Fearless Predictions - ACC
By Brian Edwards
VegasInsider.com
Odds to win the 2012 ACC Championship
Dec. 1, 2012 from Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Florida State +135
Virginia Tech +250
Clemson +425
Miami, Florida +1200
Georgia Tech +1250
North Carolina +1350
North Carolina State +1450
Virginia +1900
Wake Forest +2300
Boston College +4200
Maryland +5800
Duke +8500
Florida State is the favorite and will undoubtedly have the ACC’s premier defense, but does a bettor really want to make a year-long wager on the Seminoles for a meager plus-135 payout? After all, they haven’t won an ACC title since 2005 and E.J. Manuel still hasn’t proven that he’s a championship-caliber quarterback.
Virginia Tech has been the only perennial Top-20 program from this league over the last decade and it probably has the ACC’s best coaching staff, not to mention a top-notch QB in Logan Thomas. Plus, the Hokies get the ‘Noles in Blacksburg.
When you’ve got QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammy Watkins on the roster, you know you’ve got a chance. But after giving up 70 points in an Orange Bowl loss to West Va., it’s crystal clear that Clemson’s defense needs a lot of work.
Mike London has Virginia on the rise and there’s hope in Raleigh that this could be N.C. State’s breakout year under Tom O’Brien.
However, the team most worthy of a longshot look has to be Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson might be the nation’s most underrated coach and he’s got his QB (Tevin Washington) his entire offensive line returning. Also, eight starters are back on defense.
Prediction: Virginia Tech
Sleeper: Georgia. Tech