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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?
Thanksgiving Weekend was filled with great food and even better people, but when it came to the odds, it was my dad who had the whipped cream on top of the pumpkin pie as he went 7-3 to my 5-5, thus as we enter week 14, we are all knotted up at 64-56.
It’s the final week of college football, with the exception of Army-Navy next week, and the playoff races are heating up in the NFL.
Should be one helluva week in football, and hopefully a winning one for yours truly…
Week 14
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/1/2022
NCAA
Friday, December 2nd
PAC-12 Championship Game
#11 Utah (9-3) at #4 USC (11-1)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
Vegas Line: USC -2.5
The Pick: PSN: USC | MJD: USC
USC has the best team money can buy in college football, and the Trojans need just one more win to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Both teams have high powered offenses, but in this rematch, USC will do just enough to slip past the Utes as they did earlier this season 43-42.
Saturday, December 3rd
Big 12 Championship Game
#10 Kansas State (9-3) at #3 TCU (12-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: TCU -2.5
The Pick: PSN: TCU | MJD: Kansas State
The Horned Frogs have one more test before they get a berth in the College Football Playoff. TCU was victorious in their first meeting 38-28. Kansas State will give their all and take this as far as they can, but TCU will take care of business and cover.
SEC Championship Game
#14 LSU (9-3) at #1 Georgia (12-0)
Game Time: 4:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Georgia -17.5
The Pick: PSN: Georgia | MJD: LSU
The Bulldogs are rolling along, and LSU is just another victim in Georgia’s quest for back to back titles.
ACC Championship Game
#9 Clemson (10-2) at #23 UNC (9-3)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.
Vegas Line: Clemson -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Clemson | MJD: UNC
Neither team is playing at their best, so this one could be close until the 4th quarter, where I believe Clemson will pull away and keep the Tar Heels from their 10th victory.
Big Ten Championship Game
#2 Michigan (12-0) at Purdue (8-4)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Michigan -16.5
The Pick: PSN: Michigan | MJD: Purdue
For a half, it was a great game, but In the 2nd half vs Ohio State, the Wolverines just buried the Buckeyes. As long as Michigan doesn’t fall asleep and commit idiotic turnovers, Big Blue should roll to an easy win and start prepping for the playoffs.
NFL
Sunday, December 4th
Pittsburgh (4-7) at Atlanta (5-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Atlanta -1.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers defense looked pretty good last week, as did the offense for most of the game. Though the Steelers may be without Najee Harris, Jaylon Warren is back healthy and the suddenly staunch running game employed by Pittsburgh should give some space for Kenny Pickett to have a career day throwing the ball.
Washington (7-5) at NY Giants (7-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Washington -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Washington | MJD: NY Giants
The Commanders are looking better as the season goes on, and the Giants have begun to falter at the worst of times. Washington takes care of New York and solidifies their Wild Card position.
Cleveland (4-7) at Houston (1-9-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.
Vegas Line: Cleveland -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Cleveland | MJD: Cleveland
DeShaun Watson returns for the Browns, but it will be Nick Chubb leading the way for Cleveland over the pathetic Texans.
Kansas City (9-2) at Cincinnati (7-4)
Game Time: 4:24 PM at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
This will be a huge rematch, and unfortunately for the Chiefs, they are running into the Bengals at the wrong time, who may get star receiver Ja’Marr Chase back.
LA Chargers (6-5) at Las Vegas (4-7)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
Vegas Line: Las Vegas -1.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
Not the best of games to watch, but in the desert, expect Justin Herbert to have a big game at the expense of the Raiders.
Against All Odds Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 64-56 .533 —
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 64-56 .533 —
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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