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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?
We’re down to just seven weeks left in the Against All Odds season and after sucking for just about all of it, I’ve been on an absolute tear the past month, going from 18 games below .500 to two games over, and somehow, I have managed to trim my dad’s once insurmountable lead to four games.
It’s week two of some of the most bland bowl games in recent memory, but that will change in week 18 when the real games begin, including the College Football playoffs.
Three weeks are left in the NFL regular season.
Wow does time fly.
15 games again, and we differ on six of them!
It’s the first of two Christmas weekends, with many celebrating on December 25th, so my dad and I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! Spend time with your friends and family, enjoy some great food and football, and we’ll catch you next time for New Year’s weekend!
Week 17
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/20/2023
NCAA
Thursday, December 21st
Boca Raton Bowl
South Florida (6-6) at Syracuse (6-6)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL.
Vegas Line: Syracuse -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Syracuse | MJD: South Florida
Syracuse is barely average, but I’m liking their chances going up vs the Bulls, who are giving up an astounding 34.9 points per contest.
Friday, December 22nd
Gasparilla Bowl
Georgia Tech (6-6) at UCF (6-6)
Game Time: 6:30 PM | Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
Vegas Line: UCF -4.5
The Pick: MPD: UCF | MJD: Georgia Tech
Expect a high scoring affair in this game, and I think the quality of teams that UCF has beaten will help them pull away from Yellow Jackets by the time the 4th quarter rolls around.
Saturday, December 23rd
Birmingham Bowl
Troy (11-2) at Duke (7-5)
Game Time: 12:00 PM | Venue: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL.
Vegas Line: Troy -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Duke | MJD: Duke
Duke may be missing their top QB in Riley Leonard, but they always play tough on defense, giving up just 19.7 points per game. Troy plays fast and puts up points, but they aren’t going to take down an ACC team by more than a touchdown.
Camellia Bowl
Arkansas State (6-6) at Northern Illinois (6-6)
Game Time: 12:00 PM | Venue: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL.
Vegas Line: Arkansas State -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Northern Illinois | MJD: Arkansas State
Northern Illinois is always a tough out in these games, and I think they have played better down the stretch than Arkansas State, who allows 31.1 points per game defensively.
Idaho Potato Bowl
Georgia State (6-6) at Utah State (6-6)
Game Time: 3:30 PM | Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID.
Vegas Line: Utah State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Utah State | MJD: Utah State
Utah State scores 34.1 points per game and with Georgia state giving up over 30 a game, I’m seeing a high scoring affair in this one, with the Aggies pulling away late.
Armed Forces Bowl
James Madison (11-1) at Air Force (8-4)
Game Time: 3:30 PM | Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX.
Vegas Line: James Madison -1.5
The Pick: MPD: James Madison | MJD: Air Force
James Madison scores 35.2 points per game and gives up just 18.5, but can they do that vs a step up in competition? Pride will carry the Dukes to a win over the Air Force. who I think want this game more than the Falcons.
Las Vegas Bowl
Utah (8-4) at Northwestern (7-5)
Game Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
Vegas Line: Utah -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Utah | MJD: Utah
Good match-up between two power five teams, who look evenly matched, but I think Utah faced tougher competition and will find a way to win this by a touchdown.
Hawaii Bowl
Coastal Carolina (7-5) at San Jose State (7-5)
Game Time: 10:30 PM | Venue: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI.
Vegas Line: San Jose State -9.5
The Pick: MPD: San Jose State | MJD: San Jose State
NFL
Thursday, December 22nd
New Orleans (7-7) at LA Rams (7-7)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
Saturday, December 23rd
Cincinnati (8-6) at Pittsburgh (7-7)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
I have zero confidence in the Steelers, as this team has basically quit on Mike Tomlin. Unbelievably, Pittsburgh still has life to make the playoffs, and a win at home vs the Bengals who are missing Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase, would give the Steelers hope with two games to play, and possibly QB Kenny Pickett returning for the Seattle and Baltimore games.
Buffalo (8-6) at LA Chargers (5-9)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -11.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
The Chargers are coming off an epic beating at the hands of the Raiders who dropped 63 on them. God help them with Josh Allen and the resurgent Bills coming to town.
Sunday, December 24th
Indianapolis (8-6) at Atlanta (6-8)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Atlanta -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Indianapolis | MJD: Atlanta
The Colts get Jonathan Taylor back and that should help propel them to another win, especially vs the Falcons, who somehow managed to lose to the one win Carolina Panthers last week.
Detroit (10-4) at Minnesota (7-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
The Lions looked as if they were on the verge of a collapse, then Jared Goff turned into Jim Kelly last week and they rolled over the Broncos 42-17. Minnesota is just missing too many key players to keep up in this one.
Cleveland (9-5) at Houston (8-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cleveland -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Houston
The Browns escaped with their lives vs the Bears last week, and the Texans did the same against the Titans missing two of their top receivers and starting QB C.J. Stroud. I think Joe Flacco’s luck runs out this week and Houston pull the upset, if it really is one.
Dallas (10-4) at Miami (10-4)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Dallas | MJD: Miami
The Cowboys have been awful on the road, and this is one of their last chances to prove they have the balls to win big games when not in the comfy confines of Texas… Miami plays fast, but I think they are soft physically. Dallas pulls this one out.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 8-7 | Overall: 80-70 — (.533)
MPD: Last Week: 10-5 | Overall: 76-74 -4 (.507)
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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