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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 15
Just when you think you’re making progress with a 6-4 record, your dad adds two more games to his lead by going 8-2!
Dad is having a spectacular year once again, and has a six game lead with a 78-62 record on the year.
It’s going to take an miracle comeback for me to overtake his lead, but as Hans Gruber told Theo in Die Hard (which IS a Christmas movie), “It’s Christmas, Theo, it’s the time for miracles!”
May you and your families have a Merry Christmas! Catch you next week as we close out 2021.
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/23/2021
NCAA
Saturday, December 25th
Camillia Bowl
Georgia State (7-5) at Ball State (6-6)
Game Time: 2:30 PM at Camellia Bowl, Montgomery, AL.
Vegas Line: Georgia State -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Georgia State | MJD: Georgia State
Looks like a game that will come down to who doesn’t turn the ball over. I like Georgia State to make the cover.
Monday, December 27th
Quick Lane Bowl
Western Michigan (7-5) at Nevada (8-4)
Game Time: 11:00 AM at Ford Field, Detroit, MI.
Vegas Line: Western Michigan -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Western Michigan | MJD: Nevada
Might as well go with one of the two teams that tripped up Pitt this year. With Western Michigan playing a virtual home game, I like their chances.
Tuesday, December 28th
Birmingham Bowl
#20 Houston (11-2) at Auburn (6-6)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham, AL.
Vegas Line: Auburn -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Houston | MJD: Auburn
The Cougars with a big opportunity to solidify their season with a win over a traditional SEC power.
Holiday Bowl
UCLA (8-4) at #18 N.C. State (9-3)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Holiday Bowl, San Diego, CA.
Vegas Line: N.C. State -3.5
The Pick: PSN: N.C. State | MJD: UCLA
Another late edition thanks to BC and Eastern Carolina being cancelled… I’ll go with the ACC over the PAC-12 here.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
West Virginia (6-6) at Minnesota (8-4)
Game Time: 10:15 PM at Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Phoenix, AZ.
Vegas Line: Minnesota -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: WVU
Late addition to the line-up since Hawaii shafted Memphis…
NFL
Sunday, December 26th
Baltimore (8-6) at Cincinnati (8-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Paul Brown Field, Cincinnati, OH.
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Baltimore | MJD: Cincinnati
This game will have big ramifications for the AFC North. The Ravens have been struggling without Lamar Jackson, but this IS the Bungles we are talking about– they will find a way to blow this game to Baltimore.
LA Rams (10-4) at Minnesota (7-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: Minnesota
The Rams seem to be rolling now, and though the Vikings are tough at home, I like Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp to light up the Viking’s secondary.
Buffalo (8-6) at New England (9-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA.
Vegas Line: New England -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: New England
It’s the Game of the Week! Which Bills team will show up? This is their best shot at getting control of the division again, especially with the upcoming schedule for Buffalo. I say Josh Allen comes up big this week.
Jacksonville (2-12) at NY Jets (3-11)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Jacksonville -1.5
The Pick: PSN: NY Jets | MJD: Jacksonville
Two bottom feeder teams, but I like how the Jets hung with the Fish last week. This week they’ll get rewarded with a win.
Pittsburgh (7-6-1) at Kansas City (10-4)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -10.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Kansas City
The Chiefs may be without Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, who are on the COVID list. I’ll take my chances on Pittsburgh making the cover. Can somebody free Ben Roethlisberger from the hell Matt Canada has him in? Free Ben!!
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 8-2 | Overall: 78-62 — (.558)
PSN: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 72-68 -6 (.514)
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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