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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?
Ugly week for both my dad and I, each going 4-6 for the week.
So far, after two sessions, dad has a two game lead over me with a 11-9 record.
It won’t get any easier this week, but I feel good about my research and expect to bounce back in a major way.
I will be back above .500 next time we meet.
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Week 3
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/10/2025
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NCAA Football
Saturday, September 13th
Central Michigan (1-1) at #23 Michigan (1-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan -27.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD:Â Michigan
The Wolverines should be in a bad mood when Central Michigan visits the Big House, especially after being embarrassed by Oklahoma last week.
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Pitt (2-0) at West Virginia (1-1)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD:Â Pitt
Pitt and West Virginia… The Backyard Brawl. Normally, this would be a tough one to pick, because the rivalry is so brutal, and could go either way. This time, though, Pitt is clearly the superior team, especially with WVU coming off a loss to Ohio, and missing their leading rusher, and 2nd best wide receiver.
Pitt rolls and keeps Hoopie Nation in the same drunken stupor they’ve been in since last Saturday evening.
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Villanova (1-0) at #2 Penn State (2-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -40.5
The Pick: MPD: Penn State | MJD:Â Penn State
If Penn State can’t cover against Villanova… I mean, c’mon man.
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#6 Georgia (2-0) at #15 Tennessee (2-0)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Georgia -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Tennessee | MJD:Â Tennessee
Great game, but this one should go down to the wire, and if Georgia does win, it will be by less than a field goal.
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#16 Texas A&M (2-0) at #8 Notre Dame (0-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Texas A&M | MJD:Â Notre Dame
I like Notre Dame here, but by more than a touchdown is stretching it.
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NFL
Sunday, September 14th
Seattle (0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD:Â Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh offense looked the best it has since Big Ben retired. The defense… well, drastic improvements are needed, and if they allow Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet to pile up yards on the ground, then big changes are going to be needed, and I’m pointing the finger at Mike Tomlin and his defensive schemes.
Regardless, I think the Steelers take this in comfortable fashion.
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Chicago (0-1) at Detroit (0-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD:Â Detroit
Detroit looked awful in the opener, and the Bears blew a big lead against Minnesota. I think the offense wakes up for the Lions and the Bears will drop to 0-2.
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Jacksonville (1-0) at Cincinnati (1-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Jacksonville | MJD:Â Cincinnati
The Bengals escaped with their lives last week playing Cleveland. They won’t be as lucky this week against the Jaguars.
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Buffalo (1-0) at NY Jets (0-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -6.5
The Pick: MPD: NY Jets | MJD:Â Buffalo
Buffalo gave up a ton of yards and points to the Ravens before pulling a stunning rally to defeat Baltimore. The Jets offense under Justin Fields looked very good against the Steelers. Buffalo will win, but this will be much closer than Bills fans will like.
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Philadelphia (1-0) at Kansas City (0-1)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD:Â Kansas City
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are in danger of falling to 0-2 with the defending champions visiting Arrowhead Stadium. Like in the Super Bowl, the Eagles will once again stand tall when the game is over.
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Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 11-9 — | (.555)
MPD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 9-11Â -2 | (.450)
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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
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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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!
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