Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks

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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?

Surprisingly, the Steelers bounced back from a free fall, and shocked the Colts… as for my dad and I, well, not so much.

5-5 is better than going under for the week, but these games have been beyond frustrating the past few weeks.

Out of the ten games this week, me and dad differ on just one.

I feel good about a big week here, so let’s see what we have going on in Week 11.

Week 11

Against All Odds Lines as of 11/5/2025

NCAA Football

Saturday, November 8th

#2 Indiana (9-0) at Penn State (3-5)

Game Time: 12:00 PM

Vegas Line: Indiana -14.5

The Pick: MPD: Indiana | MJD: Indiana

Penn State has dropped five straight, but hey, they’re still the Turnstile Champions! If a hundred thousand do show up for this game, they’ll be witness to Indiana carving their Nittany Lions up like a Thanksgiving turkey this Saturday afternoon.

Colorado (3-6) at West Virginia (3-6)

Game Time: 12:00 PM

Vegas Line: WVU -5.5

The Pick: MPD: WVU | MJD: WVU

WVU has found a way to cover two straight weeks, screwing me in the process. Let’s see if they can win one for me here as the favorite.

SMU (6-3) at Boston College (1-8)

Game Time: 12:00 PM

Vegas Line: SMU -10.5

The Pick: MPD: SMU | MJD: SMU

SMU has to continue winning in the ACC to keep pace for any ACC Championship Game aspirations. The Eagles played Notre Dame tough last week, but the Mustangs should get the cover here.

#3 Texas A&M (8-0) at #19 Missouri (6-2)

Game Time: 3:30 PM

Vegas Line: Texas A&M -6.5

The Pick: MPD: Texas A&M | MJD: Missouri

The Aggies are on fire and face a tough Mizzou team at home, but A&M will have enough in the tank toy win by a touchdown or more.

#4 Alabama (7-1) at LSU (5-3)

Game Time: 7:30 PM

Vegas Line: Alabama -9.5

The Pick: MPD: Alabama | MJD: Alabama

Bama has to stay hot to keep atop the SEC standings. LSU just isn’t good enough to keep this close, even at home.

NFL

Sunday, November 9th

Atlanta (3-5) at Indianapolis (7-2)

Venue: Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany

Game Time: 9:30 AM

Vegas Line: Indianapolis -5.5

The Pick: MPD: Indianapolis | MJD: Indianapolis

The Colts should be in a foul mood after being handed their ass by the Steelers last week. Must suck having to travel across the globe to get back on track.

Baltimore (3-5) at Minnesota (4-4)

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Vegas Line: Baltimore -4.5

The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota

Minnesota shocked Detroit last week at home, so how they’re underdogs in their own building against a pathetic Ravens defense is crazy to me. This shootout ends with a Vikings win.

Buffalo (6-2) at Miami (2-7)

Game Time: Buffalo -9.5

The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo

Buffalo and Josh Allen should have no issues blowing away a pitiful Miami team.

Arizona (2-5) at Seattle (6-2)

Game Time: 4:05 PM

Vegas Line: Seattle -6.5

The Pick: MPD: Seattle | MJD: Seattle

Arizona will be without Kyler Murray again, and with the way Sam Darnold is playing, Seattle should handle this one easily.

Pittsburgh (5-3) at LA Chargers (6-3)

Game Time: 8:20 PM

Vegas Line: LA Chargers -3.5

The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh

I have no idea what Steelers team is going to show up in this one, especially on defense, but Pittsburgh is due to play up to expectations in Prime Time, and SoFi Stadium will look like a home game for the Black and Gold.

Against All Odds Results

MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 54-46 — | (.540)

MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 49-51 -5 | (.490)

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)

About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

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!

Drax1975@yahoo.com

http://ngscsports.com

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Mike DrakulichYour source for Pittsburgh sports!

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!