Scully’s Week 8 College Football Free Picks
October 18th, 2018
James Scully is coming off a strong performance in Week 7 with three winners, and improved his NCAAF record to 16-11-1 ATS (59.2%)! He's back for to offer Week 8 College Football free picks, and is leaning hard on favorites this Saturday.
*ATS (Against the Spread) / SU (Straight Up) * PK indicates pick *home team in caps
Alabama Crimson Tide -29 vs TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (Saturday 3:30 ET)
Sticking with Alabama (-29), who can make it two consecutive covers in advance of bye week. Tide yet to put together a complete game so far, with either the defense or offense struggling at times during the first half of the season, but they’re getting it done on both sides with elite QB Tua and the seventh-ranked scoring defense (15.1 points per game). Give credit to Tennessee and coach Pruitt for snapping an 11-game SEC losing streak, improving to 3-3 overall by upsetting Auburn as a 15.5-point underdog, but Tigers shot themselves in the foot with three turnovers while outgaining the Vols. Auburn didn’t pressure QB Guaranntano, who had a breakout game throwing for 328 yards and two TDs, and Vols have young and talented WRs. But they won’t be able to run the ball effectively or neutralize a fierce Tide pass rush. Tennessee lost a starting LB last week and doesn’t have the personnel to slow Alabama’s #1-ranked offense by points (53.6) and yards (567). Tide 6-2 ATS in last eight meetings and rebounded nicely last week after allowing three straight backdoor covers, holding Missouri’s high-scoring offense scoreless in the second half. Alabama will force turnovers and record their third consecutive 30+ win over the Vols!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Alabama -29 over Tennessee!
North Carolina State +17.5 vs CLEMSON TIGERS (Saturday 3:30 ET)
Both teams exit bye weeks and like how Clemson (-17.5) got back on track in last game versus Wake Forest, posting their second cover against overmatched conference foes. Battle-tested Tigers fortunate to be undefeated after close calls against Texas A&M and Syracuse and they’ve been listening to pundits questioning their credentials. Defense capable of asserting itself in this match-up and RB Etienne leads nation’s fourth best running attack (280 rushing yards per game). North Carolina St. had scheduled game versus West Virginia cancelled due to hurricane and they’ve surrendered a lot of points to suspect competition in last three outings. Wolfpack scored only seven in second half versus Boston College as QB Finley tossed a pair of interceptions and they’ll have trouble moving the ball here. Clemson looking to make a playoff statement entering the second half of season and will take no prisoners in an easy cover!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Clemson -17.5 over North Carolina St.!
Vanderbilt Commodores -11.5 vs KENTUCKY WILDCATS (Saturday 7:30 ET)
With the nation’s top pass rusher in LB/DE Allen, Kentucky (-11.5) also features one of the nation’s best run defenses and defense kept them in game at Texas A&M last time, scoring at TD in the fourth quarter to force OT after an anemic offensive showing. Bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Wildcats, who can get RB Snell and his offensive counterparts back on track against this opponent. Vanderbilt won’t be able to hurt Kentucky with the run like they have in years past (5-2 ATS in last seven meetings). Commodores lack a passing attack, with QB Shurmur going a putrid 18-for-36 as offense managed only a pair of second-half FGs last week, and Vandy was outgained 576-336 and blew a 21-3 lead against Florida, who wound up covering on the road. RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn left last week’s game with an injury and Vanderbilt stinks in conference road games, posting a 1-6 ATS mark in the last seven. Cats take care of business against a reeling foe, lay the points in a blowout home win!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Kentucky -11.5 over Vanderbilt!
Southern California Trojans +7.0 vs UTAH UTES (Saturday 8:00 ET)
Utah (7.0) got off to a slow start in conference play, losing 21-7 to Washington at home and 28-24 to Washington St. away, but they’ve turned things around and bring plenty of momentum and a high-scoring attack following a 40-21 blasting at Stanford and a 42-10 romp over Arizona. QB Tyler Huntley has developed into a dynamic runner and passer and Zack Moss asserting himself as one of the leading RBs in Pac-12. Utah is humming with their improved offense and they’re 3-1 ATS in last four meetings versus Southern Cal. Trojans pathetic 6-14 ATS in last 20 games under Helton and can only be played at home; they were embarrassed 17-3 at Stanford and 37-14 at Texas and prevailed by a 24-21 margin over a poor-playing Arizona on the road. They’ll get little going offensively in a tough road setting (Utah 10-4 ATS in last 14 home games) and Utah can eliminate any suspense by getting out to a big lead in a double-digit victory!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Utah -7.0 over Southern Cal!
*ATS (Against the Spread) / SU (Straight Up) * PK indicates pick *home team in caps
Alabama Crimson Tide -29 vs TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (Saturday 3:30 ET)
Sticking with Alabama (-29), who can make it two consecutive covers in advance of bye week. Tide yet to put together a complete game so far, with either the defense or offense struggling at times during the first half of the season, but they’re getting it done on both sides with elite QB Tua and the seventh-ranked scoring defense (15.1 points per game). Give credit to Tennessee and coach Pruitt for snapping an 11-game SEC losing streak, improving to 3-3 overall by upsetting Auburn as a 15.5-point underdog, but Tigers shot themselves in the foot with three turnovers while outgaining the Vols. Auburn didn’t pressure QB Guaranntano, who had a breakout game throwing for 328 yards and two TDs, and Vols have young and talented WRs. But they won’t be able to run the ball effectively or neutralize a fierce Tide pass rush. Tennessee lost a starting LB last week and doesn’t have the personnel to slow Alabama’s #1-ranked offense by points (53.6) and yards (567). Tide 6-2 ATS in last eight meetings and rebounded nicely last week after allowing three straight backdoor covers, holding Missouri’s high-scoring offense scoreless in the second half. Alabama will force turnovers and record their third consecutive 30+ win over the Vols!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Alabama -29 over Tennessee!
North Carolina State +17.5 vs CLEMSON TIGERS (Saturday 3:30 ET)
Both teams exit bye weeks and like how Clemson (-17.5) got back on track in last game versus Wake Forest, posting their second cover against overmatched conference foes. Battle-tested Tigers fortunate to be undefeated after close calls against Texas A&M and Syracuse and they’ve been listening to pundits questioning their credentials. Defense capable of asserting itself in this match-up and RB Etienne leads nation’s fourth best running attack (280 rushing yards per game). North Carolina St. had scheduled game versus West Virginia cancelled due to hurricane and they’ve surrendered a lot of points to suspect competition in last three outings. Wolfpack scored only seven in second half versus Boston College as QB Finley tossed a pair of interceptions and they’ll have trouble moving the ball here. Clemson looking to make a playoff statement entering the second half of season and will take no prisoners in an easy cover!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Clemson -17.5 over North Carolina St.!
Vanderbilt Commodores -11.5 vs KENTUCKY WILDCATS (Saturday 7:30 ET)
With the nation’s top pass rusher in LB/DE Allen, Kentucky (-11.5) also features one of the nation’s best run defenses and defense kept them in game at Texas A&M last time, scoring at TD in the fourth quarter to force OT after an anemic offensive showing. Bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Wildcats, who can get RB Snell and his offensive counterparts back on track against this opponent. Vanderbilt won’t be able to hurt Kentucky with the run like they have in years past (5-2 ATS in last seven meetings). Commodores lack a passing attack, with QB Shurmur going a putrid 18-for-36 as offense managed only a pair of second-half FGs last week, and Vandy was outgained 576-336 and blew a 21-3 lead against Florida, who wound up covering on the road. RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn left last week’s game with an injury and Vanderbilt stinks in conference road games, posting a 1-6 ATS mark in the last seven. Cats take care of business against a reeling foe, lay the points in a blowout home win!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Kentucky -11.5 over Vanderbilt!
Southern California Trojans +7.0 vs UTAH UTES (Saturday 8:00 ET)
Utah (7.0) got off to a slow start in conference play, losing 21-7 to Washington at home and 28-24 to Washington St. away, but they’ve turned things around and bring plenty of momentum and a high-scoring attack following a 40-21 blasting at Stanford and a 42-10 romp over Arizona. QB Tyler Huntley has developed into a dynamic runner and passer and Zack Moss asserting himself as one of the leading RBs in Pac-12. Utah is humming with their improved offense and they’re 3-1 ATS in last four meetings versus Southern Cal. Trojans pathetic 6-14 ATS in last 20 games under Helton and can only be played at home; they were embarrassed 17-3 at Stanford and 37-14 at Texas and prevailed by a 24-21 margin over a poor-playing Arizona on the road. They’ll get little going offensively in a tough road setting (Utah 10-4 ATS in last 14 home games) and Utah can eliminate any suspense by getting out to a big lead in a double-digit victory!
Week 8 College Football Free Picks – Bet Utah -7.0 over Southern Cal!
James Scully is a professional handicapper who hails from the great state of Ohio. You can follow him on Twitter @JamesScully.
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