2012 ACC Football Championship Odds and Predictions – Favorites and Sleepers

2012 College Football ACC Championship Odds and Predictions: Favorites and Sleepers – Last year, the Atlantic Coast Conference didn’t exactly have the type of season it was looking for. Preseason national title contender Florida State never got going, losing to Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma out of conference and dropping three games in ACC play. On the plus side, both Virginia Tech and the upstart conference champion Clemson Tigers made BCS bowl appearances. That being said, the Hokies fell to Michigan in the Sugar Bowl, and Clemson was on the receiving end of a 70-33 beatdown at the hands of West Virgina in the Orange Bowl. Overall, the depth of the conference is improving, but the ACC is still looking for a team to make a statement on the national level. Here is a look at some potential contenders for the conference crown for the 2012-13 college football season.

The Favorites – 2012 College Football ACC Championship Odds and Predictions

With nine starters back on a defense that ranked in the top five in most categories last season, this could be the year the Florida State Seminoles finally return to prominence. The offensive line is a little inexperienced, but quarterback E.J. Manuel is now a senior and should be finally ready to live up to his potential. He has plenty of talent surrounding him at the skill positions, and the Seminoles were just a play or two away from something special last season. Other than a 10-point loss to Oklahoma, FSU lost three of its four games by five points or less last season. The defense will be elite, and an improved Manuel will help Florida State cruise at an Atlantic Division title.

The Virginia Tech Hokies have been one of the most consistent programs in the country for the last decade. Since the ACC went to two divisions seven years ago, the Hokies have made the title game five times, including four times in the last five years. Defense has been the calling card for Virginia Tech during its run of success, and this year will be no exception. Nine starters are back from a unit that ranked seventh last season, and the entire front seven remains intact. The offense is young, but with dynamic playmaker Logan Thomas at quarterback, the Hokies will be able to provide enough support for their stout defense. Another Coastal Division title seems inevitable.

The Dark Horses – 2012 College Football ACC Championship Odds and Predictions

Although they were embarrassed in the Orange Bowl, the Clemson Tigers deserve a lot of credit for winning the ACC last year. At least offensively, this year’s team is capable of a repeat performance. Quarterback Tajh Boyd, receiver Sammy Watkins and running back Andre Ellington are an explosive trio, and the Tigers should score plenty of points. That being said, the defense is still a work in progress. In addition to the 70-point debacle in the Orange Bowl, Clemson struggled to compete against defensive-minded teams like South Carolina and N.C. State last year. Unless the defense improves, the offense is only going to be able to carry the Tigers so far.

Tom O’Brien took a lot of heat last year for letting Russell Wilson walk away from the program, but a strong finish to the year for the N.C. State Wolfpack has the coach looking good. O’Brien’s bunch won six of its last eight games, and instead of having to break in a new quarterback, Mike Glennon returns as starter with a year of experience under his belt. The entire secondary returns, as well, coming off a year when the Wolfpack led the country with 27 interceptions. Cornerback David Amerson was responsible for 13 of those picks, and he is back as the leader of what should be an excellent defense. Assuming Glennon and the offense improve, N.C. State could make some noise in the ACC. At the very least, they should be able to put a scare in the conference frontrunners.

The Sleeper – 2012 College Football ACC Championship Odds and Predictions

With all the instability of the Butch Davis era in the past, the North Carolina Tarheels can finally focus on football, and there is reason to be optimistic. New coach Larry Fedora has a reputation for creating high-powered offenses, and he inherits an excellent offensive line and a running back in Giovani Bernard that had a tremendous season as a redshirt freshman last year. Meanwhile, a solid defense still has plenty of NFL-caliber athletes left from the program’s strong recruiting classes of past years. Playing stingy defense and running the ball has always been a recipe for success. If the Tarheels are able to adopt Fedora’s offensive system sooner rather than later, North Carolina could make some serious noise as early as this season.

Odds to win the Atlantic Coast Conference
7501 Boston College +5500
7502 Clemson +500
7503 Duke +8500
7504 Florida State -125
7505 Georgia Tech +1500
7506 Maryland +8500
7507 Miami +800
7508 North Carolina +1500
7509 North Carolina State +2000
7510 Virginia +1500
7511 Virginia Tech +300
7512 Wake Forest +3500

Odds to win Atlantic Division
7521 Boston College +2000
7522 Clemson +300
7523 Florida State -400
7524 Maryland +2000
7525 NC State +800
7526 Wake Forest +1500

Odds to win Coastal Division
7563 Duke +4000
7564 Georgia Tech +600
7565 Miami +500
7566 North Carolina +350
7567 Virginia +650
7568 Virginia Tech +120

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