
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?
The NFL Wild Card Playoffs are here, as are the College Football Semifinals.
It’s also the postseason for dad and I, as we are neck and neck gunning for the Against All Odds season title.
It was another down week for me, going just 5-5, but I did gain a game on my dad who went 4-6.
For the year, I am 108-82 to his 107-83.
Counting this week, there are just 16 games left on the docket!
Out of the eight games this week, we differ on two… let’s take a look at this week’s action.
Week 20
Against All Odds Lines as of 1/7/2025
NCAA College Football Semifinals
Thursday, January 9th
Orange Bowl
#7 Notre Dame (13-1) at #6 Penn State (13-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
It looks as if Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love will be good to go in this one, and the status of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter looks favorable, too. The Irish will have their hands full trying to contain PSU tight end Tyler Warren.
This game will go down to which quarterback rises to the occasion, and with Notre Dame’s defense the better of the two teams, I think the Irish advance to the National Championship via a late game field goal.
Friday, January 10th
Cotton Bowl
#8 Ohio State (12-2) at #5 Texas (13-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Texas
Texas may be playing in their home state, but with the way Ohio State is rolling, I’m not sure if it would matter if the game was being played in Austin.
Whatever spark that unleashed the Buckeye’s fury after their loss to Michigan seems to have them on track to win it all.
NFL Wild Card Playoffs
Saturday, January 11th
#5 LA Chargers (11-6) at #4 Houston (10-7)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -2.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
Houston hasn’t looked good in months, and the balance and physicality displayed by the Chargers should be plenty enough for Justin Herbert to lead Los Angeles to victory.
#6 Pittsburgh (10-7) at #3 Baltimore (12-5)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Baltimore | MJD: Pittsburgh
It’s been seven years since the Steelers last won a playoff game, and unless a miracle occurs, that will grow to eight after Baltimore and Lamar Jackson overwhelm a Pittsburgh team that plays not to lose with Mike Tomlin as head coach.
The Steelers end the year on an incredible five game losing streak, but hey, Tomlin still hasn’t had a losing season.
Sunday, January 12th
#7 Denver (10-7) at #2 Buffalo (13-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
I almost went with Denver in this one, but I think the Broncos are a year away before Bo Nix really turns this team into a viable threat in the playoffs. I think Josh Allen and the Bills are headed to the Super Bowl, and they’ll flex their muscle in this one and win by ten.
#7 Green Bay (11-6) at #2 Philadelphia (14-3)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD: Philadelphia
The Packers enter the playoffs losing three of their last five games, and injury concerns to Jordan Love isn’t helping matters. It looks as if Eagle’s QB Jalen Hurts will return after missing the last two games. All in all, Philadelphia is better from top to bottom, and with Saquon Barkley leading the way, Philly will advance to next week.
#6 Washington (12-5) at #3 Tampa Bay (10-7)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
It’s hard not to like either Jayden Daniels or Baker Mayfield in this game. They are fun to watch and they both lead offenses that are exciting to watch. Let’s not forget that Tampa buried the Commanders 37-20 in the season opener.
This time it will be much closer, and although I think the Bucs will win, I like Washington to cover as this one comes down to a game winning field goal by Chase McLaughlin.
Monday, January 13th
#5 Minnesota (14-3) at #4 LA Rams (10-7)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Minnesota -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
I expected a lot more out of the Vikings in the season finale at Detroit, but alas, the Lions absolutely crushed them en route to the #1 seed in the NFL. Now Sam Darnold tries to keep his dream season alive as his 14-3 team travels to SoFi Stadium to take on Matt Stafford and the Rams.
Both teams can light up a scoreboard on any given day, but it will be the Minnesota defense that will outplay their counterparts in blue and gold, and lead this team to another date with Detroit.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 108-82 — (.568)
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 107-83 -1 (.563)
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
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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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