0
0
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?
We are one month into the Odds season, and my dad and I are as hot as both the Steelers and Pitt.
My 27-13 record is as good as any experts right now, with dad just three games back at 24-16.
This 5th session has both Pitt and WVU on bye weeks, so I had to find some good replacements, and I doubt it gets much better than Georgia at Alabama this Saturday night.
Hopefully the winning continues for both of us, and for those Steelers and Panthers, too….
Week 5
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/25/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, September 28th
Minnesota (2-2) at #12 Michigan (3-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
Michigan stormed back to shock USC, who was favored in the Big House, and now look to fend off the Golden Gophers this Saturday afternoon. I like their chances.
#21 Oklahoma (3-1) at Auburn (2-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Oklahoma -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Oklahoma | MJD: Oklahoma
Oklahoma almost rallied to backdoor that Tennessee spread late last week, but, they didn’t, so I had to settle for a 4-1 record in NCAA games last week. I’ll give them a chance to make amends this week vs the War Eagle.
#2 Georgia (3-0) at #4 Alabama (3-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Georgia -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Alabama
Game of the Year so far in college, with the winner taking pole position in the SEC. Always tough to bet against the Tide at home, but them Dawgs will be the ones rollin’ Saturday night.
#3 Ohio State (3-0) at Michigan State (3-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -23.5
The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State
Thee Ohio State goes up against a 3-1 Spartan team that isn’t as good as their record indicates. Buckeyes cover eventually in the 4th quarter.
#19 Illinois (4-0) at #9 Penn State (3-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -17.5
The Pick: MPD: Illinois | MJD: Penn State
Penn State faces their toughest test of the season against the Illini, and though I doubt any upsets will take place, Illinois should find a way to cover.
NFL
Sunday, September 29th
Pittsburgh (3-0) at Indianapolis (1-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers defense will be too much for Anthony Richardson to handle, and to boot, expect a big day from Justin Fields through the air.
Denver (1-2) at NY Jets (2-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: NY Jets -7.5
The Pick: MPD: NY Jets | MJD: NY Jets
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets should have no problem against a Denver offense that won’t be able to match them score for score.
Jacksonville (0-3) at Houston (2-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Houston -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Houston
Jacksonville may be the worst team in the NFL, and they get an angry Houston team that was humbled last week in Minnesota.
Washington (2-1) at Arizona (1-2)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: Arizona -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Arizona
Every expert, including my dad, seem to be going for Arizona in this game. I really like what I saw out of Jayden Daniels against the Bengals on Monday night, and I think he will continue to shine against a suspect Cardinals defense.
New England (1-2) at San Francisco (1-2)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: San Francisco -10.5
The Pick: MPD: San Francisco | MJD: San Francisco
The 49ers have injuries everywhere, and no one anywhere was expecting a 1-2 start out of this team that was supposed to be Super Bowl contenders… they get back on track with New England visiting.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MPD: Last Week: 8-2 | Overall: 27-13 —
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 24-16 -3
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!
-
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!
Latest entries
NFLOctober 10, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders GameDay Preview
NCAAFOctober 10, 2024Pitt Panthers vs Cal Golden Bears GameDay Preview
FootballOctober 10, 2024Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
FootballOctober 9, 2024WPIAL Football Report: Week Seven
