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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?
One week in and it was a pretty good start for me, going 7-3 for the opening stanza, besting my dad by two games who went 5-5.
Now Week 2 has arrived, and that means we have NFL action returning to the docket.
We start off with an early edition, as the NFL Season Opener features the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens.
Regarding last week, I’m not too pleased with the hoopies down there in Morgantown, as I had to endure the pain of pulling for those raccoon chasing fools to take down the cultists from Happy Valley, and then they go out and get curb stomped at home.
Maybe this week they can muster up the energy to beat lowly Albany.
Enjoy the game while you can, for next week, a whoopin awaits up in Pittsburgh.
Week 2 (Final Edition)
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/4/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, September 7th
Pitt (1-0) at Cincinnati (1-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt and redshirt freshman Eli Holstein hit the road to face a Bearcats team that defeated Towson 38-20 last week. The Bearcats defense also gave up over 400 yards to that Towson team. The Panther offense will roll again and enact some payback for last season’s loss to Cinci.
Bowling Green (1-0) at #8 Penn State (1-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -34.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD: Bowling Green
Penn State and James Franklin will waste no time running up the score in this one.
#4 Texas (1-0) at #9 Michigan (1-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Texas -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
So you’re telling me Texas is going to roll into the Big House and be favored by 7.5, lol?
I don’t think so, Joel.
#15 Tennessee (1-0) at #24 North Carolina State (1-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Tennessee -7.5
The Pick: MPD: North Carolina State | MJD: Tennessee
Two teams looking to establish themselves as contenders here. I think the Wolfpack won’t only cover, but win this game outright.
Albany (1-0) at West Virginia (0-1)
Game Time: 6:00 PM
Vegas Line: WVU -24.5
The Pick: MPD: WVU | MJD: Albany
The Hoopies try to bounce back and please the home crowd after being clubbed last week by Penn State. Maybe they can take down the Greg Gattuso coached Great Danes.
NFL
Thursday, September 5th
Baltimore (0-0) at Kansas City (0-0)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs set off the 2024 season with the goal of being the first team in NFL history to three-peat. The opening act won’t be an easy one with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens coming to town. Tough to bet against KC defending their turf on banner raising night.
Sunday, September 8th
Pittsburgh (0-0) at Atlanta (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Atlanta -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
All I hear is how great Atlanta is suddenly. Isn’t their 3rd receiver on the depth chart Ray Ray McCloud? Who has Kirk Cousins ever beat? Oh, and TE Kyle Pitts is questionable. I think the Pittsburgh offense will awaken, while the ferocious Steelers defense will keep Cousins and the Falcons offense in check.
Arizona (0-0) at Buffalo (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
The Bills and Josh Allen look to start off the season strong vs a rebuilding Arizona team.
Jacksonville (0-0) at Miami (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami
The Dolphins win the Battle of Florida as they’ll find a way to outscore the Jacksonville offense.
Dallas (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cleveland -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Dallas | MJD: Cleveland
I think Cleveland is fake news, and Dallas will go on the road and quiet the Dawg Pound this Sunday afternoon.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MPD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 7-3 —
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 5-5 -2
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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