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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?
It was just an average week 12 for me, but as for dad… well, he went to work and handed out an ass kicking.
Going 5-5 for the week was quite infuriating, as both Pitt and WVU screwed me once again (for those counting, they’ve given me an 0-4 record between them the last two weeks), but dad was straight killing it, going 8-2, and thus gaining three important games on me, and cutting my overall lead to one game.
As we head down the stretch, 72-48 and 71-49 are damn good records when you are twelve weeks in, and I’m pretty sure we could compare our picks to anyone out there.
So, here we are in the 13th week, and out of the ten games this time, dad and I disagree on just one… that of course, is the WVU game, where I have UCF, so perhaps I can break the damn curse upon me and find myself with a two game lead come next Wednesday, cause if not, it will be a tie ballgame as we enter the final week of the regular season in college football, with the exception of the annual Army-Navy game the week after.
Week 13
Against All Odds Lines as of 11/19/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, November 23rd
#5 Indiana (10-0) at #2 Ohio State (9-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -12.5
The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State
It’s go time for Indiana, as they have their one shot to prove they are indeed for real. All they have to do is beat Ohio State on the road. Yea, sure.
#4 Penn State (9-1) at Minnesota (6-4)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -11.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
Penn State with another banner opponent to beat on. At least they are good for victories in my win column.
UCF (4-6) at West Virginia (5-5)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: UCF -2.5
The Pick: MPD: UCF | MJD: West Virginia
Here we go again… I took WVU last week to cover against Baylor and they were blown away. Now I’m going with UCF to come into Morgantown and quiet the hoopies as the Bears did. I will literally lose my mind if I lose this damn game.
Pitt (7-3) at Louisville (6-4)
Game Time: 4:00 PM
Vegas Line: Louisville -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt played tough last week, and by all accounts, should have beaten Clemson, as they outplayed them in every area… except allowing a 50 yard TD run by the Tiger’s QB with just over a minute left after shutting Clemson down the entire second half.
Pitt showed heart, and I think they will find a way to not only cover, but go down to Louisville and win this game outright. A ten win season is still there for the taking. The Panthers get one step closer.
#19 Army (9-0) at #6 Notre Dame (9-1)
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
Navy was undefeated when meeting Notre Dame and it did not go well. Now it’s Army’s turn. I honestly thought about taking the Black Knights here, but I can’t go against the Irish who are rolling right now.
NFL
Thursday, November 21st
Pittsburgh (8-2) at Cleveland (2-8)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers sit atop the AFC North after taking down Baltimore 18-16, and now travel to Cleveland to face the Browns who were clubbed 35-14 by the Saints.
No time for let downs. This is a team, if you want to get that #1 seed, that you carve up like a Thanksgiving turkey.
The weather will suck, but the Steelers will have this game in hand by the 3rd quarter, if not sooner.
Sunday, November 24th
Minnesota (8-2) at Chicago (4-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Minnesota -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
The Bears keep finding ways to lose and now get the Vikings who are fighting to stay ahead of the Packers for control of the NFC North.
Detroit (9-1) at Indianapolis (5-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
The Lions are just playing lights out, and next week they get to play on Thanksgiving as more than just tradition. This team is for real and they’ll continue their dominance over a mediocre Colts team.
Kansas City (9-1) at Carolina (3-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
Kansas City is coming off their first loss off the season at the hands of the Bills, and should take out their anger upon the hapless Panthers.
Denver (6-5) at Las Vegas (2-8)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: Denver -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Denver | MJD: Denver
Denver heads to Vegas to keep their place inside the AFC Playoff field. They will.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 72-48 — (.600)
MJD: Last Week: 8-2 | Overall: 71-49 -1 (.592)
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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