in NCAA F Articles

Welcome to a world where nobody hates Duke – because nobody cares.

The ACC is better known for its basketball dominance, but the arrival of Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech has done wonders for the conference’s brand of football. As long as the upcoming hurricane season doesn’t disrupt the proceedings in Florida too much, there should be an exciting battle for ACC supremacy between Miami and Florida State. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to a recount.

The ‘Canes wasted a talented squad last year when the offensive line turned into putty, allowing 36 sacks and making life difficult for star quarterback Kyle Wright. So don’t be too worried that only center Anthony Wollschlager is returning from the 2005 line. There are several experienced players waiting in the wings to fill those holes. If they succeed, Miami is looking at a national title. The team is that good at every other position. If the O-line falters, an ACC title is still within sight at +200.

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While Miami figures to be the class of the Coastal Division, the ‘Noles are poised to take the Atlantic – and at +220 to win the conference, this would be a titanic matchup should they meet for the title. FSU’s offensive line was, like Miami’s, surprisingly poor last year, but that was mostly due to injuries. And the ‘Noles still managed to upset Virginia Tech to win the ACC for the 12th time in 14 years. Now the O-line starters are back and apparently healthy. It’s on defense where the Seminoles have to reload this season. Coach Bobby Bowden never fails in the recruiting department, luring the best of the best to Tallahassee.

You can sense the air coming out of the Hokies. They know they blew a big chance last year by losing a BCS bowl berth to the Seminoles, settling instead for a trip to the Gator Bowl to face the Louisville Cardinals. That’s where quarterback Marcus Vick did his Gregory Hines impersonation on the chest of a Louisville defender. That earned Vick an early exit from college football; now the Hokies are hoping their top-ranked defense can compensate for their questions on offense. At +500 to win the ACC, it’ll take another stumble from the Florida heavyweights to get Va. Tech back in title contention.

This team will be overlooked by casual ACC observers. Which is just fine as far as handicappers are concerned. The Tigers may be the best value to win the conference at +600; at the very least, they should be lurking in the weeds, racking up ATS victories hand over fist. Even after the loss of senior quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, there are no major holes on this team. Coach Tommy Bowden has also beaten his father’s Seminoles twice in three years. If that happens again on Sept. 16, watch out.

The ACC is also stocked with viable sleeper candidates like Boston College (+1000), Georgia Tech (+1100) and even Maryland (+1500). The Eagles are overvalued in this group after losing several star defenders and drawing a tough schedule. The Yellow Jackets have a puncher’s chance at the Coastal Division with QB Reggie Ball; the Terrapins are not too far behind now that RB Josh Allen is back from a knee injury, but Maryland should be content to go bowling this year.

The remaining clubs are North Carolina State (+2000), Virginia (+2500), North Carolina (+2600), Wake Forest (+5500) and those crazy Dukies (+16000). It’s unusual to see the Cavaliers in such a group, but they were one of four teams to go 3-5 in the ACC last year. They’re also the only club from this group who can be expected to improve – after spending this season rebuilding, that is. Keep an eye on the Cavs in selected ATS situations.