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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?
Twenty one weeks down, and just three to go!
Going 5-3 was good, but not great, as I was massively disappointed in the way the Rams played, and should have known better than to go against Josh Allen and to pick a Mike Tomlin Steelers team in the playoffs.
Dad got tripped up a few times, none worse than watching Green Bay choke away an 18 point lead to Chicago.
With just eight games left, I have a decent three game lead over my dad with a record of 107-101 to his 104-104.
A .514 winning percentage is nice in going against the odds, but it doesn’t come close to last year when I was at .572, and my dad just two games behind that. Point being, we were among the elite in the country in picking against the Vegas odds, and we’re not too shabby this year either.
Though it sucked watching the Steelers get dismantled again, and now sitting on a decade without a playoff win, some good news did come from the loss, that being the resignation of Mike Tomlin.
It was way past time for Tomlin to go. I appreciate that he won a Super Bowl in 2008, and that he had 19 winning seasons in a row, but this isn’t Cleveland, where going above .500 is considered an accomplishment.
We expect to make the playoffs here, and to win championships. That is the standard.
My choice to lead the Steelers into the promised land is LA Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
You see what he was able to do with a $71 million dollar defense with the Rams. I could only dream of what he could do with the talent Pittsburgh has on defense. Not to mention, it’s highly likely, if he doesn’t get hired somewhere else, he brings Rams Passing Coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase to Pittsburgh to be his offensive coordinator.
I might expand on all of this if I decide to pump out a This Week in Pittsburgh Sports commentary tomorrow or Friday…
Week 22
Against All Odds Lines as of 1/14/2026
NCAA Football
Monday, January 19th
National Championship Game
#10 Miami (13-2) at #1 Indiana (15-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Indiana -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Miami | MJD: Miami
Indiana is on a major roll. They certainly have my attention after destroying Oregon last week. Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman and the likely 1st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Only the Miami Hurricanes stand in their way to an unprecedented 16-0 season and a National Championship.
That’s the same Miami team that will be playing this game from the comfort of their house, and their locker room.
You combine those facts along with the fierceness of the Hurricane’s defense, and I’m all but guaranteeing that IF Indiana wins, it most certainly won’t be by 8.5 points. Hell this game might get decided in overtime.
Regardless, I’m expecting an incredible game and whomever stands tall will definitely be the well deserved National Champions.
NFL Divisional Playoffs
Saturday, January 17th
#6 Buffalo (13-5) at #1 Denver (14-3)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Denver
I went against the Bills and Josh Allen last week… yea, this game is at Denver, but I’m not making that same mistake again.
As good as Bo Nix has played, this will be his first real test and the nerves are going to be there.
There’s a reason Buffalo is favored, and they’ll reward all those who love and bet on them with a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
#6 San Francisco (13-5) at #1 Seattle (14-3)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Seattle -7.5
The Pick: MPD: San Francisco | MJD: Seattle
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks took down the 49ers in the season finale by ten, and that was with the NFC #1 Seed on the line.
I don’t think they can do that trick again, as despite the endless injuries the Niners have suffered, they still have Christian McCaffrey, and he alone will keep this a game until late in the 4th quarter.
I’m not calling the upset here, but this time San Francisco takes this game down to the wire before Seattle escapes.
Sunday, January 18th
#5 LA Rams (13-5) at #2 Chicago (12-6)
Game Time: 3:00 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Chicago | MJD: LA Rams
Matt Stafford and and the Rams weren’t very impressive in their win over Carolina. Perhaps they were caught looking ahead playing against a team that was 8-9, but c’mon man, that was the same team that handed you your ass a few weeks prior.
The Bears and Caleb Williams were dead at halftime against Green Bay, who held an 18 point lead. Their fans looked like Jake Paul after his meeting with Anthony Joshua.
Maybe the Bears were just hibernating, for when they woke up, they came back to stun the Packers 31-27, scoring 25 points in the 4th quarter.
Color me impressed, and because of that, I fully expect this game to come down to a field goal, but with the Rams breaking the hearts of Chicago fans in the end.
#5 Houston (12-5) at #2 New England (15-3)
Game Time: 6:30 PM
Vegas Line: New England -3.5
The Pick: MPD: New England | MJD: New England
Houston no doubt has an amazing defense. Had they played any other team last week that understood the concept of playing offense, they would have lost. The Patriots and Drake Maye are pretty damn good on offense, and they play some tough defense, too.
Patriots take care of C.J. Stroud and prep for a home war against division rivals Buffalo next week, and the right to advance to the Super Bowl.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 5-3 | Overall: 107-101 — | (.514)
MJD: Last Week: 3-5 | Overall: 104-104 -3 | (.500)
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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