College Football Betting Preview 2014: A Look at the ACC With Carrie Stroup
Carrie Stroup here and we are getting plenty excited over here about football. Today we have your College Football betting preview for 2014 and the ACC with all odds courtesy of our good friends at Sportsbook.ag, now entering their 17th football season.
To get you prepared for the upcoming college football season, we continue our run of all FBS conference previews over the next several weeks. Next up is the ACC, which replaced Maryland with Louisville to retain the conference's 14 members for this season.
Odds to Win ACC
29-to-100: Florida State
8-to-1: North Carolina
17-to-2: Clemson
12-to-1: Virginia Tech
18-to-1: Louisville
20-to-1: Miami (FL)
30-to-1: Georgia Tech
45-to-1: Pittsburgh
55-to-1: Duke
110-to-1: Syracuse
110-to-1: NC State
110-to-1: Virginia
225-to-1: Boston College
500-to-1: Wake Forest
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 14-0 (9-0 in ACC)
ATS Record: 11-3 (79%)
Over/Under: 10-4
Points Scored: 51.6 PPG (2nd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 12.1 PPG (1st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 5/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
The defending champs scored 51.6 PPG and have an all-senior offensive line to protect Heisman QB Jameis Winston (10.6 YPA, 40 TD, 10 INT). RB Karlos Williams (8.0 YPC, 11 TD), WR Rashad Greene (1,128 rec yds, 9 TD) and TE Nick O’Leary (7 rec TD) are the star skill-position players. The defense lost some superstars, but is filled with playmakers like DE Mario Edwards (3.5 sacks), LB Terrance Smith (59 tackles) and DB Jalen Ramsey (49 tackles).
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC)
ATS Record: 7-5-1 (58%)
Over/Under: 4-9
Points Scored: 32.7 PPG (43rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.5 PPG (43rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
UNC puts up points in Larry Fedora’s frenetic-paced offense guided by much-improved QB Marquise Williams (7.8 YPA, 15 TD, 6 INT). RB T.J. Logan (5.7 YPC) heads a stellar group of backs while WR Quinshad Davis (730 rec yds, 10 TD) and Bug Howard (4 rec TD) provide reliable targets. The secondary shines brightest in this aggressive defensive unit. DE Norkeithus Otis (7.5 sacks) and LB Darius Lipford (6 TFL) pace an underwhelming front seven.
CLEMSON TIGERS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-2 (7-1 in ACC)
ATS Record: 7-5-1 (58%)
Over/Under: 8-5
Points Scored: 40.2 PPG (T-8th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 22.2 PPG (24th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 80/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
There will be many fresh faces for Clemson’s offense that posted more than 40 points and 500 yards per game last year. Filling the huge void of departed QB Tajh Boyd and WRs Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant will be heady 6-foot-5 QB Cole Stoudt (72% completions, 8 TD, 1 INT career), and a highly-skilled wideouts WRs Mike Williams (20 rec, 3 TD) and Adam Humphries (483 rec yds). Top RB Rod McDowell and his 1,025 rushing yards are gone, leaving the ground game to RBs Zac Brooks (5.1 YPC), D.J. Howard (3.7 YPC) and freshman Wayne Gallman. The defensive front seven will once again look to DE Vic Beasley (13 sacks, 23 TFL) and LB Stephone Anthony (86 tackles, 4.5 sacks), while the secondary is solid, but unspectacular.
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VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (5-3 in ACC)
ATS Record: 4-7-2 (36%)
Over/Under: 5-8
Points Scored: 22.5 PPG (100th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 19.3 PPG (11th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 200/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
Texas Tech transfer QB Michael Brewer (7.6 YPA, 5 TD, 0 INT career) will likely replace Logan Thomas and has strong weapons in WRs Willie Byrn (660 rec yds), Demitri Knowles (641 rec yds) and Joshua Stanford (640 rec yds). RB Trey Edmunds (675 rush yds, 10 TD) tries to jump-start a weak ground game. The defense is inexperienced, but very fast. CBs Kendall Fuller (6 INT) and Brandon Facyson (5 INT), and DE Dadi Nicolas (4 sacks) can all play.
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 12-1 (7-1 in AAC)
ATS Record: 6-7 (46%)
Over/Under: 3-10
Points Scored: 35.2 PPG (25th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 12.2 PPG (2nd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 300/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
New Head Coach: Bobby Petrino
New QB Will Gardner (32-of-37, 542 yds, 4 TD in spring game) will try to operate new head coach Bobby Petrino’s complex offense. WR DeVante Parker (885 rec yds, 12 TD) is a star and RB Michael Dyer (5.1 YPC) had a huge spring. The defense lost a ton, but DE Lorenzo Mauldin (9.5 sacks), LB James Burgess (72 tackles) and CB Terrell Floyd (4 INT) can really play.
MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (5-3 in ACC)
ATS Record: 5-8 (39%)
Over/Under: 7-6
Points Scored: 33.8 PPG (33rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 26.8 PPG (66th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 200/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Miami needs to replace QB Stephen Morris, and the front-runner is Kansas transfer QB Jake Heaps (5.4 YPA, 8 TD, 10 INT). The offense revolves around emerging WR Stacy Coley (591 rec yds, 7 TD) and star RB Duke Johnson (920 rush yds, 6.3 YPC), whose broken ankle has healed. DE Anthony Chickillo (3.5 sacks) and CB Tracy Howard (4 INT) are future NFL players. Defensive team leader LB Denzel Perryman (108 tackles) will move to OLB this year.
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GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (5-3 in ACC)
ATS Record: 5-8 (39%)
Over/Under: 8-5
Points Scored: 35.1 PPG (26th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 22.8 PPG (T-29th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 1,000/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
Tech’s offense has plenty of questions with speedy QB Justin Thomas (7.1 YPC) who struggles with option reads. Three starting O-Linemen are gone, and the only two reliable skill-position players are WR DeAndre Smelter (4 rec TD) and RB Zach Laskey (485 rush yds, 7 TD). The defense doesn’t return much, but NT Adam Gotsis (14.5 TFL) and LB Quayshawn Nealy (66 tackles) come back, as do injured DBs Isaiah Johnson and Jamal Golden.
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (3-5 in ACC)
ATS Record: 5-8 (39%)
Over/Under: 6-
Points Scored: 26.3 PPG (T-80th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 27.2 PPG (70th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 1,000/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Dual-threat QB Chad Voytik (11 career FBS passes) brings some excitement to an offense that struggled to score last year. Star WR Tyler Boyd (1,174 rec yds, 7 TD) will need help to keep double-teams away. RB James Conner (799 rush yds, 8 TD) ran for 229 yards in last year’s bowl win. The Panthers must force more turnovers, but the D-Line will miss DT Aaron Donald. LB Todd Thomas (72 tackles) and CB Lafayette Pitts (4 PD) are the top returnees.
DUKE BLUE DEVILS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-4 (6-3 in ACC)
ATS Record: 11-3 (79%
Over/Under: 6-7-1
Points Scored: 32.8 PPG (41st in FBS)
Points Allowed: 26.6 PPG (T-64th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 1,000/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Erratic QB Anthony Boone (7.0 YPA, 13 TD, 13 INT) will try to lead Duke back to a bowl by continually feeding superstar WR Jamison Crowder (1,360 rec yds, 8 TD). The Blue Devils will continue to run often with RBs Josh Snead (651 rush yds) and Shaquille Powell (5.5 YPC). Duke gave up gobs of yards (418 YPG), but had 18 INT. The secondary will be a strength led by S Jeremy Cash (121 tackles, 4 INT) The LBs are decent, but the D-Line will struggle.
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SYRACUSE ORANGE
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC)
ATS Record: 9-4 (69%)
Over/Under: 6-7
Points Scored: 22.7 PPG (99th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 25.4 PPG (56th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
The Orange will play more up-tempo with QB Terrel Hunt (500 rush yds, 6.0 YPA, 17 total TD) and an O-Line returning four starters. The RB position is deep, but WR Ashton Broyld (452 rec yds) is the lone proven wideout. FS Durell Eskridge (78 tackles, 4 INT) stands out in a defense strong on the outside with DEs Robert Welsh (4 sacks) and Micah Robinson (5.5 TFL), as well as OLBs Cam Lynch (69 tackles, 4 sacks) and Dyshawn Davis (48 tackles),
NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9 (0-8 in ACC)
ATS Record: 3-8-1 (27%)
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 22.8 PPG (98th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 30.2 PPG (T-84th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Florida transfer QB Jacoby Brissett (6.1 YPA, 3 TD, 4 INT career) is tasked with turning around a program that was 0-8 in ACC play. RB Shadrach Thornton (768 rush yds) and WR Bryan Underwood (382 rec yds) are both solid, and freshman WR Bo Hines shined this spring. NC State will play a base nickel defense to combat all the spread offenses on the schedule. CB Juston Burris (6 PD) headlines a strong secondary, but the front seven needs work
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10 (0-8 in ACC)
ATS Record: 6-6 (50%)
Over/Under: 9-3
Points Scored: 19.8 PPG (110th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 33.3 PPG (99th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
After a 2-10 season, it appears QB Greyson Lambert (4.5 YPA) will replace QB David Watford (5.2 YPA, 8 TD, 15 INT). But this offense revolves around RB Kevin Parks (1,360 total yds, 12 TD) who will miss OLs Morgan Moses and Luke Bowanko. WR Darius Jennings (340 rec yds) leads a young receiving corps. Virginia’s injury-riddled defense is now healthy and still has standouts CB Anthony Harris (FBS-high 8 INT) and LB Henry Coley (90 tackles).
BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC)
ATS Record: 7-6 (54%)
Over/Under: 9-4
Points Scored: 27.7 PPG (T-70th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 28.9 PPG (78th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
The Eagles are trying to find replacements for their three best offensive players from last year’s bowl season -- RB Andre Williams, WR Alex Amidon and QB Chase Rettig. BC brought in Florida transfer QB Tyler Murphy (6.6 YPA, 6 TD, 5 INT) to run an offense that will have to be propelled by sophomore RB Myles Willis (5.8 YPC) and a committee of rushers, as no returning wideout caught even 15 passes last year. The Eagles are in much better shape on defense, especially with the entire secondary intact led by DB Dominique Williams (65 tackles). LB Steven Daniels (88 tackles) is a versatile backer, and OLB Josh Keyes (3.5 sacks) will help a pass rush that needs talented DEs Malachi Moore and Mehdi Abdesmad (2 sacks) to step up.
WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 4-8 (2-6 in ACC)
ATS Record: 5-7 (42%)
Over/Under: 3-8-1
Points Scored: 18.3 PPG (116th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.1 PPG (38th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
New Head Coach: Dave Clawson
The offense is a mess for new coach Dave Clawson who has four candidates to replace QB Tanner Price. The RB corps is inexperienced and WR Tyree Harris (183 rec yds) is the team’s top wideout. Senior CBs Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel (3 INT each) are an excellent duo, and LB Brandon Chubb (87 tackles) mans the middle well enough for his OLBs to blitz often.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
