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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 the best sports columnist in Pittsburgh, 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?
I guess the first week back from injury my head must’ve been foggy… as was my dad’s, as we posted relatively average results. I was 5-5 to his 4-6, so I at least added a game to my season lead over him.
For the year, I stand at 15-15, with dad at 13-17.
After looking at all the match-ups, I feel pretty good that a minimum of six wins are coming in Week 6, if not more.
Sometimes it is maddening figuring out certain team’s abilities to play with some kind of consistency, for example, the Steelers, Bengals, and WVU.
So here we go six weeks in… can the Steelers get better play from their defense, and improve to 3-2 with a win over the Colts? Can New England pick up where they left off last week when they upset Buffalo? Will Penn State drop their 3rd straight game? Can Pitt keep winning without star quarterback Mason Heintschel?
Let’s take a look at this week’s games and find out!
Week 6
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/7/2026
NCAA
Saturday, October 10th
North Carolina (2-2) at #25 Pitt (5-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: North Carolina
Arizona (4-1) at WVU (3-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Arizona -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Arizona | MJD: Arizona
Virginia Tech (4-1) at Cal (2-3)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Virginia Tech | MJD: Cal
#2 Georgia (5-0) at #6 Alabama (5-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Alabama -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Georgia | MJD: Alabama
#19 USC (5-1) at Penn State (3-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -1.5
The Pick: MPD: USC | MJD: USC
NFL
Sunday, October 11th
Indianapolis (2-2) at Pittsburgh (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Las Vegas (3-1) at New England (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: New England -3.5
The Pick: MPD: New England | MJD: Las Vegas
Minnesota (4-1) at New Orleans (1-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Minnesota -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
Denver (2-2) at LA Chargers (0-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Denver -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Denver | MJD: Denver
Detroit (2-2) at Arizona (1-3)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Arizona
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 15-15 —
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 13-17 -2
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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