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Are you a degenerate gambler? Maybe you’re someone who casually picks games against the spread, just to see how smart you really aren’t. If this describes you, or if you enjoy being entertained by a crazy minded Pittsburgh 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 LXI!
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. The rest are the week’s most intriguing games.
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 2026-27 Against All Odds Champion?
Against All Odds enters its 14th season on NGSC Sports, and the battle between father and son is as good as ever.
Both my dad and I have each won the Season Title six times, with one year ending in a glorious tie.
For the opening week, we have ten NCAA games, as the NFL doesn’t kick off their season until Wednesday, September 9th when the defending champion Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
Enough of all the talk, let’s get down to business…
Week 1
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/2/2026
NCAA
Saturday, September 5th
Coastal Carolina (0-0) at WVU (0-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: WVU -20.5
The Pick: MPD: WVU | MJD: WVU
Miami (OH) (0-0) at Pitt (0-0)
Game Time: 12:30 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -16.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Baylor (0-0) at Auburn (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Auburn -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Baylor | MJD: Auburn
Boise State (0-0) at #2 Oregon (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Oregon -24.5
The Pick: MPD: Boise State | MJD: Oregon
Marshall (0-0) at #18 Penn State (0-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -24.5
The Pick: MPD: Marshall | MJD: Marshall
Clemson (0-0) at #11 LSU (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: LSU -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Western Michigan (0-0) at #16 Michigan (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -28.5
The Pick: MPD: Western Michigan | MJD: Western Michigan
UCLA (0-0) at Cal (0-0)
Game Time: 10:30 PM
Vegas Line: UCLA -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Cal | MJD: UCLA
Sunday, September 6th
#24 Louisville (0-0) at #9 Ole Miss (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Ole Miss -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Louisville | MJD: Ole Miss
Wisconsin (0-0) at #4 Notre Dame (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -20.5
The Pick: MPD: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0 —
MJD: Last Week: 0-0 | Overall: 0-0 —
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2026-27 Champion: TBD
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
(Series tied 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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