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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 12
A tale of two sports.
In College football, I was feeling damn good–going 5-0, with lofty expectations of a monster week in picks.
Then, the NFL…
0-5.
Yep, as in zero freaking wins. Somehow the ratbirds from Baltimore couldn’t find a way to beat the lousy Dolphins, the Steelers sleepwalked to a tie vs the hapless Lions, Tennessee allowed a late game backdoor cover to New Orleans, the Falcons, who were playing better each week, got butchered by Dallas, who was carved up by Denver a week earlier.
To top it off, that same Denver team couldn’t beat the Eagles.
If anyone can explain to me the state of the NFL, be my guest.
Lines as of 11/18/2021
NCAA
Saturday, November 20th
#7 Michigan State (9-1) at #4 Ohio State (9-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -18.5
The Pick: PSN: Michigan State | MJD: Ohio State
Ohio State is on a roll, but let’s not get crazy here. The Buckeyes will likely win, but it won’t be an 18 plus point blowout. I mean, they barely put Penn State away…
Rutgers (5-5) at Penn State (6-4)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Vegas Line: Penn State -17.5
The Pick: PSN: Rutgers | MJD: Penn State
Speaking of Penn State… the Turnstile Champions hope to count another victory along with how many fans they’ll put up this week vs Rutgers.
#10 Wake Forest (9-1) at Clemson (7-3)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC.
Vegas Line: Clemson -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Wake Forest | MJD: Clemson
This game could have had huge implications if the previous Wake-UNC game counted in the ACC standings, but it didn’t, so Clemson will be playing for just pride in this one. I’m not sure the Tigers have enough offensively to keep up in this game.
Texas (4-6) at West Virginia (4-6)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV.
Vegas Line: WVU -2.5
The Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: WVU
Two mediocre teams meet Saturday at Noon with the winner having a chance to become Bowl eligible next week.
Virginia (6-4) at #18 Pitt (8-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pitt -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt will probably face Virginia without their star QB Brennan Armstrong, who has badly bruised ribs. If he does play, the Panther pass rush will have him in the medical tent by the end of the first quarter.
Kenny Pickett and the Panthers roll and clinch the ACC Coastal Division crown at home vs the Hoos…
NFL
Sunday, November 21st
Baltimore (6-3) at Chicago (3-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.
Vegas Line: Baltimore -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Baltimore | MJD: Chicago
Baltimore owes me one here, so they had better take care of business vs a lousy Bears team. Lamar Jackson shows rookie Justin Fields how it’s done in this one.
Detroit (0-8-1) at Cleveland (5-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH.
Vegas Line: Cleveland -9.5
The Pick: PSN: Cleveland | MJD: Cleveland
Who knows how this game will go? The Browns clubbed the Bengals two weeks ago, then were pasted by the Patriots last week. All in all, Cleveland should be able to fare better than the Steelers did, who tied the hapless Lions last week 16-16.
Houston (1-8) at Tennessee (8-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -10.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
The Titans take on the offensively anemic Texans and hopefully will find a way to not blow a late game lead this week, as they did in week 11. Ryan Tannehill should have a big game this week.
Washington (3-6) at Carolina (5-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.
Vegas Line: Carolina -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Carolina | MJD: Carolina
Carolina, behind Cam Newton, stomped the one loss Cardinals last week, and get a chance to keep rolling vs Washington, who shocked Tampa last week. Someone will come back to earth this week, so I’ll go with the home team here.
Pittsburgh (5-3-1) at LA Chargers (5-4)
Game Time: 8:20 PM at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA.
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -5.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: Pittsburgh
I have zero faith in Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who proved it is his offense, not Ben Roethlisberger’s arm, that refuses to attack downfield in the passing game. Both teams are a MASH unit right now, and even if #7 is able to suit up Sunday night, I can’t see the Steelers finding enough points to win here.
Against All Odds Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 61-49 — (.554)
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 61-49 — (.554)
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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