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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?
Well… it was going well. At least it was for me.
I followed up an 8-2 week with a stomach churning 4-6 record. Dad, however, kept his hot streak going with an 8-2 week, and is now 15-5 the last two weeks.
For the season, that vaults my dad above me to a record of 28-22 to my 27-23.
Ten great games this week, and we differ on six of them, so those standing may change drastically by the next time we meet here at Against All Odds.
Week 8
Against All Odds Lines as of 10/21/2026
NCAA
Saturday, October 24th
Pitt (5-2) at Miami (6-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Miami -21.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Miami
#6 Indiana (6-1) at Michigan (4-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Indiana -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Indiana
West Virginia (4-3) at TCU (3-3)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: TCU -9.5
The Pick: MPD: TCU | MJD: WVU
#2 BYU (6-0) at UCF (3-3)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: BYU -6.5
The Pick: MPD: BYU | MJD: UCF
#7 Ole Miss (5-1) at #19 Texas (4-2)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Texas -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Ole Miss | MJD: Texas
NFL
Sunday, October 25th
Pittsburgh (4-2) at New Orleans (2-4)
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, FRA
Game Time: 9:30 AM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
Indianapolis (2-4) at Minnesota (5-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Minnesota -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
Tampa Bay (1-5) at Carolina (3-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Carolina -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Carolina | MJD: Carolina
NY Giants (3-2-1) at Houston (2-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Houston -10.5
The Pick: MPD: NY Giants | MJD: NY Giants
LA Rams (2-4) at Las Vegas (3-3)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Las Vegas | MJD: LA Rams
Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 8-2 | Overall: 28-22 — (.560)
MPD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 27-23 -1 (.540)
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!
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