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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?
Week eight had a lot of promise, but teams like the Steelers, Vikings, and USC were disappointments, leading to a good, but not great week.
I went a 6-4, with dad going 5-5, so I was lucky enough to be able to gain another game in the standings. For the year I am now 46-34, good enough for a five game lead over my dad at 41-39.
Week 9
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/22/2025
NCAA Football
Saturday, October 25th
#16 Virginia (6-1) at North Carolina (2-4)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Virginia -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Virginia | MJD: Virginia
Virginia survived quite a scare last week and that should be enough for them to wake up and bury a weak North Carolina team.
NC State (4-3) at Pitt (5-2)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt looks to win their fourth straight game, and with Mason Heintschel at quarterback for the Panthers, I like their chances to win this one by double digits.
TCU (5-2) at WVU (2-5)
Game Time: 6:00 PM
Vegas Line: TCU -13.5
The Pick: MPD: TCU | MJD: TCU
The Horned Frogs now get their chance to take the shoes to a below average WVU squad, even with the game being played in Morgantown.
#25 Michigan (5-2) at Michigan State (3-4)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
I removed Michigan from AAO thanks to them screwing me three weeks in a row. After clubbing Washington last week, I’m willing to give them yet another chance. Don’t fail me again, Wolverines, or you’ll get the Darth Vader Force choke.
#17 Tennessee (5-2) at Kentucky (2-4)
Game Time: 7:45 PM
Vegas Line: Tennessee -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
The Vols should be in a bit of a foul mood after falling to Bama last week, so Kentucky should suffice to be their victims.
NFL
Sunday, October 26th
Miami (1-6) at Atlanta (3-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Atlanta -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Atlanta | MJD: Atlanta
Miami is a complete joke right now, with even the Browns beating their brains in last week. The Falcons will follow suit this week.
NY Jets (0-7) at Cincinnati (3-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
The Bengals with Joe Flacco at quarterback should have enough firepower to dismantle the lowly winless Jets.
Chicago (4-2) at Baltimore (1-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Chicago | MJD: Chicago
I don’t care if Lamar Jackson plays or not. The Ravens defense sucks, and the Bears are starting to warm up offensively under new head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears may have over 150 yards rushing when this game ends.
Tampa Bay (5-2) at New Orleans (1-6)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Tampa Bay | MJD: Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay looks like a med unit right now on offense with the amount of injuries they have, but Baker Mayfield will find enough offense to outlast the Saints. 37-33 would work.
Green Bay (4-1-1) at Pittsburgh (4-2)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers will be pumped to face his old team in Green Bay, and hopefully the Steelers defense will find a way to not suck. Wrong team is favored.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 46-34 — | (.575)
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 41-39 -5 | (.513)
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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