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?
Down the stretch we come… and we’re all even.
Both dad and I are 83-57, which I must say is pretty damn good in comparison to anyone in the sports media, or Vegas itself.
The college football regular season has almost come to a close, with certain positions in the College Football Playoffs being settled in the Championship Games that will be played on Saturday.
This year we will choose only certain Bowl games to pick from, as most of the time many key players beg out of the game, and it becomes anyone’s guess what either team has to offer.
Next week we’ll have the epic Army-Navy game, and see what nine games the NFL has to offer before we see what Bowl’s will offer a quality game.
Week 15
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/4/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, December 7th
Big 12 Championship
#16 Iowa State (10-2) at #15 Arizona State (10-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM | Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Arizona State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Arizona State | MJD:Â Iowa State
The Big 12 was such a mess this season, and who can blame anyone, as the conference is a shell of it once was.
The venue offers no real advantage, but after closer inspection, something about Arizona State, and how they have been playing of late caught my attention, including taking down BYU, and I think the Sun Devils will find a way to take this game by at least a field goal.
SEC ChampionshipÂ
#5 Georgia (10-2) at #2 Texas (11-1)
Game Time: 4:00 PM | Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New Orleans, LA.
Vegas Line: Texas -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD:Â Texas
A rematch in which Georgia earlier pounded Texas 30-15 on October 19th.
Both teams look pretty even, with the exception of the Longhorns defense giving up just 11.6 points a game, compared to the Bulldogs 20.5.
I’m going with Georgia again here, as a 3rd loss could conceivably boot the Dawgs from the Top 12, so without a doubt, they have much more to play for than the Longhorns, who will be in no matter what happens in this game.
Big Ten Championship
#3 Penn State (11-1) at #1 Oregon (12-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Oregon -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Oregon | MJD:Â Oregon
Yet another chance for Penn State and James Franklin to win a game that actually counts for something.
Every time they go up against the bully, they get their hats handed to them. They avoided a two loss season thanks to finally not having Michigan on the schedule, and before you say, who, the 7-5 Wolverines? Yea, ask Ohio State how they’re feeling after last week’s loss to the Wolverines.
A a lot of Penn State fans are complaining about having to play this game, as a loss to the Ducks could possibly jeopardize their chances of having a home playoff game in Happy Valley.
I have an idea…. how about winning the game?
Not gonna happen, bub. Ducks all day, and all night.
ACC Championship
#17 Clemson (9-3) at #8 SMU (11-1)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.
Vegas Line: SMU -2.5
The Pick: MPD: SMU | MJD:Â SMU
After losing to South Carolina in a non-conference game, Clemson fell into this game backwards, thanks to Miami choking away their season to Syracuse, and the Tigers owning the tiebreakers.
Their reward will be a date with SMU, who has faltered only once this season, that to BYU 18-15.
I like the Mustang’s offense to overwhelm Clemson, and pretty much have this game in hand by the time the 4th quarter begins.
NFLÂ
Sunday, December 8th
Cleveland (3-9) at Pittsburgh (9-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD:Â Pittsburgh
The Steelers have to be absolutely salivating at a chance to pay the Browns back for their humiliating loss two weeks ago up in Cleveland. This time, the shoe is on the other foot, and Pittsburgh is going to put it squarely up Cleveland’s collective asses this Sunday afternoon.
NY Jets (3-9) at Miami (5-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD:Â Miami
Miami will be happy to be in the heat of Florida, and should have no problem dispatching the woeful Jets who find ways to lose week by week.
Carolina (3-9) at Philadelphia (10-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -12.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD:Â Philadelphia
The Eagles will lay one upon the Panthers in a warm up game before a possible Super Bowl preview between them and the Steelers next week.
Las Vegas (2-10) at Tampa Bay (6-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Tampa Bay | MJD:Â Tampa Bay
Tampa and Baker Mayfield don’t have much room for error if they want in for the NFC playoffs, so taking down the horrific Raiders is a must win game for the Buccaneers.
Buffalo (10-2) at LA Rams (6-6)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD:Â LA Rams
Buffalo has been rolling lately, and after last week’s snow globe game against the 49ers, they get to travel to sunny California to take down yet another NFC West team.
LA Chargers (8-4) at Kansas City (11-1)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -4.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD:Â Kansas City
The Chargers may not have a shot at the AFC West title, but they will put a scare into the Chiefs before this regular season comes to a close. Yes, not only calling for LA to cover, but to take down Kansas City outright Sunday night.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 83-57Â — (.593)
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 83-57Â — (.593)
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
BonusJanuary 17, 2025Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
NFLJanuary 10, 2025Wild Card Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens GameDay Preview
FootballJanuary 8, 2025Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
FootballJanuary 2, 2025Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
