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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?
In terms of weeks, the last one pretty much sucked.
It was bad enough to watch the Pitt women’s volleyball team lose in the Final Four again on Friday night. Then on Saturday, the Steelers were blown away for the 2nd straight week, the Penguins were shutout by New Jersey, and to complete it all, I went 3-7, to my dad’s 4-6 in picks.
I was Captain Kirk screaming “KHAAAAAN!” type pissed, but it was what it was.
Now, like both the Steelers and Penguins, it’s time to rebound in a big way.
No more bull, I hate losing and now my focus has returned and I expect nothing less than a big week at the office here.
For the year, I’m now 99-71, good enough for a two game led over my dad.
This week we have five NCAA games, including Pitt, and the College Football Playoffs which don’t play until next week, but we’ll tally the stats afterwards. Five very good NFL match-ups as well, all of which with consequences for the winner… or loser.
Out of the ten games, me and dad disagree on just two.
Let’s see what we have in store for Week 18.
Week 18
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/23/2024
NCAA
Thursday, December 26th
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Pitt (7-5) at Toledo (7-5)
Game Time: 2:00 PM | Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI.
Vegas Line: Pitt -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Toledo
If Pitt loses this game, to Toledo, no matter who is playing, they had better stay in Detroit. Enough is enough. Find a way to end this season on some type of positive note after their epic collapse.
NCAA College Football Playoffs
Tuesday, December 31st
Fiesta Bowl
#6 Penn State (12-2) at #3 Boise State (12-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ.
Vegas Line: Penn State -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Boise State | MJD: Boise State
Penn State looked great last week, much to the delight of my PSU following here, but let’s see if they can do it two games in a row. Boise State averages 39.1 points per game and is lead by running back Ashton Jeanty, who has rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. I like the Broncos to pull the upset.
Wednesday, January 1st
Peach Bowl
#5 Texas (12-2) at #4 Arizona State (11-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM | Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Vegas Line: Texas -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas | MJD: Arizona State
Texas was another team that just came in and worked their opponent, which happened to be Clemson. Kinda hard to see the Longhorns not carving up the Sun Devils. Both teams have a solid offense, but Texas has the better one, allowing just 13.2 points a game, compared to ASU which allows 21.3.
Rose Bowl
#9 Ohio State (11-2) at #1 Oregon (13-0)
Game Time: 5:00 PM | Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasedena, CA.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State
The Buckeyes were the most impressive team of all, absolutely destroying Tennessee. Oregon got the first meeting 32-31. The Ducks won’t be as fortunate in this one. Ohio State gets their revenge.
Sugar Bowl
#7 Notre Dame (12-1) at #2 Georgia (11-2)
Game Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Vegas Line: Georgia -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
Notre Dame took down an Indiana team that looked overwhelmed, but looked like a team on a mission. As good as Georgia is, I can’t see them going far without top quarterback Carson Beck. The Irish move on to the semifinals.
NFL
Wednesday, December 25th
Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers have lost two in a row, but in their 3rd game in eleven days, they will get star receiver George Pickens, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, and safety DeShon Elliot all back. The Chiefs are looking better as the season goes along, which is strange to say considering they are 14-1. Kansas City have been masters of winning these one score games. Their luck runs out this week. Pittsburgh bounces back in a big way, and takes care of business on Christmas Day for their fans.
Baltimore (10-5) at Houston (9-6)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Houston
The Ravens were finally able to exact revenge on the Steelers last week, but can they do it again this week on the road in Houston? Regardless if they do, they won’t win by the crazy spread set forth by Vegas at 6.5…
Saturday, December 28th
LA Chargers (9-6) at New England (3-12)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -3.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
The Chargers solidify their spot in the playoffs at the hands of the Patriots, who have battled well the past few games.
Denver (9-6) at Cincinnati (7-8)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
Amazingly, the Bengals still have a shot at the playoffs, and they will hold onto that hope for at least one more week, as I like them to take down a Denver team that could be in big trouble if they do happen to lose this game.
Arizona (7-8) at LA Rams (9-6)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -5.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
The Rams have been on fire, and despite a tougher than expected game last week against the Jets, they found a way to win. Matt Stafford, Puca Nacua, and Cooper Kupp will do work their magic again and lead the way to their 10th win.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 3-7 | Overall: 99-71 — (.582)
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 97-73 -2 (.571)
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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