Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks

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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?

The Drakulich’s finally broke through for a big week together, with my dad besting me at 7-3 to my 6-4.

With that very solid week, dad is back to .500 on the year, leading me by one game with a record of 25-25.

Ten games this week, with us disagreeing on four of them.

Let’s get to this week’s slate!

Week 8

Against All Odds Lines as of 10/19/2023

NCAA

Saturday, October 21st

#7 Penn State (6-0) at #3 Ohio State (6-0)

Game Time: 12:00 PM

Vegas Line: Ohio State -4.5

The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State

Cupcake time is over for Penn State, and now we’ll see how well James Franklin can run up the score vs thee Ohio State in Columbus. To all the classy Nitttany Lions fans who spent the weekend trolling my timeline after a comment I made during the Pitt game about Franklin refusing to mention OSU after pounding on UMass, you better pray to every God you know that you finally win a big game when it counts. Can’t wait for Noon on Saturday.

Oklahoma State (4-2) at West Virginia (4-2)

Game Time: 3:30 PM

Vegas Line: West Virginia -3.5

The Pick: MPD: West Virginia | MJD: Oklahoma State

WVU suffered a loss on a last second Hail Mary last week. I think they’ll bounce back and defend their home turf vs the Cowboys.

Pitt (2-4) at Wake Forest (3-3)

Game Time: 3:30 PM

Vegas Line: Wake Forest -1.5

The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt

Pitt finally put a real quarterback under center with Christian Veilleux, and came away with a 38-21 clobbering over then #14 Louisville. The defense pitched a shutout in the 2nd half, and I like that trend to continue vs a wounded Wake Forest team that’s given up 29 total sacks this year.

#2 Michigan (7-0) at Michigan State (2-4)

Game Time: 7:30 PM

Vegas Line: Michigan -24.5

The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan

Michigan’s defense will keep the Spartan offense quiet while the offense carves up their instate rivals.

#16 Duke (5-1) at #4 Florida State (6-0)

Game Time: 7:30 PM |

Vegas Line: FSU -14.5

The Pick: MPD: Duke | MJD: Florida State

Florida State will win this game, but I have a feeling that Duke will keep this closer than the Seminoles will like.

NFL

Sunday, October 22nd

Las Vegas (3-2) at Chicago (1-5)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Las Vegas -2.5

The Pick: MPD: Las Vegas | MJD: Chicago

The Bears will likely be without QB Justin Fields, and that spells a long day in store for Chicago’s already inept offense.

Cleveland (3-2) at Indianapolis (3-3)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Cleveland -2.5

The Pick: MPD: Cleveland | MJD: Cleveland

Cleveland’s stellar defense will once again lead them to another victory.

Buffalo (4-2) at New England (1-5)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Buffalo -8.5

The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo

If there was ever a chance to get Buffalo’s offense playing up to it’s capabilities, it’s this one against a terrible Patriot’s team. Bills should crush New England in this one.

Detroit (5-1) at Baltimore (4-2)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Baltimore -3.5

The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Baltimore

This isn’t your typical Lions team. This one has bite, and Detroit will travel to Baltimore and shock the Ravens on the road.

Pittsburgh (3-2) at LA Rams (3-3)

Game Time: 4:05 PM

Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5

The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh

The Steelers offense gets some much needed help with Diontae Johnson returning to the lineup. Say what you want about Mike Tomlin, me included, but his team’s flourish coming out of bye weeks. Pittsburgh and Kenny Pickett travel to the West Coast and find a way to get their 4th win of the season.

Against All Odds Pick Results

MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 25-25 —

MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 24-26 -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)

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!

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com

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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!