of late, but should be able to outscore Daniel Jones and the Giants.
Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Raymond James Stadium Stadium, Tampa, FL.
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Tampa Bay | MJD: Tampa Bay
Tampa hasn’t played up to the preseason hype, but Tom Brady and his wealth of weapons will step it up this week, as a loss at home could send the Bucs on the outside looking in for the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans (8-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-11)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at TIAA Bank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Jacksonville
Tennessee was being seal clubbed by Cleveland last week before almost pulling off a monumental comeback. They’ll take out their frustrations against the lowly Jags.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1) at Buffalo Bills (9-3)
Game Time: 8:20 PM at Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers have hit a snag the past two games, but they did have their schedule disrupted, and were missing some key players to boot. People are acting like this team hasn’t beaten anybody and the lack of respect is outright laughable. Expect a focused Steelers team to come out and show the Bills and the so called experts their demise has been greatly exaggerated.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 63-57 — (.525)
PSN: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 63-57 — (.525)
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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