College football will soon be upon us and it’s never too early to look at the conference and division odds posted at the sportsbook.
This time, we analyze what’s happening in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Clemson Tigers
Conference Odds: -1200
Division Odds: -2500
The Clemson Tigers have been the class of the ACC over the last few seasons, and they haven’t really been challenged much by the rest of the teams in the league. Clemson did lose an ACC regular-season game last season to Notre Dame but avenged that loss in the ACC title game.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne have moved on to the NFL, and leaves some pretty significant holes on the offensive side of the ball. Dabo Swinney has been able to reload this roster like he always does, and there will be no shortage of talent on the field for Clemson in 2021.
D.J. Uiagalelei will be the starting QB for Clemson, and there is plenty of hype surrounding his play. The Tigers should be a dominant defensive team yet again, and they are on the shortlist to win the National Championship this season.
The scores and odds show that Clemson opened up at -1000 to win the ACC, but those odds have been shortened to -1200. They are massive favorites to win the Atlantic Division at -2500, and they won’t have to deal with Notre Dame this season.
Boston College Eagles
Conference Odds: +5000
Division Odds: +2600
Boston College enters the 2021 season with some optimism after posting a 6-5 record a season ago. The odds for Boston College don’t look great, but they are another team that has to deal with Clemson in the Atlantic Division.
Quarterback Phil Jurkovec is back, and so is the entire offensive line for Boston College. If these six players stay healthy in 2021 then the Eagles should have an explosive passing attack.
This season, the defense will be a big question mark after allowing nearly 29 points per game a season ago. The Eagles do return nine starters on that side of the ball, but it remains to be seen if those players have ACC-level talent.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Conference Odds: +5000
Division Odds: +1800
Wake Forest is a tough team to figure out as the Demon Deacons had some mixed results during the 2020 season. The Demon Deacons should have a terrific offense in 2021, but the defense had some major issues stopping opponents a season ago.
The Demon Deacons are a team that has not had its conference or division odds change much since they were released, and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. Wake Forest could end up being a surprise team, but the defense will have to play well.
NC State Wolf Pack
Conference Odds: +2500
Division Odds: +1200
NC State is a popular pick to finish near the top of the league standings this year, and they have some momentum after going 8-4 a season ago. The Wolf Pack do have to face both North Carolina and Miami in crossover games, which will make this a difficult test.
The Wold Pack actually have the second-best college football odds to win the Atlantic Division at +1200, but that still doesn’t give them a great chance. The conference odds are set at +2500, but that can only be accomplished by first winning the division.
Quarterback Devin Leary should be one of the best in the conference, and he has plenty of weapons surrounding him. There are some concerns on the defensive side of the ball, but this offense should be able to score with anyone.
Louisville Cardinals
Conference Odds: +3300
Division Odds: +1600
Louisville has not had much success since Lamar Jackson was drafted into the NFL, and it could be another long season for the Cardinals. This team went just 4-7 a season ago, but there is plenty of reasons to believe that a better season is on the horizon.
Quarterback Malik Cunningham had a breakout season in 2019, and the Cardinals need him to return to that form. Louisville allowed nearly 180 yards per game in 2020, and that will be a key area to focus on this season.
Florida State Seminoles
Conference Odds: +3300
Division Odds: +1800
Is this finally the year that Florida State is able to return to dominance, or at least become a bowl-eligible team again. Head coach Mike Norvell has his work cut out for him, but strong play from quarterback McKenzie Milton could turn this offense into a force.
The college football lines for Florida State have slightly improved over the past month, but challenging Clemson doesn’t seem realistic. The Seminoles need to take baby steps if they want to return to glory in college football.
Syracuse Orange
Conference Odds: +15000
Division Odds: +5000
Syracuse went 1-9 a season ago, and there were plenty of blowouts included in those losses. The Orange should be a little better in 2021, but they will have to show some serious improvements to not finish in last place in the ACC.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Conference Odds: +700
Division Odds: +125
You will see plenty of college football picks taking the North Carolina Tar Heels as a surprise winner of the ACC. North Carolina is currently the betting favorite to win the Coastal Division, and Mack Brown has a team loaded with talent.
Quarterback Sam Howell will be a Heisman Trophy contender in 2021, and this team averaged nearly 42 points per game last season. Some skilled players did move on to the NFL, but the Tar Heels are loaded with athletes.
Miami Hurricanes
Conference Odds: +800
Division Odds: +130
Miami is another threat to win the Coastal Division and the ACC but the Hurricanes have to find a way to win some big games. The Hurricanes were embarrassed by North Carolina a season ago, and that defense must improve in a big way.
Quarterback D’Eriq King is back and should be fully healthy, and the Hurricanes will be able to score. Stopping the run will be a big key as the defense has to give the offense a chance to take over games.
The odds for Miami haven’t changed since they opened, but anything less than a second-place finish would feel like a disappointment.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Conference Odds: +5000
Division Odds: +1000
Since the Coastal Division is more wide open than the Atlantic, that could give the Pittsburgh Panthers a chance to win a division crown. Pittsburgh went 5-5 during conference play a season ago, but this is a team that is led by a great defense.
The Panthers led the ACC in several offensive categories a season ago, and it will be up to the offense to keep up this season. Quarterback Kenny Pickett is back for a 5th-season, and that should pay dividends for an offense that needs to produce.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Conference Odds: +2800
Division Odds: +700
Virginia Tech is 19-18 over the last three seasons, but this could be a season that things start to turn back around for the Hokies. Few teams in the ACC will be as experienced as Virginia Tech, and that is on both sides of the ball.
The Hokies don’t have elite talent but the experience should give Virginia Tech an edge over some of the other teams in the conference. North Carolina and Miami currently have better betting lines, but Virginia Tech could have what it takes to win the Coastal Division.
Virginia Cavaliers
Conference Odds: +4000
Division Odds: +1000
Virginia went 4-5 a season ago in ACC action, but this program always seems to find a way to win some big games. The Cavaliers actually won the Coastal Division back in 2019, but there was plenty of roster turnover before the disappointing 2020 campaign.
Turnovers were costly for the Cavaliers offense a season ago, and quarterback Brennan Armstrong will have to do a better job of leading this team. Expectations aren’t real high for Virginia in 2021, but they could pull off some upsets.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Conference Odds: +6600
Division Odds: +2500
Georgia Tech has six total wins in the last two years, and this could be another rough season. The Yellow Jackets have a brutal schedule, but they do have some experience on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Jeff Sims is the best player on this team, and he will be a huge key if the Yellow Jackets will make a run at the division title.
Duke Blue Devils
Conference Odds: +15000
Division Odds: +5000
Duke is clearly a basketball school, but David Cutcliffe has had plenty of success as the head coach of the Blue Devils. This program has gone 7-16 over the last two seasons, and this could be another tough year.
Finding a way to avoid the last place might be the number one goal for Duke.
