Against All Odds

Against All Odds: Thanksgiving Edition

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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 13

People who know me well would tell you that there is one trait I have among all others.

I don’t like to lose.

I hate it… despise it. My blood boils. I don’t like to die once in Call of Duty, even if I take out 100 others.

That’s how competitive I am.

So, two weeks ago was bad enough going 5-5 when I had started out 5-0 in NCAA picks.

This week made the one previous seem like a massage.

1-9.

That’s one win and nine losses… dropping me to 62-58 on the year.

As for my dad? Well, as he has the past three years, is back to kicking my ass, going 6-4 and upping his record to 67-53, now good for a five game lead over me.

Usually my collapse come during Bowl season, not before it.

But, we’re gonna sweep that under the rug and find a way to start winning again, and trimming that lead off my dad and taking him down for the first time since 2017. Let’s get it on!

We have our Thanksgiving Special Edition with all the games on Turkey Day.

So, from my family to yours, may you all have a great Thanksgiving, and I’ll see you for Championship Week!

 

Against All Odds Lines as of 11/24/2021

NCAA 

Saturday, November 27th

#2 Ohio State (10-1) at #5 Michigan (10-1)

Game Time: 12:00 PM at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI.

Vegas Line: Ohio State -8.5

The Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Michigan

Ohio State is on a roll, destroying Michigan State last week, but this is the rivalry of rivalries, right?

Michigan vs Ohio State.

Now growing up, the Wolverines routinely pounded the Buckeyes. Now the script has been flipped for quite some time.

Jim Harbaugh has done a very good job in getting Big Blue back into the limelight, but it will all be for naught if they fail to win this game.

The biggest question will be if Michigan’s vaunted defense can contain Heisman hopeful C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes QB who was thrown for 3,468 yards, with 36 TD’s and five picks?

I expect a close game that could go down to turnovers. Michigan will cover, if not shock the Buckeyes outright.

 

Penn State (7-4) at #12 Michigan State (9-3)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI.

Vegas Line: Penn State -1.5

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

Michigan State has a bloated ranking, looking more like pretenders than any type of contenders. That is evident by the Spartans being underdogs at home. If Sparty has any self respect, they take that to heart and take care of business vs the Nittany Lions.

 

#10 Oklahoma (10-1) at #7 Oklahoma State (10-1)

Game Time: 7:30 PM at Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK.

Vegas Line: Oklahoma State -4.5

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

This could be the first of two consecutive meeting for these two teams. Then again, maybe not, depending on who wins… Wins the next two weeks could vault Oklahoma State into the playoff.

 

West Virginia (5-6) at Kansas (2-9)

Game Time: 7:00 PM at Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS.

Vegas Line: WVU -15.5

The Pick: PSN: WVU | MJD: WVU

The couch burners may see their season continue with a win, as they would become Bowl eligible. It’s going to be quite cold on Saturday night in Morgantown, but they’ll have a places to warm up after the Mountaineers bury Kansas.

 

#17 Pitt (9-2) at Syracuse (5-6)

Game Time: 7:30 PM at Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY.

Vegas Line: Pitt -12.5

The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt

One goal is down for Pitt, that winning the ACC Coastal Division, next up is double digit wins in the regular season for the first time since 1982. The Orange specialize in running the ball. Unfortunately, the Panthers specialize in stopping the run. Pitt wins big and begins preparations for the ACC Championship game…

 

NFL

Thanksgiving, November 25th

Chicago (3-7) at Detroit (0-9-1)

Game Time: 12:30 PM at Ford Field, Detroit, MI.

Vegas Line: Chicago -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Chicago | MJD: Chicago

About the time for kickoff, many people will be salivating with their stomachs growling, as most of the food will be in the process of cooking, filling the houses with amazing smells.

Then you have this stinker of a game, featuring two horrible teams. The Bears, who may keep Matt Nagy around just long enough to give him Thanksgiving dinner as compensation for being fired, should be able to keep the Lions out of the win column.

 

Las Vegas (5-5) at Dallas (7-3)

Game Time: 4:30 PM at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.

Vegas Line: Dallas -6.5

The Pick: PSN: Dallas | MJD: Dallas

Dallas is a team that has more ups and downs than the Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood. I’m guessing the “good” version of Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will show up just as dinner is being served.

 

Buffalo (6-4) at New Orleans (5-5)

Game Time: 8:20 PM at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.

Vegas Line: Buffalo -4.5

The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: New Orleans

By now, you’ve probably eaten like 3-4 times, and it will be time for another helping of pumpkin pie or whatever else has survived the afternoon. Get the whip cream out just in time for the Bills to start pounding on the Saints.

 

Sunday, November 29th

Tampa Bay (6-3) at Indianapolis (6-5)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.

Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Indianapolis | MJD: Tampa Bay

Tampa has been another team that you never know is going to do on any given Sunday. The Colts have really looked good the past few weeks, and behind the resurgent Carson Wentz and the legs of Jonathan Taylor, I like Indy to spring the upset at home.

 

Pittsburgh (5-4-1) at Cincinnati (6-4)

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

Vegas Line: Cincinnati -4.5

The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh

The Steelers suck when favored, but when they’re the underdog against all odds? Well, bad news for the Bengals. That plus the fact that most of the Pittsburgh defense will be back this week, and they haven’t forgotten Tyler Boyd saying the Steelers quit the last time they met earlier this year.


Against All Odds Pick Results

MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 67-53   —   (.558)

PSN: Last Week: 1-9 | Overall: 62-58    -5   (.516)

 

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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