ACC Football Predictions: Clemson a Shaky Favorite in Final Year of Divisions

This fall should be an exciting season in ACC country. The 2022 college football season will be the last year where the ACC plays on its current model, with its football schools divided into two conferences: the Atlantic and the Coastal. 

Navigating the conference NCAAF odds requires determining who is viable to win their division first.

All that will be gone after this season as the ACC moves to a divisionless Big 12 model.

Given the pending shift for 2023, this season of ACC football should prove more memorable than usual. 

Before I hone in on a bet, let’s look at the odds.

ACC Championship Odds

Clemson Football Betting Odds Preview

At the BetMGM online sportsbook, Clemson is currently the betting favorite to win the ACC at -145.

Like most conferences, the ACC goes through dynastic periods. 

Virginia Tech appeared in five of seven ACC championship games from 2005-11.

Florida State had a 3-year run from 2012-14 that included three ACC trophies, two national championship appearances and one BCS title. 

This year, the question is clear: Are we still in the Clemson dynasty? Or is Dabo Swinney on a downward trajectory?

Clemson won six straight ACC championships from 2015-2020 before missing out on last year’s title game. Pitt beat Wake Forest, 45-21.

Both the college football betting odds and the preseason media poll have anointed Clemson as the favorite, but that may be because someone has to be the favorite, and Clemson has had the most recent historical success.

Something similar is happening in the Big 12, where Oklahoma is the favorite despite losing massive gobs of offensive talent – including their brilliant offensive head coach.

Bettors who believe Clemson is likely to stage a comeback this season can buy a dynastic program to win a weak ACC at a great price. This is a quintessential buy-low opportunity. 

Clemson – far from being irrelevant last year, as some bettors seem to remember it – was only a 2OT loss away from playing in last year’s conference championship, anyway.

The case against Clemson this year is simple. There’s still lots of talent – especially on the defensive line – but Clemson’s long-time defensive coordinator Brent Venables has left for Oklahoma.

Last year’s offensive coordinator, Tony Elliott, headed up the interstate to become the head coach at UVA.

Is Clemson’s offensive talent enough to overcome a new coaching staff underneath Swinney? This roster does not include a vintage class of playmakers at running back and receiver compared to what Clemson has had historically. As for DJ Uiagalelei, he’s a pretty clear step back from Heisman contenders of the past, like Trevor Lawrence or Deshaun Watson.

ACC Football Preseason Rankings

Who Votes on the ACC Football Preseason Rankings?

A group of 164 ACC media members voted to determine this year’s official 2022 preseason football rankings. 

Who Is the Favorite to Finish Last in the ACC This Season?

Duke was voted to finish last in the Coastal Division of the ACC and has 750-to-1 odds to win the ACC at BetMGM. 

A $5 bet on Dukes would yield $3,750 if the Blue Devils won this year’s ACC championship. Something to consider if you’re into online sports betting.

Duke has lost 13 straight ACC games.

ACC Football Predictions: Underdogs to Consider in the ACC Championship Odds Market

If Clemson doesn’t look like an attractive bet in the ACC championship odds market, here are a few other contenders to consider:

• Miami is second in the college football odds table at +600 and for good reason. New head coach Mario Cristobal has assembled a top-tier staff, plus a host of new playmakers via the transfer portal.  
• NC State (+700) beat Clemson last year and has won more games in the last five years than any other ACC school not coached by Swinney. 
• Pittsburgh (+900) is the reigning champion, and while it must replace its NFL quarterback (drafted in the first round) and its top receiver (transferred to USC), it still has a wealth of other offensive playmakers on the roster.