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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 2025-26 Against All Odds Champion?
Last year may have been a stomach churning year for both the Pitt Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but in the Against All Odds Season, it was an immaculate one for both my dad and I.
Last year I finished with a record of 118-88, besting my dad who was two games behind me at 116-90.
For the 12 years we’ve been doing this, dad leads the series 6-5-1.
Time to knot this all up in 2025-26!
We start off Week 1 of Against All Odds with ten NCAA games, as the NFL won’t begin their games until next week.
With that, we have some compelling match-ups this week, and it won’t be easy to pick the winners, but I’m pretty confident in what my dad and I bring to the table.
Let’s get to work!
Week 1
Against All Odds Lines as of 8/27/2025
NCAA Football
Saturday, August 30th
Duquesne (0-0) at Pitt (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -37.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt and Duquesne meet for the first time in 86 years. The Dukes will be hoping it will be another 86 years before they tangle again, after the beating they’re in for Saturday afternoon. The last three years, Boston College, WVU, and Florida State outscored the Dukes 159-24.
#1 Texas (0-0) at #3 Ohio State (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas | MJD: Ohio State
We’re gonna find out real quick if highly touted quarterback Arch Manning is the real deal or not, as he and the #1 Longhorns travel to Columbus to face the defending National Champion Buckeyes. Hook ’em horns, my money is on Texas here.
Syracuse (0-0) at #24 Tennessee (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Tennessee -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Syracuse | MJD: Tennessee
Tennessee is good, but not great. the Orange will hang around enough to make the cover.
Robert Morris (0-0) at West Virginia (0-0)
Game Time: 2:00 PM
Vegas Line: WVU -34.5
The Pick: MPD: WVU | MJD: WVU
Bobby Mo heads to Hell, aka Mountaineer Field, to face WVU and Rich Rodriguez, who has returned as head coach of West Virginia. Hope the Hoopies enjoy the win, because it will be their only one over teams from Western Pennsylvania this year. See yinz on the 13th day of the 9th month boys.
Nevada (0-0) at #2 Penn State (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -45.5
The Pick: MPD: Nevada | MJD: Nevada
It’s a National Championship Game or bust for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will roll, but it’s gonna be tough to crush Nevada by 46 or more points. I see this as Penn State 52 Nevada 7.
#8 Alabama (0-0) at Florida State (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Alabama -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Alabama | MJD: Alabama
Alabama should be able to bury the Seminoles in this one. Roll Tide!
Coastal Carolina (0-0) at Virginia (0-0)
Game Time: 6:00 PM
Vegas Line: Virginia -11.5
The Pick: MPD: Virginia | MJD: Virginia
An ACC team like Virginia is certainly capable of taking down Coastal Carolina by 13 or more….
New Mexico (0-0) at #14 Michigan (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -34.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
The Wolverines have the nations #1 ranked freshman quarterback in Bryce Underwood, so expect the Michigan offense to come out firing. That, combined with the stout Wolverines defense, should see Michigan win by 35 or more.
#9 LSU (0-0) at #4 Clemson (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Clemson -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Clemson is out to prove they’re back as National Title contenders, and they’ll certainly show if that’s the case late Saturday night when LSU rolls into Death Valley. This time around ACC > SEC.
Sunday, August 31st
#6 Notre Dame (0-0) at #10 Miami (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami
The Irish are hungry to return to the College Football Playoffs, and a brutal test awaits them in taking on the Hurricanes on the road. I think “The U” pulls off the upset.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0 — | (.000)
MJD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0 — | (.000)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2025-26 Champion:
2024-25 Champion: MPD
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 6-5-1)
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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