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Are you a degenerate gambler? Maybe you’re someone who casually picks games against the spread, just to see how smart you really aren’t. If this describes you, or if you enjoy being entertained by the best sports columnist in Pittsburgh, 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 Super Bowl LXI!
This is where, I, Mike Drakulich (MPD), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on my dad, 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 if you do make a wager!
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. The rest are the week’s most intriguing games.
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 2026-27 Against All Odds Champion?
Week two came and… well, I was ready for the start of the NFL season that Sunday for the Steelers, and before I was ready to head down to the wonderful St. Anthony Club in Midland, I was badly injured in a fall in my backyard. I ended up tearing my quad in my left leg and had a partial tear in the right. So I spent that Steelers-Falcons game in the ER in pain while waiting to see what was going to happen to me.
I had surgery the next Tuesday morning to repair the quad, and every day since I have been motivated to get healthier and stronger by the day. Two weeks straight in the hospital is a long time. The most painful part of it all was watching the Pitt games from a hospital bed instead of in the Press Box.
But I’m home now, and face a few months of recovery. I’m actually up and walking a bit each day, but I have to be patient and let both knees heal.
In the meantime, I have all of my equipment back, and can now return to writing.
So after a two week break, we’re back to see who’s better at picking against the odds!
Week 5
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/30/2026
NCAA
Friday, October 2nd
Pitt (4-0) at Virginia Tech (4-0)
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Penn State (3-0) at Northwestern (2-1)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Northwestern | MJD: Northwestern
Saturday, October 3rd
WVU (3-1) at Iowa State (2-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Iowa State -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Iowa State | MJD: Iowa State
Michigan (3-1) at Minnesota (3-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Michigan
#5 Ohio State (3-1) at #14 Iowa (4-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -14.5
The Pick: MPD: Iowa | MJD: Iowa
NFL
Thursday, October 1st
Pittsburgh (2-1) at Cleveland (2-1)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Sunday, October 4th
New England (1-2) at Buffalo (3-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: New England
NY Jets (1-2) at Chicago (2-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Chicago -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Chicago | MJD: Chicago
LA Rams (1-2) at Philadelphia (2-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -2.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: Philadelphia
Jacksonville (2-1) at Cincinnati (2-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 10-10 —
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 9-11 -1
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2026-27 Champion: TBD
2025-26 Champion: MPD
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
(Series tied 6-6-1)
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!
Latest entries
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