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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 2025-26 Against All Odds Champion?
It took five tries, but I finally was able to put forth a big week with a 7-3 record, which only bested my dad by one game, who stayed hot at 6-4.
For the year, dad holds a two game advantage over me with a record of 29-21.
Those endless .500 records were getting on my nerves, and I have to say, 27-23 feels much better.
Now it’s time to keep the ball rolling in the winning direction… let’s see what we have in store for Week 6.
Week 6
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/1/2025
NCAA Football
Friday, October 3rd
West Virginia (2-3) at #23 BYU (4-0)
Game Time: 10:30 PM
Vegas Line: BYU -18.5
The Pick: MPD: BYU | MJD: BYU
It’s BYU’s turn to pound the Mountaineers into roadkill.
Saturday, October 4th
Boston College (1-3) at Pitt (2-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt is officially the “Hold my beer” team in college football when it comes to “It can’t get any worse.”
Last week they blew 17-0 and 27-17 leads to eventually lose 34-27 to Louisville.
The bright side? Boston College sucks, so not even Pitt could blow this game, right?
Wisconsin (2-2) at #20 Michigan (3-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -16.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
Michigan will have to lay down a few beatings, especially playing at home, to get back into any talk of getting into the College Football Playoffs. Whipping a down Wisconsin team is a good place to start.
#7 Penn State (3-1) at UCLA (0-4)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -25.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD: Penn State
Don’t worry Penn State fans, UCLA has become a cupcake, so you’ll have no problem making the cover in this one.
#3 Miami (FL) (4-0) at #18 Florida State (3-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Florida State
Florida State looks to rebound after Virginia took it to them last week. Unfortunately for them, it’s looking like consecutive losses with the Hurricanes paying them a visit.
NFL
Sunday, October 5th
Minnesota (2-2) at Cleveland (1-3)
Game Time: 9:30 AM
Vegas Line: Minnesota -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
Minnesota has the clear advantage, as they have stayed in Europe following their loss to the Steelers last Sunday in Ireland. The Browns will be benching Joe Flacco and starting rookie Dillon Gabriel. I like the Vikings chances here.
Denver (2-2) at Philadelphia (4-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD: Philadelphia
The Eagles will find a way to remain undefeated with a Denver team still trying to find out who they are as a team.
Houston (1-3) at Baltimore (1-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Houston -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Baltimore
The Ravens can’t win with Lamar Jackson playing, let alone him being out with a hamstring injury. Not to mention, their defense sucks.
Detroit (3-1) at Cincinnati (2-2)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
The Lions should have little trouble blowing away a Bengals team that can’t score, and can’t stop teams from scoring…
Washington (2-2) at LA Chargers (3-1)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -2.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
The Chargers are coming off their first loss of the season, and will have a tough match-up with Washington paying them a visit. The biggest question will be the status of Jayden Daniels.
Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 29-21 — | (.580)
MPD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 27-23 -2 | (.540)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2025-26 Champion:
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 6-5-1)
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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