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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?
Had a very good week going into late Sunday afternoon, that being 6-2, until the Steelers and Seahawks decided to shaft me over.
So, I had to settle for a 6-4 record, good enough to raise my record to 38-22, which is now a five game advantage over my dad who is at 33-27.
Both over .500, so hard to complain, but let’s see if we can both keep the ball rolling in the right direction.
Week 7
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/9/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 12th
Cal (3-2) at #22 Pitt (5-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Cal blew a 25 point lead over Miami and now travel across the country to face a red hot Pitt offense. The Panthers and Eli Holstein will roll again.
#4 Penn State (5-0) at USC (3-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD: USC
I’ve bet against PSU two weeks in a row with them getting spreads that were a bit too much. This time around, even though the they’ll be travelling across the country, the Nittany Lions should have enough firepower to take down a USC team that was woefully overrated to start the season.
#9 Ole Miss (5-1) at #13 LSU (4-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Ole Miss -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Ole Miss | MJD: LSU
I’ve trusted Brian Kelly twice this year, and both times he shafted me over, so not this time. I think Ole Miss is favored for a good reason on the road, and will make due, especially with both a better offense and defense than the Tigers.
#2 Ohio State (5-0) at #3 Oregon (5-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Ohio State | MJD: Oregon
Huge game, and definitely the game of the week, as the Buckeyes head to Oregon to face the Ducks. Ohio State is better offensively and defensively, but not by too much. All in all, OSU is better from top to bottom and will take care of business in Eugene.
#11 Iowa State (5-0) at West Virginia (3-2)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Iowa State -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Iowa State | MJD: Iowa State
I must admit, WVU looked good last week, and I should’ve gone with my gut and picked them over Oklahoma State. This week is a much tougher opponent in Iowa State, who comes into this game knocking on the door to the top ten.
The Mountaineers will give all they have before falling just short of the upset bid of the Cyclones, who will win by a field goal.
NFL
Sunday, October 13th
Houston (4-1) at New England (1-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Houston -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Houston
New England will be going with rookie Drake Maye, who over time will be the guy, but not this week against C.J. Stroud and the Texans.
Cleveland (1-4) at Philadelphia (2-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD: Philadelphia
Cleveland, well… the Browns be the Browns, as they say, and even though the Eagles haven’t been lighting it up, they do get both A.J. Brown and Devonte Smith back at receiver. Fly Eagles, fly… Philly hands out a beating to the hapless Dawgs.
Washington (4-1) at Baltimore (3-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
Baltimore is playing great, but so is Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. I wouldn’t be surprised if Washington pulls off the upset, but they will make the cover and keep this close to the end, at the very least.
Pittsburgh (3-2) at Las Vegas (2-3)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers have potential, but Mike Tomlin refuses to allow the offense to do anything but play scared football, and when you play not to lose, you usually lose, as Pittsburgh found out last week when they fell to a wounded Dallas team.
Denver just got done pounding this Raiders team, and so I’m hoping this will be the week where Tomlin stays out of the way and lets Arthur Smith do his job and roll some points up against a weak team like Las Vegas.
If this team can’t score this week, it’s never going to happen.
Detroit (3-1) at Dallas (3-2)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
Detroit will show the Steelers how you run an offense when you play against a defense that is missing key players. The Lions will take this game by a touchdown or more.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 38-22 —
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 33-27 -5
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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