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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 Super Bowl LX!
This is where, I, Mike Drakulich (MPD), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on my dad, 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 if you do make a wager!
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 some 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?
Twenty three weeks have come and gone, and we end the 2025-26 season with Super Bowl LX, as the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots.
In the previous edition, both dad and I had a goose egg, as both the LA Rams and New England failed to cover the spread for us.
I could particularly kill Sean McVay for not kicking a field goal to put the Rams down but one point with four minutes to play, which would have made the cover both here, and completed a six leg parlay that would have paid me $800.
For the year, it will be yours truly as the Against All Odds Champion, which will be my third in four years, tucked in there with a tie between me and my dad in 2023-24.
After 13 seasons, that now knots us up at 6-6-1 in the series.
It’s been a great year bringing you this article, and we look forward to returning in August when the football season resumes again.
Till then, thanks for your support, and have a great Spring and Summer!
Week 24
Against All Odds Lines as of 2/7/2026
NFL
Sunday, January 25th
Super Bowl LX
#2 New England (17-3) at #1 Seattle (16-3)
Game Time: 6:30 PM
Venue: Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.
Vegas Line: Seattle -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Seattle | MJD: Seattle
It all comes down to one game, and this was one I thought long and hard to make my pick.
Seattle has the #3 ranked offense and #1 ranked defense. New England has the #2 ranked offense, and the #4 ranked defense.
When I look at the body of work in the playoffs, this game clearly favors Seattle.
Can Sam Darnold finish off a terrific season and prove all the doubters wrong? He certainly has the weapons with Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his top receiver, along with Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed, too. A.J. Barner has become one of the better tight ends in the game. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet lead a strong run game.
Drake Maye is now a yearly MVP candidate, and he has a strong cast on offense lead by Stephon Diggs at receiver, Hunter Henry at tight end, and a tremendous duo at running back in Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Word is Maye may have a shoulder issue, and no one will know for sure how that will affect him till the game begins.
Expect a close game in the 1st half as both teams play chess to figure each other out.
By the 2nd half, I expect the Seahawks to start showing why they are the better team, top to bottom.
The Patriots may hang around for a bit, but in the end I think Seattle and Darnold raise that Lombardi Trophy and take this game by a touchdown.
Seattle 27 New England 20
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 0-2 | Overall: 110-105 — | (.516)
MJD: Last Week: 0-2 | Overall: 108-107 -2 | (.507)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2025-26 Champion: MPD
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 6-6-1)
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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