0
0
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?
It was a bounce back week for me, finally finding a way to go over .500 for the first time all year at 6-4, which bested my dad by one game.
For the year, we both still have some work to do, sharing a 18-22 record after six weeks.
Tens games this week, with the Steelers on a bye and West Virginia playing too early in the week to publish.
Week 7
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/12/2023
NCAA
Saturday, October 14th
UMass (1-6) at #6 Penn State (5-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -41.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
Penn State against another cream puff. James Franklin will no doubt run the score up again.
#8 Oregon (5-0) at #7 Washington (5-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Washington -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Oregon
Game of the Week, and in this game between two high scoring teams, I like Washington at home.
Texas A&M (4-2) at #19 Tennessee (4-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Tennessee -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
Another good game on tap, and I’m not going against the Vols at home.
#14 Louisville (6-0) at Pitt (1-4)
Game Time: 6:30 PM
Vegas Line: Louisville -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Christian Veilleux is starting and has two weeks to prepare. I like Pitt to cover and scare the daylights out of the undefeated Cardinals.
#25 Miami (4-1) at #12 North Carolina (5-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM |
Vegas Line: UNC -3.5
The Pick: MPD: North Carolina | MJD: North Carolina
UNC continues to roll to the ACC Championship Game.
NFL
Sunday, October 16th
Baltimore (3-2) vs Tennessee (2-3)
Game Time: 9:30 PM | Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, GBR
Vegas Line: Baltimore -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Baltimore | MJD: Tennessee
This one is in London, but I like Baltimore to bounce back vs the Titans and go enjoy a few English Ales afterwards.
Washington (2-3) at Atlanta (3-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Atlanta -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Atlanta | MJD: Atlanta
Atlanta and Desmond Ridder should be able to cover against a weak DC defense.
Minnesota (1-4) at Chicago (1-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Minnesota -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Chicago | MJD: Chicago
Bears and Justin Fields looked pretty god last week, and I like that trend to continue vs the Vikings who will be without star Justin Jefferson.
Seattle (3-1) at Cincinnati (2-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
This one worries me, but Joe Burrow does look better and it’s tough for the Seahawks to make the across country trip into the Jungle.
San Francisco (5-0) at Cleveland (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: San Francisco -9.5
The Pick: MPD: San Francisco | MJD: Cleveland
The Browns are in disarray and the 49ers are just too good.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 18-22 —
MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 18-22 —
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!
-
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!
Latest entries
FeaturesMarch 18, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 12, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 3, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesFebruary 25, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports