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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?
Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you.
That was the way it went last week for me, going 5-5, and watching my dad gain two games on me by going 7-3, as we head into the 2nd half of the season.
For the year, I’m at 55-35, with dad right behind me at 53-37.
This week, we have both the Steelers and WVU off, so we get to check out a few new teams, that will hopefully end up in the “W” column.
Out of the ten, dad and I disagree on… nothing! So here’s to a 10-0 week!
Week 10
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/30/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, November 2nd
#4 Ohio State (6-1) at #3 Penn State (7-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State
Penn State as home dogs? Nah, that can’t be, right? Then again, considering the Buckeyes have owned James Franklin and the Nittany Lions the past decade, I’m all in on… O-H… I-O!
Always a bridesmaid and never a bride.
#1 Oregon (8-0) at Michigan (5-3)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Oregon -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Oregon | MJD: Oregon
My, oh, my… seeing my Wolverines coming off a National Championship and being 14.5 point dogs at home in The Big House?? Sadly, I can’t disagree, and it’s probably going to be a painful day to watch for Michigan fans.
Air Force (1-6) at #21 Army (7-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Army -22.5
The Pick: MPD: Army | MJD: Army
Army continues to roll before we get a glimpse of what they truly are when they face Notre Dame in a few weeks, which didn’t go too well for their rivals in Navy.
UNC (4-4) at Florida State (1-7)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: UNC -2.5
The Pick: MPD: UNC | MJD: UNC
Florida State is beyond awful, and that Tar Heels offense looked pretty good last week putting up 41 against Virginia.
#18 Pitt (7-0) at #20 SMU (7-1)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: SMU -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt didn’t get any respect despite crushing Syracuse last week in Prime Time on Thursday night. They’ll take out their frustrations and earn it when they visit the #20 SMU Mustangs and humble them en route to an 8-0 start.
NFL
Sunday, November 3rd
Dallas (3-4) at Atlanta (5-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Atlanta -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Atlanta | MJD: Atlanta
Atlanta and Kirk Cousins are looking stronger by the week, and should be able to keep a below average Dallas team at bay at home this Sunday.
Miami (2-5) at Buffalo (6-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
Two teams going in opposite directions. Buffalo continues its mastery over the Dolphins.
LA Chargers (4-3) at Cleveland (2-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -1.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
Hell with it… Cleveland has cost me losses in two out of the past three weeks by covering the spread in games vs Philadelphia and outright against Baltimore. Their luck runs out this weekend.
Washington (6-2) at NY Giants (2-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Washington -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
Jayden Daniels and Washington had a spectacular Hail Mary to defeat Chicago, but won’t have to go to the last play to take down the lowly Giants this Sunday.
Jacksonville (2-6) at Philadelphia (5-2)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD: Philadelphia
The Eagles rolled over Cincinnati and should have no problem keeping the good times going against Jacksonville.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 55-35 —
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 53-37 -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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