Against All Odds

Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks

0 0
Read Time:5 Minute, 51 Second

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. Pepsi vs Coke. 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 2022-23 Against All Odds Champion?


When we last fired up Against All Odds in February, my dad had already sewn up his 4th consecutive picks championship. Through nine years, dad has racked up six titles to my paltry three. Basically he’s become the Tom Brady of picking games against the Vegas line… well, at least picking them against me.

So we begin a new season with five games to kick off the battle between father and son.

Like West Virginia on Thursday night, he’s going down this year, as I refuse to not be crowned champion come Super Bowl LVII, and I also welcome all to take us on via comments, so put your money where your mouth is, and bring it on. That goes for any cousins or their dogs reading this article weekly for their amusement.

Week 1

Against All Odds Lines as of 8/30/2022

NCAA 

Thursday, September 1st

The Backyard Brawl

West Virginia (0-0) at #17 Pitt (0-0)

Game Time: 7:00 PM at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.

Vegas Line: Pitt -7.5

The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt

It’s been 11 years since the last Backyard Brawl, which is a crime within itself. This is a game that should be played every year.

That said, the Mountaineers are going to wish they waited a 12th year before venturing onto the gridiron vs their bitter rivals in Pitt, the reigning ACC Champions from 2021. Despite the loss of QB Kenny Pickett and WR Jordan Addison, the Panthers may actually be better than they were last year.

Pitt has a ferocious front seven, and the defense has been at the top of the leader board yearly in sacks.

Quarterback J.T. Daniels, a transfer from Georgia, makes his WVU debut, as does Kedon Slovis for Pitt, who transferred via USC.

Slovis has a bevy of weapons at his disposal, and if anyone is thinking the hiring of Frank Cignetti as Pitt’s offensive coordinator means the Panthers intend to abandon the pass, you’re dead wrong. Pitt will come out firing, but will also utilize a balanced rushing attack, especially with leads in the second half of games.

WVU fans, if you thought 13-9 sucked, you’re in for a horror show this Thursday night. So suck down a few glasses of moonshine and try to make the best of a trip to the big city. We all know there will be less teeth combined in section 102 than found on a piano, but hey, maybe on the way home on 79 you’ll find some dinner waiting alongside the road.

Pitt rolls…

Penn State (0-0) at Purdue (0-0)

Game Time: 8:00 PM at Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN.

Vegas Line: Penn State -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Penn State | MJD: Purdue

It took awhile to find this game, as I initially looked for games playing via the Top 25… When I did realize Penn State was playing, I thought hard about going with Purdue here, which would have lead to all kinds of comments that I was biased against the Nittany Lions, but in the end, my gut told me there was no way such an “underrated” Penn State squad, with so much support from their fans in Happy Valley, even on the road on the tv for their turnstile champion fans, could possibly lose the season opener to the freaking Boilermakers, right?

Right?

Dad certainly thinks so, and that could spell doom for those dressed in all white Thursday evening.

 

Saturday, September 3rd

#11 Oregon (0-0) at #3 Georgia (0-0)

Game Time: 3:30 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.

Vegas Line: Georgia -17.5

The Pick: PSN: Oregon | MJD: Georgia

The Dawgs will be at “home” for their opener, but 17.5 points is a mammoth spread to hand out to the Ducks of Oregon. Hopefully Elmer Fudd won’t show up on the sidelines in Georgia gear.

 

#7 Utah (0-0) at Florida (0-0)

Game Time: 7:00 PM at Florida Stadium, Gainesville, FL.

Vegas Line:  Utah -3.5

The Pick: PSN: Florida | MJD: Utah

Utah may be #7 in the nation, and yes, Florida is unranked, but I’m almost dead sure if the Utes do win this game, it will be by three or less. Would not be surprised to see an “upset” by the Gators playing in Gainesville.

 

#5 Notre Dame (0-0) at #2 Ohio State (0-0)

Game Time: 7:30 PM at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH.

Vegas Line: Ohio State -17.5

The Pick: PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame

The best game on Saturday will feature two teams in the Top 5, a great match-up that will show if Notre Dame is a contender or pretender.

The Buckeyes will no doubt win this game, but I can’t envision this being a blowout by over 17 points.

The Irish cover…

 


Against All Odds Pick Results

MJD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0   —

PSN: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0    —

 

Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History

2021 Champion: MJD

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 6-3)

Avatar

About Post Author

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!
Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %

Author Profile

Avatar
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!

Average Rating

5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *