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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 and 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 2021-22 Against All Odds Champion?
Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
Week 5
It was a bounce back week for one Pittsburgh team, but a pretty bad one yet again for the other. As for the guys picking the games?
Not good either.
A 5-5 record by me and a 4-6 spot by my dad went into the books last week, which gives me a three game advantage in this very young year.
In my 5-5 week, I was back-doored late in three of those contests. How quickly 8-2 turns into 5-5.
With the nights turning colder, perhaps the picks will get warmer. We shall see in week five.
Lines as of 9/30/2021
NCAA
Saturday, October 2nd
Pitt (3-1) at Georgia Tech (2-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Pitt -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Kenny Pickett and the high scoring Panthers take on Georgia Tech, a team Pitt has fared well against in the Narduzzi Era. A big win on the road in Atlanta to begin ACC play would help soften the blow from that Western Michigan loss a few weeks ago.
#14 Michigan (4-0) at Wisconsin (1-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI.
Vegas Line: Wisconsin -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
Michigan faces a tough road test and can continue proving Big Blue football is back.
Texas Tech (3-1) at West Virginia (2-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV.
Vegas Line: WVU -6.5
The Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: Texas Tech
WVU held tough last week vs Oklahoma before bowing out late by a last second field goal. Will the Mountaineers come out fired up or be caught in a big letdown?
#12 Ole Miss (3-0) at #1 Alabama (4-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Vegas Line: Alabama -14.5
The Pick: PSN: Ole Miss | MJD: Alabama
Ole Miss QB Matt Corral with a huge opportunity to showcase his talents to be the #1 quarterback taken in next year’s NFL Draft. Can the NCAA’s highest scoring offense power their way past Alabama?
Indiana (2-2) at #4 Penn State (4-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Vegas Line: Penn State -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Indiana
Penn State didn’t cover last week, so you’d think I’d be going with Indiana in this one.
That’s exactly what the Nittany Lions want so they can tack another loss on me. Not this week.
Sunday, October 3rd
Carolina (3-0) at Dallas (2-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Dallas -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Dallas | MJD: Dallas
If Christian McCaffrey was playing, I’d probably go with the Panthers here, but he’s out, so…
Cleveland (2-1) at Minnesota (1-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: Cleveland -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
Cleveland has played well so far in 2021, but methinks this is a game where the Browns get clipped on the road.
Tennessee (2-1) at NY Jets (0-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
If there is one team you bet against every week, it’s the Jets.
Arizona (3-0) at LA Rams (3-0)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA.
Vegas Line: LA Rams -5.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
Game of the Week yet again for the Rams, who crushed the Buccaneers last week. This game they prove they are the top team in the NFL.
Pittsburgh (1-2) at Green Bay (2-0)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at Lambeau Stadium, Green Bay, WI.
Vegas Line: Green Bay -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
The Steelers offensive line can’t run or pass block. The receivers can’t get open to save their lives. Ben Roethlisberger came back for this? Of course, after the last two eggs laid by Pittsburgh, they’ll come out and thump Green Bay somehow. Nothing surprises me anymore with this team.
Against All Odds Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 21-19 — (.525)
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 18-22 -3 (.450)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2020 Champion: MJD
2019 Champion: MJD
2018 Champion: MJD
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
(MJD leads series 5-3)
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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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