2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: ACC Title Odds, Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: ACC Title Odds, Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: Although the ACC is one of the weaker conferences top to bottom in the country, it is also home to the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles. In fact, the Seminoles and the Clemson Tigers both reached and won BCS bowl games last season. Unfortunately, the current division alignment has both teams in the Atlantic Division, meaning only one of the two best teams has a shot at winning the ACC crown. Meanwhile, the Coastal Division winners have merely been placeholders in the conference title game rather than real opponents. It looks like it will be more of the same this year, and here is a closer look at the breakdown of the potential contenders in the ACC in 2014.

The Favorite

The defending national champion Florida State Seminoles will open the season as the No. 1 team in the country, and with 13 returning starters, including Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston, it’s easy to see why. In addition to Winston, running back Karlos Williams, receiver Rashad Green and tight end Nick O’Leary are also back, along with four offensive linemen. The defense is anchored by a talented secondary, but it isn’t quite as loaded as last year’s bunch. Throw in a very manageable schedule, and another ACC title seems like a near lock.

The Contenders

Although the Clemson Tigers remain one of the more talented teams in the ACC, this year’s bunch will be charged with the tough task of replacing quarterback Tajh Boyd and receiver Sammy Watkins. Cole Stoudt is slated to replace Boyd, but the receiving corps and backfield is filled with unproven, albeit talented, commodities. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Vic Beasley will anchor a solid unit, but the Tigers will likely need time to grow on offense, and road games against Georgia and Florida State in the first four weeks of the year will make that tough. In the end, Clemson will likely need the Seminoles to hit an unexpected bump in the road to be more than the second-best team in the division and the conference.

There are plusses and minuses on both sides of the ball for the Miami Hurricanes. Running back Duke Johnson and a solid offensive line give Miami a potent ground game, but an injury to quarterback Ryan Williams leaves a huge void under center. Defensively, the Hurricanes have some speed in the secondary and a solid linebacking corps, but Miami will have to find a consistent pass rush. In the end, the Hurricanes’ season comes down to quarterback play, but playing in the Coastal Division will give them a great chance to reach the conference title game.

The Sleeper

Although the Louisville Cardinals lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and head coach Charlie Strong from last year’s team, bringing back Bobby Petrino as head coach and his high-powered offensive system will help soften the blow. In a weak ACC, Petrino’s system alone will give the Cardinals a puncher’s chance, especially with talented offensive targets like receiver DeVante Parker available. The X-factor will be quarterback Will Gardner, and if he can provide solid play under center, this team could surprise.

Odds To Win The Atlantic Coast Conference
Boston College +15000
Clemson +1000
Duke +5000
Georgia Tech +2000
Florida State -350
Louisville +1200
Miami +500
North Carolina +800
North Carolina State +6000
Pittsburgh +5000
Syracuse +10000
Virginia +10000
Virginia Tech +800
Wake Forest +25000

Odds To Win The Atlantic Division
Boston College +7500
Clemson +500
Florida State -800
Louisville +500
North Carolina State +3000
Syracuse +5000
Wake Forest +12500

Odds To Win The Coastal Division
Duke +1100
Georgia Tech +800
Miami +150
North Carolina +350
Pittsburgh +2000
Virginia +5000
Virginia Tech +350