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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 16
A quick review of last week… Pick a game–CANCELLED! Pick another game to replace–CANCELLED! Third try–CANCELLED! Remember just two weeks to flatten the curve?
Yea, right. Tired of it all.
Thus, we only had nine games counted last week, instead of ten. Amazingly, I managed to go 7-2 in those games, and my dad faltered at 3-6… that allowed me to shave four games off of his six game lead.
So, with just a few weeks left, dad leads the year at 81-68, with me just trailing by two at 79-70.
Since we only got nine games last week, we’re putting forth 11, which means we should get about seven games counted before everyone hides in their basement.
Happy New Year and good riddance to 2021.
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/29/2021
NCAA
Thursday, December 30th
Peach Bowl
#12 Pitt (11-2) at #10 Michigan State (10-2)
Game Time: 7:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Michigan State -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt may be missing Kenny Pickett, but Michigan State is minus top RB Kenneth Walker III and their secondary still sucks. Nick Patti, who will start in place of Pickett, still has Jordan Addison and Lucas Krull to throw to. The Panthers will end the season tying a school record with their 12th win, and set the tone for what could be a historic 2022 season.
Friday, December 31st
Cotton Bowl
#4 Cincinnati (13-0) at #1 Alabama (12-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Cotton Bowl, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Alabama -13.5
The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Alabama
Alabama may win this game, but the Bearcats are going to give the Tide every ounce of fight they have. Would love to see an upset, but will settle foe the cover instead.
Orange Bowl
#3 Georgia (12-1) at #2 Michigan (12-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM at Ford Field, Detroit, MI.
Vegas Line: Georgia -8.5
The Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
You never know what you might get out of Michigan, and as for Georgia… well, they were rolling along until Bama spanked them in the SEC Championship. Tell you what, not only is Big Blue going to cover this spread, they’re also going to send the Dawg’s to consecutive losses after starting off 12-0. Get ready for Michigan vs Alabama for all the bones.
Saturday, January 1st
Outback Bowl
Penn State (7-5) at #21 Arkansas (8-4)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL.
Vegas Line: Penn State -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Arkansas | MJD: Arkansas
Penn State will be minus a few key players, and James Franklin always seems to choke in the spotlight. Razorbacks take care of business.
Fiesta Bowl
#9 Oklahoma State (11-2) at #5 Notre Dame (11-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ.
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: Oklahoma State
Should be a great game, but I think the Irish have the edge in this one. Don’t be surprised if this comes down to the final seconds before Notre Dame clinches the victory.
Rose Bowl
#11 Utah (10-3) at #6 Ohio State (10-2)
Game Time: 5:00 PM at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -4.5
The Pick: PSN: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State
Ohio State will also be missing some key players, but in terms of talent, there is no doubt the Buckeyes are the better team. O-H…I-O by more than ten.
NFL
Sunday, January 2nd
Atlanta (7-8) at Buffalo (9-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -14.5
The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
The season is winding down and Josh Allen and the Bills are heating up. Buffalo lays a beating on Atlanta at home.
Kansas City (11-4) at Cincinnati (9-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Cincinnati
The Bengals can show the world they are ready for prime time with a win… or will have to fight for their playoff lives next week against Cleveland with a loss. What will it be… Bengals or Bungles?
Jacksonville (2-13) at New England (9-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA.
Vegas Line: New England -14.5
The Pick: PSN: New England | MJD: New England
Jacksonville is awful, and with the Patriots coming off a tough loss to Buffalo, the Patriots will be looking to punish.
LA Rams (11-4) at Baltimore (8-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.
Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
Lamar Jackson may be back, but it won’t make a difference. The Rams are rolling, and they will ensure the Ravens continue reeling.
Monday, January 3rd
Cleveland (7-8) at Pittsburgh (7-7-1)
Game Time: 8:15 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Cleveland -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Cleveland
The Steelers are in turmoil. Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada is a joke and has killed this offense. No one can run or pass block. Ben Roethlisberger usually has about two seconds to throw the ball, and when he does have time, his receivers aren’t open, or the passes are low percentage combat catch throws.
The defense is laughable against the run, something Cleveland, behind Nick Chubb, are good at– if they choose to run the ball. Baker Mayfield is still a turnover machine. Basically, both teams suck.
That said, there is NO WAY, in what will be Ben Roethlisberger’s last home game, under the lights, that the Steelers will lose this game, especially to the Browns. Just hand #7 the damn keys to the offense and tell Canada to take the night off.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 3-6 | Overall: 81-68 — (.543)
PSN: Last Week: 7-2 | Overall: 79-70 -2 (.530)
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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