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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 (MPD), 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 2023-24 Against All Odds Champion?
Like the Steelers, both my dad and I have yet to find our footing when choosing games this year. Last week, for the third week in a row, I went 2-3, good enough to take a one game lead over my dad, who was 1-4.
For the year, I am at 6-9, with dad at 5-10.
Next week we will go full slate of games to choose at ten.
Week 4
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/21/2023
NCAA
Saturday, September 23rd
Texas Tech (1-2) at West Virginia (2-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM | Venue: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV.
Vegas Line: Texas Tech -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas Tech | MJD: Texas Tech
WVU won’t have the luck of facing an offensively inept team this week.
#24 Iowa (3-0) at #7 Penn State (3-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.
Vegas Line: Penn State -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Iowa | MJD: Iowa
Penn State has been the one team that has lead me to three wins on the year… they are playing pretty good, but Iowa always gives them a tough game, so handing the Hawkeyes 14.5 points will work for me.
#17 North Carolina (3-0) at Pitt (1-2)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: North Carolina -7.5
The Pick: MPD: UNC | MJD: UNC
Until Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi gets his head out of his arse, Pitt won’t find any success on offense, as Phil Jurkovec has had his chances in three games of futility. If Christian Veilleux doesn’t start or get into this game, it will be a massacre and a possible mutiny by the crowd at Acrisure Stadium. If Narduzzi thought the boos were loud against Cincinnati, he has a big surprise coming Saturday night.
NFL
Sunday, September 24
Tennessee (1-1) at Cleveland (1-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM | Venue: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH.
Vegas Line: Cleveland -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Tennessee | MJD: Cleveland
Cleveland and Deshaun Watson are in trouble without Nick Chubb. Watson has been inept and that spells trouble vs a Titans team that pounds the ball behind Derrick Henry. I like Tennessee to control the clock and take this game in a physical battle.
Pittsburgh (1-1) at Las Vegas (1-1)
Game Time: 8:20 PM | Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
Vegas Line: Las Vegas -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Mike Tomlin is just as stubborn not firing Matt Canada as Pat Narduzzi is continuing to start Phil Jurkovec at quarterback. Yes, the 49ers have a great defense, and the Browns aren’t too bad themselves, as evidenced by their demolition of the Bengals in week one. Now Kenny Pickett and Canada’s woeful offense face off against the Raiders, who have a below average defense, especially defending the pass.
If the Steelers can’t get their offensive game right vs this team…
Against All Odds Pick Results
MPD: Last Week: 2-3 | Overall: 6-9 —
MJD: Last Week: 1-4 | Overall: 5-10 -1
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2023-24 Champion:
2022-23 Champion: MPD
2021-22 Champion: MJD
2020-21 Champion: MJD
2019-20 Champion: MJD
2018-19 Champion: MJD
2017-18 Champion: MPD
2016-17 Champion: MJD
2015-16 Champion: MJD
2014-15 Champion: MPD
2013-14 Champion: MPD
(MJD leads series 6-4)
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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