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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. 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?
It’s a damn shame when going .500 is an improvement over the previous weeks of misery, but I guess you have to take what you can get. This football season has been absolutely insane when trying to predict just what is going to happen. A few weeks ago, every underdog in the Top 25, but one, made the cover in their games.
For the year both my dad and I are tied with a paltry 16-24 record.
We are the Chase Claypool of picking against the odds right now.
Week 6
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/6/2022
NCAA
Saturday, October 8th
#17 TCU (4-0) at #19 Kansas (5-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS.
Vegas Line: TCU -5.5
The Pick: PSN: TCU | MJD: Kansas
If Kansas can win this one, then I’ll become a believer. TCU is fresh off of handing Oklahoma a beating, so I’ll go with the Horned Frogs to stay hot and take care of the Jayhawks.
#8 Tennessee (4-0) at #25 LSU (4-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: LSU
LSU is a pretender, and the only reason they are ranked is because the sports media never fails to suck up to the SEC. Tennessee will take care of business on the road.
#11 Utah (4-1) at #18 UCLA (5-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.
Vegas Line: Utah -3.5
The Pick: PSN: UCLA | MJD: Utah
UCLA looked pretty good vs the Huskies, and even though their home field advantage isn’t that great, the Bruins should be able to hold off the Utes in this one.
Virginia Tech (2-3) at Pitt (3-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pitt -14.5
The Pick: PSN: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Last week was the utmost edition of “What the hell is going on here?”… The Panthers totally bombed vs lowly Georgia Tech, playing as if they had just woke up fifteen minutes before the game. It was an embarrassment. Too much talent on this team, and if they have any balls in that locker-room, they will rise to the occasion vs a VaTech team they have pretty much owned of late.
Texas A&M (3-2) at #1 Alabama (5-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Bryant-Dennis Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Vegas Line: Alabama -24.5
The Pick: PSN: Alabama | MJD: Texas A&M
I picked against Bama last week and they burned me… so it’s Roll Tide this week as I expect the boys from Alabama to bury an average Texas A&M team.
NFL
Sunday, October 9th
Pittsburgh (1-3) at Buffalo (3-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -14.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Kenny Pickett Era has begun, and that has to mean more offense for the Steelers. The Steelers are banged up without T.J. Watt and have some injury issues in the secondary, but the Bills are a med unit as well, with no one but Stephon Diggs at wideout fully healthy. The Steelers are the last team since the NFL-AFL Merger to be underdogs by more than 14 points, and it may be the last time, as Pittsburgh will find a way under Pickett to keep this interesting before eventually falling short to the Bills.
LA Chargers (2-2) at Cleveland (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH.
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -2.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
It’s early in the NFL season, but this game could have major implications in the Wild Card race later on. I like the Chargers to win this one by the skin of their teeth and escape Cleveland with a field goal win.
Chicago (2-2) at Minnesota (3-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Vegas Line: Minnesota -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
The Bears may have the only offense that sucked worse than the Steelers under Mitch Trubisky. I like the Vikings to roll here.
Miami (3-1) at NY Jets (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLIfe Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Miami -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Miami | MJD: Miami
The Jets have lucked out vs Pittsburgh and Cleveland, but the party is over when Miami comes to town, with or without Tua.
Cincinnati (2-2) at Baltimore (2-2)
Game Time: 8:20 PM at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.
Vegas Line: Baltimore -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
The Bengals have righted their ship and the Ravens secondary is garbage.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 16-24 .400 —
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 16-24 .400 —
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)
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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