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?

Like the Pitt Panthers, I had the rug pulled out from under me in just about every game on the docket. All dad had to do was pick against me and bury me with another 7-3 record to my 3-7 spot, thus giving him a five game advantage over me eight weeks into the Against All Odds season.

Over the past two weeks, he is now 14-6.

Back at it again this week and will try to get back on track with ten great games this weekend.

Week 9

Against All Odds Lines as of 10/27/2023

NCAA

Saturday, October 8th

West Virginia (4-3) at UCF (3-4)

Game Time: 12:00 PM

Vegas Line: UCF -7.5

The Pick: MPD: West Virginia | MJD: UCF

WVU travels to Florida and tries to overcome a brutal last second loss suffered the week before. The Mountaineers may not win, but they should cover.

Indiana (2-5) at #10 Penn State (6-1)

Game Time: 12:00 PM

Vegas Line: Penn State -32.5

The Pick: MPD: Indiana | MJD: Penn State

After going toe to toe with a real team and losing, the Nittany Lions go against one of the dregs of the Big Ten in Indiana. Not sure they can make this cover this time.

Pitt (2-5) at #14 Notre Dame (6-2)

Game Time: 3:30 PM

Vegas Line: Notre Dame -20.5

The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt

Pitt had a heartbreaking last second loss to Wake Forest, a game they actually had won, before one of the most ridiculous calls in the history of football took it away. Notre Dame beat USC 48-20, however, almost all of those points came at the hands of Trojan turnovers in their own territory. Pat Narduzzi teams always thrive in these situations. Pitt may not win, but they’re not losing by 20 plus.

#1 Georgia (7-0) at Florida (5-2)

Game Time: 3:30 PM

Vegas Line: Georgia -14.5

The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Florida

The Bulldogs are on a roll and will keep it that way when they finish up with the Gators in Gainesville.

#20 Duke (5-1) at #18 Louisville (6-1)

Game Time: 3:30 PM |

Vegas Line: Louisville -4.5

The Pick: MPD: Duke | MJD: Louisville

Duke actually had the cover before some brutal calls by the officials in their loss to Florida State. The Blue Devils travel to Louisville and keep this within a field goal.

NFL

Sunday, October 29th

Jacksonville (5-2) at Pittsburgh (4-2)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Jacksonville -2.5

The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh

Mike Tomlin as an underdog at home? Good luck with that Jacksonville. The Jags are vulnerable through the air, so passing the ball is key here, as is playing an entire four quarters instead of waiting till the 4th quarter to find a way to win.

New England (2-5) at Miami (5-2)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Miami -9.5

The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami

New England surprised Buffalo last week, but their fortunes run out vs the high powered Miami offense.

NY Jets (3-3) at NY Giants (2-5)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: NY Jets -3.5

The Pick: MPD: NY Jets | MJD: NY Jets

Jets defense will rise to the occasion and lead New York to victory.

Philadelphia (6-1) at Washington (3-4)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Philadelphia -7.5

The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD: Washington

Washington is one of those teams you never know what to expect from. Philadelphia smashed Miami last week. The Eagles by ten or more.

Cleveland (4-2) at Seattle (4-2)

Game Time: 4:05 PM

Vegas Line: Seattle -3.5

The Pick: MPD: Seattle | MJD: Seattle

Cleveland continues to have problems at the quarterback spot, an issue they’ve had sine I was in high school. I graduated in 1994. Good God. Seattle gets the win at home.

Against All Odds Pick Results

MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 32-28 —

MPD: Last Week: 3-7 | Overall: 27-33 -5

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!