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?
It was a tough week to choose games, but sometimes things don’t work out in your favor, as it didn’t for me, going a decent 6-4, but being quite disappointed that record wasn’t better, thanks to dismal showings by both the Pitt Panthers and LA Rams. Shocked by the loss by Atlanta to New Orleans to boot.
Dad had an even worse week, coming in at 4-6, which knocks him back to being four games behind me on the season.
So far, we both have excellent records, with me leading the way at 67-43, to his 63-47.
Out of the ten games this weekend, we disagree on just three.
Let’s get to the slate!!
Week 12
Against All Odds Lines as of 11/13/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, November 16th
#20 Clemson (7-2) at Pitt (7-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Clemson -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Clemson | MJD: Pitt
Three weeks ago, this game was as anticipated any Pitt game in recent memory, but two straight losses by the Panthers have killed any ounce of excitement built through the first seven games of the season. Since the UNC game, Eli Holstein and the offense has all but disappeared, and unless a miracle occurs between now and Saturday, it’s looking like a third defeat in a row for Pitt.
#4 Penn State (8-1) at Purdue (1-8)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -28.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
Penn State has to keep looking good for the CFP peeps, so expect the Nittany Lions to run the score up as much as they can against a bad Purdue team.
Baylor (5-4) at West Virginia (5-4)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Baylor -3.5
The Pick: MPD: West Virginia | MJD: Baylor
Does it really matter if I pick WVU to win or lose? Pretty much, no matter what I do, they do the opposite, so what the hell, I’ll pick ’em to somehow beat Baylor at home, knowing full well this will probably be a loss for me Saturday evening.
#1 Oregon (10-0) at Wisconsin (5-4)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Oregon -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Oregon | MJD: Oregon
Oregon will continue to roll, despite a decently tough road test up at Wisconsin. This might be a game for awhile, but by the 2nd half, the Ducks will pull away.
#7 Tennessee (8-1) at #12 Georgia (7-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Georgia -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
Technically, Georgia is on the outside looking in for the College Football Playoffs, so basically, this game is a must win for the Dawgs. Tennessee may not win, but I highly doubt they’ll lose by double digits.
NFL
Sunday, November 17th
Baltimore (7-3) at Pittsburgh (7-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
So the team that is in 1st place in the AFC North, that has been scoring nearly 30 points a game since Russell Wilson took over, with the #2 ranked defense, is going to be underdogs against a team that they have beaten seven out the past eight games? At home? I don’t think so, Joel. There is no doubt, Baltimore’s offense looks unstoppable, but they seem to come to heel when they face the Steelers, not to mention, the Ravens defense is absolutely horrid.
Pittsburgh is the better team, top to bottom.
Green Bay (6-3) at Chicago (4-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Green Bay | MJD: Chicago
The Bears…? Well, they be the Bears, and the misery will continue this weekend against their rivals from the north. Packers by a touchdown.
Jacksonville (2-8) at Detroit (8-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -12.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
This game could get ugly in a hurry. The Lions, who came back from a big halftime deficit against Houston, will bury the hapless Jaguars, who will be without the services of Trevor Lawrence.
Kansas City (9-0) at Buffalo (6-3)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
The nine lives of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will be coming to an abrupt end this week. You can only get lucky so many times, but this time their luck runs out when they head to Buffalo to face Josh Allen and the Bills.
Cincinnati (4-6) at LA Chargers (6-3)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -1.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
Everyone in the media keeps hyping up the Bengals, despite a 4-6 record… But, but, they have Joe Burrow!! So what? There’s a reason they’ve lost six out of ten. The Chargers have a damn good defense and I doubt they’ll completely shut down the Bungles offense, but Justin Herbert and LA’s offense will provide just enough points to send Cinci to another loss.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 67-43 — (.609)
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 63-47 -4 (.572)
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
NFLDecember 14, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles GameDay Preview
FootballDecember 12, 2024Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
NFLDecember 6, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns GameDay Preview
FootballDecember 6, 2024Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
