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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown, his second of the game, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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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 2024-25 Against All Odds Champion?
It took over a month, but finally one of “those” weeks arrived, and it wasn’t a total disaster.
It was my first time not going above .500, but I’ll gladly settle for 5-5, which is what I posted to gain another game over my dad who went 4-6.
For the year, I’m now 32-18, good enough for a four game lead over dad with a 28-22 record.
Some very tough games to choose from this time around, but I’m confident that I can get back on track and get that winning percentage even higher.
Out of the ten games, dad and I disagree on five, so next week’s article could get very interesting depending on the outcomes.
Week 6
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/2/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 5th
Pitt (4-0) at North Carolina (3-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
UNC has been Pitt’s kryptonite for a long time, but this time the Tar Heels luck will run out against the powerful Pitt offense led by Eli Holstein.
UCLA (1-3) at #7 Penn State (4-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -28.5
The Pick: MPD: UCLA | MJD: Penn State
Penn State will be at home, and should roll, but giving up over four touchdowns is a helluva deal I can’t take with the Bruins getting. I see like 42-17 Nittany Lions…
West Virginia (2-2) at Oklahoma State (3-2)
Game Time: 4:00 PM
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Oklahoma State | MJD: Oklahoma State
I almost went with WVU here, but then remembered how badly they struggled before coming back to stun Kansas last week. Oklahoma isn’t that good, but this Saturday they’ll do enough to win by a field goal.
#15 Clemson (3-1) at Florida State (1-4)
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Vegas Line: Clemson -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Florida State has fallen off the cliff since getting shafted out of the College Football Playoffs last year. Now it’s Clemson’s turn to pound on the Seminoles.
#10 Michigan (4-1) at Washington (3-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Washington -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Washington
A rematch of the National Championship… the Wolverines aren’t anywhere near the tenth best team in the nation, but the Huskies won’t be able to garner any revenge, even with playing at home. Michigan finds a way to steal this game late.
NFL
Sunday, October 6th
NY Jets (2-2) at Minnesota (4-0)
Game Time: 9:30 AM
Venue: Tottenham Horspur Stadium, London
Vegas Line: Minnesota -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: NY Jets
Off across the pond we go for this one, and who thought Sam Darnold would come back to haunt the Jets, even with Aaron Rodgers at the helm?
Baltimore (2-2) at Cincinnati (1-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Baltimore | MJD: Cincinnati
Honestly, I’d love to see the Bengals win this game, but it seems this team finds ways to lose, like they have so often over the past four decades. Ravens win a close one on the road and send Cinci to planning for the draft.
Cleveland (1-3) at Washington (3-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Washington -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
Washington and Jaden Daniels are looking sharp, and the good times will continue at the hands of the hapless Browns.
NY Giants (1-3) at Seattle (3-1)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Seattle -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Seattle | MJD: NY Giants
Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense should score plenty to enable the cover against the lowly Giants.
Dallas (2-2) at Pittsburgh (3-1)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers made as many mistakes as they could last week and still almost came back to beat Indianapolis. Pittsburgh will correct those problems and will be ready to shine against the Cowboys under the lights in Prime Time.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 32-18 —
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 28-22 -4
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2024-25 Champion:
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 6-4-1)
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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