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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 Pittsburgh Steelers offense had a coming out party, and so did I with my picks last week.
Damn that Matt Canada! See what happens when he is finally given his pink slip?
We went with 15 games last week with all of the rivalry games, and for once, I finally had a positive week, going 11-4, to dad’s 9-6.
For the year, I’m still in the hole at 53-62, compared to dad who is stellar at 64-51, good for an 11 game.
I doubt I catch him in the standings, but let’s see if I can finish above .500 and have something to gloat about.
Ten games, with Championship Game weekend all set, as the NCAA regular season almost comes to an end, with Army-Navy being the finale next weekend. Then we really ramp it up in a few weeks with Bowl season.
Week 14
Against All Odds Lines as of 11/29/2023
NCAA
Friday, December 1st
PAC-12 Championship
#5 Oregon (11-1) at #3 Washington (12-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
Vegas Line: Oregon -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
Oregon is good, but not 9.5 points favorites good. Washington defeated the Ducks 36-33 earlier this year, and though it may be revenge time for the Ducks, there is no way they are going to win this game by double digits.
Saturday, December 2nd
Big 12 Championship
#18 Oklahoma State (9-3) at #7 Texas (11-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM | Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Texas -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas | MJD: Oklahoma State
The Longhorns will have to put on a show if they think they have any shot of slipping into the College Football Playoffs. They’ll give it a good run in this game.
SEC Championship
#8 Alabama (11-1) at #1 Georgia (12-0)
Game Time: 4:00 PM | Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Georgia -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Alabama
Georgia looks to cement their spot in the CFP and prepare for a 3rd straight National Title. Alabama will give them a game, but in the end, the Dawgs will reign supreme.
ACC Championship
#14 Louisville (10-2) at #4 Florida State (12-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Bank of America Stadium, NC
Vegas Line: Florida State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Florida State | MJD: Florida State
Florida State has just Louisville standing in their way of a berth in the CFP. Louisville was trying to throw their hat into the ring until their rivals in Kentucky took them down last week. The Seminoles will find a way to come out on top as they have so many times this year.
Big Ten Championship
#16 Iowa (10-2) at #2 Michigan (12-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Michigan -22.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
Iowa can’t score, and that isn’t a good thing going up against the powerful Wolverines defense. Michigan in a rout.
NFL
Sunday, December 3rd
Arizona (2-10) at Pittsburgh (7-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Expect the Steelers and Najee Harris, with Jaylen Warren, to bully the makeshift Arizona defense with a run game that is getting better by the week. What a surprise that with Matt Canada gone this team gained over 400 yards for the first time in over 50 games! Now Kenny Pickett will look to build off that effort and maybe find a few receivers in the endzone this week.
Miami (8-3) at Washington (4-8)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami
Miami’s offense will be too much for a Washington team to compete with.
Carolina (1-10) at Tampa Bay (4-7)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Tampa Bay | MJD: Tampa Bay
Tampa isn’t that good, but they’ll put up some offensive numbers against a Carolina team that has packed it in for 2023.
Cleveland (7-4) at LA Rams (5-6)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
The Rams rolled Arizona last week, and now face a stiffer challenge with the stout Cleveland defense.
San Francisco (8-3) at Philadelphia (10-1)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: San Francisco -2.5
The Pick: MPD: San Francisco | MJD: Philadelphia
The Game of the Week in the NFL and a possible preview of the NFC Championship Game. Philadelphia may have the league’s best record, but the 49ers are the league’s best team right now.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 9-6 | Overall: 64-51 — (.556)
MPD: Last Week: 11-4 | Overall: 53-62 -11 (.461)
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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