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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?
Just when you think it can’t get any worse… it does.
I figured we’d go with 20 games last week, maybe get back on track by force. Except Friday and Saturday came, and it was loss, after loss, after loss. A big thank you to Pitt, Michigan, Penn State, and the Steelers, just four of the teams that failed me miserably.
Once ten games over .500 and a six game lead over my dad, has turned into 74-76 and a two game disadvantage to my dad, who has a 76-74 record, as we head into Championship Weekend for the Power 4 conferences.
Next week we’ll be down to just the Army-Navy Game before Bowl Season begins.
Ten games in Week 15, with the hope that I can find a way to stack a few wins instead of continuing this maddening free fall.
Week 15
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/3/2025
NCAA Football
Saturday, December 6th
Big 12 Championship
#11 BYU (11-1) at #4 Texas Tech (11-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Texas Tech -12.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas Tech | MJD: Texas Tech
The Raiders won the first match-up 29-7, which happened to be the Cougars only loss this season. I’m still perplexed on how the hell Texas Tech lost to Arizona State… since then they’ve been destroying everyone, and BYU will suffer the same fate as before.
SEC Championship
#3 Georgia (11-1) at #9 Alabama (10-2)
Game Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Georgia -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Alabama
The Dawgs suffered their only loss of the year to Bama 24-21. Revenge will be sweet as they’re not only win, but knock Alabama from the College Football Playoffs to boot.
Big Ten Championship
#2 Indiana (12-0) at #1 Ohio State (12-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Indiana | MJD: Ohio State
This one is going to be epic. Indiana is desperate to show the world they are for real, and what better team to do it against than the defending National Champions in Ohio State? Fernando Mendoza balls out and leads the Hoosiers to the upset.
ACC Championship
Duke (7-5) at #17 Virginia (10-2)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.
Vegas Line: Virginia -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Virginia | MJD: Virginia
Just seeing this game makes me sick to my stomach.
NFL
Sunday, December 7th
Pittsburgh (6-6) at Baltimore (6-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Baltimore | MJD: Baltimore
The Steelers will never be successful so as long Mike Tomlin is the head coach. Heading towards NINE straight seasons without a playoff victory. Ravens should roll easily.
Seattle (9-3) at Atlanta (4-8)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Seattle -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Seattle | MJD: Seattle
Atlanta is fresh off of losing to the lowly Jets… Seattle and Sam Darnold will cover easily.
Cincinnati (4-8) at Buffalo (8-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
Buffalo won last week because the Steelers are a joke. Their paper defense won’t be as lucky against the Bengals who should have Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins all healthy for the first time all year.
Miami (5-7) at NY Jets (3-9)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami
Miami was supposed to be dead weeks ago, but to their credit, they continued to fight and now they are on a bit of a roll. They move to a game under .500 as they take down the Jets this Sunday.
Chicago (9-3) at Green Bay (8-3-1)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Chicago | MJD: Green Bay
The first of two very important meetings between the NFC North rivals… The winner takes control of the division. I can’t see the Bears losing this game by a touchdown.
LA Rams (9-3) at Arizona (3-9)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -8.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
The Rams should be in a bad mood after losing to Carolina last week, but as bad as Arizona has been, they’ve been good at keeping games close.
Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 10-10 | Overall: 76-74 — | (.507)
MPD: Last Week: 8-12 | Overall: 74-76 -2 | (.493)
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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