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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?
You stupid idiot.
That’s me last week, and I swear, from now on, I will never change a selection I make, especially after being coaxed by some of the other dummies on ESPN.
At the very last moment before sending my picks to my dad, I changed the winner of the games in Ohio State to Texas, and Tennessee to Syracuse, and thanks to that, I started off the year at 5-5, and am now two games behind my dad, who went 7-3.
We have an early edition this week, as the NFL kicks off this Thursday night between the defending champion Eagles taking on the Cowboys.
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Week 2
Against All Odds Lines as of 9/3/2025
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NCAA Football
Saturday, September 6th
Central Michigan (1-0) at Pitt (1-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pitt -21.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD:Â Pitt
Pitt crushed Duquesne 61-9, and Central Michigan upset San Jose State on the road, despite being 13.5 point underdogs.
Pitt ain’t San Jose State, and the Chippewas won’t be rushing for 235 plus yards against the Panthers.
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Florida International (1-0) at #2 Penn State (1-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -41.5
The Pick: MPD: FIU | MJD:Â Penn State
Penn State stayed at #2 despite a victory and #1 Texas losing to #3 Ohio State.
The Nittany Lions also failed to cover against Nevada, and I doubt they will this week, when Florida International comes to Happy Valley.
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West Virginia (1-0) at Ohio (0-1)
Game Time: 4:00 PM
Vegas Line: West Virginia -3.5
The Pick: MPD: West Virginia | MJD:Â Ohio
Odd spread as it seems Vegas does not trust the Hoopies in this one. Word on the street is despite the game being in Ohio, the majority of the crowd will be sporting Mountaineers gear, as it was reported that WVU fans bought up most of the tickets to the game.
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Boston College (1-0) at Michigan State (1-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Michigan State -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Boston College | MJD:Â Michigan State
This one could go either way, but I have a feeling the Eagles will not only cover, but win outright.
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#15 Michigan (1-0) at #18 Oklahoma (1-0)
Game Time: 7:30 PM
Vegas Line: Oklahoma -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD:Â Michigan
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was impressive in his debut, but the Wolverine defense was not, allowing New Mexico to hang around towards the end of the game. I expect Michigan to be much more motivated and sharper when they head to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Sooners.
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NFL
Thursday, September 5th
Dallas (0-0) at Philadelphia (0-0)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD:Â Philadelphia
The defending champion Eagles should have no issues taking care of the mess that is the Cowboys, shortly after raising their new Super Bowl banner in pregame.
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Sunday, September 7th
Pittsburgh (0-0) at NY Jets (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD:Â Pittsburgh
It’s Aaron Rodgers against his former team, the Jets… and it’s Justin Fields against his former team, the Steelers.
From top to bottom, Pittsburgh is the better team, and despite not playing in the preseason, Rodgers is going to quiet his naysayers in a hurry Sunday afternoon.
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Cincinnati (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD:Â Cincinnati
The Bengals, behind the high-powered offense featuring Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, will be busy smashing to hapless Browns from start to finish.
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NY Giants (0-0) at Washington (0-0)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Washington -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD:Â Washington
Jayden Daniels and Washington will have no problem taking down Russell Wilson and the Giants.
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Baltimore (0-0) at Buffalo (0-0)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD:Â Baltimore
Game of the Week with the winner gaining a huge edge over the other… I like Josh Allen and the Bills to survive the Ravens playing at home.
Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 7-3 — | (.700)
MPD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 5-5Â -2 | (.500)
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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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