Against All Odds

Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks

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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 10

Over the past few weeks, both my dad and I have been on a roll, but in week nine, it was dad who kept on rolling right into a great 7-3 record, which upped his season record to 50-40, just two game behind yours truly now.

Not to be a little cocky, but our records compared to many of the the so called experts out there are like when the bug meets the windshield. All in all, we are kicking some tail against the odds, and plan on continuing down that road.

It’s November, which means we are headed down the final month of college football before all the Bowl madness begins.

As usual, we have a great slate of games prepare for you, so sit back, grab a cold one, and enjoy the read.

Till next week…

Lines as of 11/5/2021

 

NCAA 

Saturday, November 6th

#25 Pitt (6-2) at Duke (3-5)

Game Time: 12:00 PM at Brooks Field at Wallace Stadium, Durham, NC.

Vegas Line: Pitt -21.5

The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt

Pitt’s defense… and the refs to a point, failed the Panthers last week in their loss to Miami. Still, the ACC Coastal Division is still here for the taking, so Duke, who has been out scored 93-7 the past two weeks, is in for a beating at the hands of Kenny Pickett and the Pitt offense.

 

#9 Wake Forest (8-0) at North Carolina (4-4)

Game Time: 12:00 PM at Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC.

Vegas Line: UNC -2.5

The Pick: PSN: Wake Forest | MJD: UNC

Wake Forest, if they are to make the ACC Championship, have a brutal stretch of weeks to prove their mettle. Up first is a UNC team that was supposed to be a contender for the game in the Coastal Division. Though the Tar Heels are a dangerous foe, especially at home, I like the Demon Deacons to pull out a well earned victory in Chapel Hill.

 

#11 Oklahoma State (7-1) at West Virginia (4-4)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV.

Vegas Line: Oklahoma State -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Oklahoma State | MJD: Oklahoma State

You know the chants that have been circulating around sports and public places everywhere, that being “Let’s go Brandon!”, followed by “FJB!”– the last part abbreviated for family purposes? Well, you know what I mean.

Over the past month, no matter how I pick West Virginia, they absolutely screw me over, so to that, I say, “Let’s go Cowboys… FWVU!!!”.

Here’s to Oklahoma State winning in a bloodbath similar to Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.

 

#3 Michigan State (8-0) at Purdue (5-3)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Ross-Ade Stadium

Vegas Line: Michigan State -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Michigan State | MJD: Michigan State

The Spartans got lucky last week vs Michigan, and now have to avoid a letdown vs Purdue on the road.

 

#20 Penn State (5-3) at Maryland (5-3)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD.

Vegas Line: Penn State -10.5

The Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Penn State

Penn State did better offensively than I expected last week and made the cover, handing me one of my four losses that Saturday. After three straight losses, the Nittany Lions hope to finally get that winning feeling back vs Maryland.

They had better, for with Michigan and Michigan State looming in two of the next three weeks, PSU may have to rely on beating Rutgers to count how may fans they can fill into some bottom feeder Bowl they get assigned to.

 

Sunday, November 7th

Cleveland (4-4) at Cincinnati (5-3)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.

Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5

The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cleveland

Both of these teams are head cases. Cleveland just divorced themselves from Odell Beckham, who isn’t anywhere near as good as he thinks he is anyway, and the Bengals, for all the progress they’ve made this season, are fresh off of being whacked by the Jets last week.

That said, I think Cinci has the better offense here, and will take care of business this week, proving once again that, well, “The Browns be the Browns…”

 

Buffalo (5-2) at Jacksonville (1-6)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at TIAA Bank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL.

Vegas Line: Buffalo -14.5

The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo

The Buffalo offense behind Josh Allen look to pad their stats vs the lowly Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, who is starting to look like some schlub, instead of the next generational quarterback.

 

Minnesota (3-4) at Baltimore (5-2)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.

Vegas Line: Baltimore -6.5

The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Baltimore

Baltimore is another team that you never quite know what to expect of week to week. Minnesota will give the Ravens all they have, if not pull off the  upset. Dad sees the Baltimore being too tough to overcome at home.

 

LA Chargers (4-3) at Philadelphia (3-5)

Game Time: 4:05 PM at Lincoln Finacial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA.

Vegas Line: LA Chargers -1.5

The Pick: PSN: Philadelphia | MJD: LA Chargers

As soon as I looked into this game, I had it pegged as a sucker bet to take the Chargers, who fly across country on a two game losing streak. I like Philly to take care of business in front of their all bark and no bite fans.

 

Monday, November 8th

Chicago (3-5) at Pittsburgh (4-3)

Game Time: 8:15 PM at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.

Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -6.5

The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh

Ben Roethlisberger needs to find a way to open up the Pittsburgh offense. I mean, we’re seven games in. The Bears and Lions in the next two weeks are good test subjects to right the ship and get this team really rolling in the right direction.

Steelers at home, under the lights in prime time? Oh heck yes, Steelers club Chicago in this one.


Against All Odds Pick Results

PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 52-38    —   (.570)

MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 50-40   -2   (.555)

 

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)

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Mike Drakulich

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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Mike DrakulichYour source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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