2013 ACC Conference: NCAA Football Gambling Predictions | Futures – Cappers Picks Blog

NCAA Football Futures – 2013 ACC Season Preview

The ACC should have a fascinating season in 2013. There are a number of true contenders as you can see below and they have some great matches with their geographical big brother the SEC, which could really shake up the way things look at the top of the polls this season.

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Two new teams join the league this year in Pittsburgh and Syracuse and they will head directly to the middle of this competitive league, at least for football. Next year things get even more interesting with the additions of Louisville and Notre Dame in a limited capacity.

This conference is on the up.

Now lets take a look at the top contenders this year (odds drawn from BetOnline).

Clemson +175

Clemson had a great season last year and has lots of players coming back to see if they can soar even higher. Chief among them is senior QB Tajh Boyd who loses his top receiver but still has one of the nation’s best playmakers – WR Sammy Watkins – to play pitch and catch with. 4 offensive linemen and 7 defensive starters return to give the Tigers a chance at a perfect season and perhaps a shot in the national title game. Their toughest game of the year just might be their opener against Georgia but it won’t influence their ACC title chances. Neither will their closer at state rival South Carolina – another juicy one. In between they have a favourable ACC schedule which is why they are a hair above Florida State in the odds and projected standings.

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Clemson has the experience where it matters most and is a good bet to win it all at +175. Whoever they face from the Coastal division would be the underdog in the ACC Championship but funnily it will be those two games against the ACC which will determine how good a season they really have.

Florida State +225

FSU has two big questions to answer. The first is whether freshman QB Jameis Winston is ready for the big time? The second is whether the defense has just suffered too many losses to be elite yet again? In terms of the second I am confident that the Seminoles will be just fine on D as they return 3 starters in the secondary from the nation’s top pass defense and have a number of players in other spots who played a lot last year even though they weren’t technically considered starters. As for Winston, all the reports about the new signal caller out of Tallahassee are very good and we could be seeing the emergence of the next great college QB. If he is steady and sometimes spectacular than the Noles will be knocking right on the door.

FSU is a solid play for the ACC champ and there is good value there but you must count on them winning at Clemson to claim a spot in the Championship Game. They face them in the middle of the season which might be enough time to answer the questions above and get ready for them.

Miami +575

The “U” may not be totally back but they are getting closer and closer every season and this is the year they exact some revenge. In QB Stephen Morris they have an accomplished senrior leader who will be directing an offense that returns 8 starters including the entire offensive line. That line will be blocking for RB Duke Johnson who broke Clinton Portis’ freshman rushing record while splitting time. On defense they will have to show some serious improvement as they were terrible last year. I think they can move that terrible into the mediocre category and start winning some of the close games they lost a year ago. The Coastal Division is not as deep but to win it they will have to take at least one of their road games against FSU or North Carolina.

I love the value with Miami. I think they can win the Coastal for real this season and in a one gamer against either Clemson or FSU I would given them a punchers chance, especially if it is FSU because everyone will be jacked up to see that one.

North Carolina +800

With all the talent that has flowed through Chapel Hill it is a shame they haven’t done more winning of late. In 2013 the Tar Heels will be a very dangerous team led by senior QB Bryn Renner who led an offense that score 40ppg last season – who knew. There are holes on offense for sure but with 6 starters returning there is strength too. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

North Carolina has been known for its defense lately but they were just middle of the pack in the conference and the nation last season. They have experience up front and at the back end but will be testing new linebackers. If they perform like the ones who have moved on to the NFL this team will be very good on defense yet again. They have a great chance to make a statement in their opener at South Carolina.

It is a very good payoff but not a bet I would make. North Carolina is definitely on an upswing and I like their coach but they have some very tough road games just to take the division..and would have to beat Miami at home as well.

Virginia Tech +800

Virginia Tech had a streak of 10+ victory seasons snapped last year and Frank Beamer actually got upset. They were probably better than their record last season but this year I think the Hokies are limited. Senior QB Logan Thomas proved not to be second coming of Cam Newton and the VT offense struggled all season long. Improvement seems inevitable but I don’t know if it will be enough. On defense this team could be very special though with 9 starters returning and some anger to motivate them. They will need to be extra special as they start the season against defending champs Alabama. If they can weather that one maybe they can challenge to represent the Coastal.

Scheduling is in the Hokies favour as they avoid both Clemson and FSU. They always struggle with Georgia Tech and this year they play them on the road to start ACC play. That game will tell us a lot about where this team is at.

Complete Atlantic Coast Conference Odds:

Clemson +175
Florida State +225
Miami +500
North Carolina +800
Virginia Tech +800
Georgia Tech +1200
Virginia +2500
Pittsburgh +3000
Boston College +5000
Syracuse +6000
Maryland +6000
NC State +7000
Wake Forest +8000
Duke +10000

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