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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 minded 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 2024-25 Against All Odds Champion?
The long hot days of Summer are coming to an end, and that means no more weekends spent at the ocean or pool, but at football stadiums filled with fans, all hungry for high school, college, and NFL action that has been absent since early February.
Year 12 begins another fun season of Against All Odds, where I take on my dad, who leads the series 6-4-1, in choosing NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas odds.
The opening week brings us ten match-ups in college, with the NFL just one week away from beginning their season the following Thursday night.
So, welcome back, enjoy the articles, and have a great weekend… football is back, baby!
Week 1
Against All Odds Lines as of 8/28/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, August 31st
Kent State (0-0) at Pitt (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -23.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
New Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s offense should be able to overwhelm a Kent State team that was 1-11 last year. The Panthers will also be looking to get out to a fast start after last year’s disastrous 3-9 campaign.
#8 Penn State (0-0) at West Virginia (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -10.5
The Pick: MPD: West Virginia | MJD: West Virginia
Two teams that I absolutely despise, but at least WVU has the balls to play Pitt, unlike Penn State who makes up more excuses than Kamala Harris. Hopefully by Saturday afternoon many a couch will be on fire at the expense of the Nittany Lions.
#14 Clemson (0-0) at #1 Georgia (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Georgia -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Georgia
Clemson has a much improved team over last season, but Georgia is at home and looking to make a statement towards getting back to the National Championship Game.
South Dakota State (0-0) at #17 Oklahoma State (0-0)
Game Time: 2:00 PM
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Oklahoma State | MJD: Oklahoma State
Don’t discount the Jackrabbits who are back-to-back FCS Champions… Oklahoma State will win, but they will get a test before pulling away.
#19 Miami (0-0) at Florida (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami
Two rivals meet early, and Miami will get a chance to prove it’s worthy of being ranked, especially with a win on the road in hostile territory.
Western Kentucky (0-0) at #5 Alabama (0-0)
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Vegas Line: Alabama -30.5
The Pick: MPD: Alabama | MJD: Alabama
Roll Tide will be a rollin’ in this one…
Fresno State (0-0) at #9 Michigan (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -21.5
The Pick: MPD: Fresno State | MJD: Michigan
Michigan is coming off a National Championship, but lost Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, and a bevy of great talent. The Wolverines will take care of business in The Big House, but I don’t see them making this cover.
#7 Notre Dame (0-0) at #20 Texas A&M (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Texas A&M -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas A&M | MJD: Texas A&M
The Aggies gets to show Notre Dame as a fraud in the very first game of the year.
Sunday, August 31st
#13 LSU (0-0) at #23 USC (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
Vegas Line: LSU -4.5
The Pick: MPD: LSU | MJD: LSU
LSU and USC meet up in Vegas where the Tigers will bounce the Trojans in epic fashion.
Monday, September 1st
Boston College (0-0) at #10 Florida State (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Florida State -17.5
The Pick: MPD: Boston College | MJD: Florida State
The Seminoles limp home after being shocked by Georgia Tech in Ireland. Boston College will stay close enough to cover.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0 —
MPD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0 —
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2024-25 Champion:
2023-24 Champion: MPD & MJD
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 6-4-1)
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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