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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?
Eleven weeks in, and all is pretty good in going against the odds.
Last week I was able to procure a 6-4 record, and gained a game on my dad who went 5-5.
For the season, I’m now up to 60-50, with my dad six games back with a record of 54-56.
I know full well that lead isn’t safe, so I’ll have to keep striving for above .500 weeks, as it’s only a matter of time before my dad heats up and starts stacking wins.
Only three weeks remain in the college football regular season, the Army-Navy Game notwithstanding on December 12th.
It could get very interesting this week, as my dad and I differ on five of the ten games.
Week 12
Against All Odds Lines as of 11/12/2025
NCAA Football
Saturday, November 15th
#9 Notre Dame (7-2) at #22 Pitt (7-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -11.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Notre Dame has all the flash and dash, but Pitt has the defense to stop their run game, and quarterback Mason Heintschel, who is going to show the rest of the country what the hype is all about. I remember when Florida State had a similar spread, and Notre Dame, like FSU did, is going to eat those odds.
West Virginia (6-6) at Arizona State (6-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Arizona State -11.5
The Pick: MPD: Arizona State | MJD: WVU
WVU has been on a heater the past few weeks, but those fun times will be coming to an end when they visit Tempe this Saturday afternoon.
Penn State (3-6) at Michigan State (3-6)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan State | MJD: Michigan State
My goodness, Penn State might actually win this game… might. But they won’t cover.
#11 Oklahoma (7-2) at #4 Alabama (8-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Alabama -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Alabama | MJD: Alabama
Bama takes aim at the Boomer Sooners and I think the Tide has what it takes to get the job done.
#10 Texas (7-2) at #5 Georgia (8-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Georgia -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Georgia
Texas quarterback Archie Manning has been better of late, but his good times will be coming to a crashing halt at the expense of the Dawgs of Georgia. Woof!
NFL
Sunday, November 16th
Cincinnati (3-6) at Pittsburgh (5-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers and the roller coaster Steelers try to jump-start their offense against the league’s worst in Cincinnati. I think the Steelers will be the ones standing tall after a shootout against Flacco and company, but the Bengals do enough to cover.
Tampa Bay (6-3) at Buffalo (6-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Tampa Bay | MJD: Buffalo
The Bills, like the Steelers, are a team that can beat anyone, or lose to anyone, as evidenced by the beating Buffalo took by Miami. Tampa might not win, but they will cover here.
San Francisco (6-4) at Arizona (3-6)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: San Francisco -2.5
The Pick: MPD: San Francisco | MJD: San Francisco
Arizona will be down their starting quarterback and their best receiver. 49ers bounce back this week.
Seattle (7-2) at LA Rams (7-2)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -2.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: Seattle
Game of the Week, and maybe a preview of the NFC Championship Game. In this one, the Rams on the arm of Matt Stafford, and the hands of Puca Nacua, take down Sam Darnold and Seattle.
Kansas City (5-4) at Denver (8-2)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Kansas City | MJD: Denver
This is basically a do or die game for Kansas City. With the Colts, Cowboys, Texans, Chargers, and another game against these same Broncos left, it’s time for Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs to step up.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 60-50 — | (.540)
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 54-56 -6 | (.490)
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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