2021 ACC Football Odds Preview
Is this the year someone finally unseats the Clemson Tigers in the ACC? The oddsmakers don’t think so.
In the latest ACC championship futures odds at Bovada Sportsbook, Clemson is a heavy favorite at -800. Last season the Tigers won their sixth straight ACC title by getting past the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game. They won’t have to worry about Notre Dame this year as the Irish’s one-year ride in the ACC during the pandemic is over.
Clemson favored to win seventh straight ACC crown
What Clemson will have to worry about is losing quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. Trying to carry the load with Lawrence’s departure will be DJ Uiagalelei. He’s incredibly talented and could follow Lawrence as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in the near future.
If Clemson’s new-look offense does go through some growing pains, the defense may be able to bail them out. Clemson boasted the top defense in the conference last season and has nine starters returning.
After the Tigers, the odds on the ACC futures board increase significantly with the North Carolina Tar Heels at +800, the Miami Hurricanes at +900 and the Virginia Tech Hokies at +3000.
Tigers have been dominant vs ACC Coastal rivals
All three play in the ACC Coastal and most likely would have to go through Clemson to claim the conference title. That could be easier said than done. Clemson has won three in a row against Miami and last lost to the Hurricanes in 2010; the Tigers have won four straight against North Carolina and last lost to the Tar Heels in 2010. They’ve won six in a row against Virginia Tech, with their last loss to the Hokies coming in 2007.
North Carolina is coming off a solid season in 2020 and expects even more this season from quarterback Sam Howell. The Tar Heels backfield is loaded with talent, including Ty Chandler, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, and maybe most importantly the North Carolina offensive line should have five starters returning.
King’s recovery key to Hurricanes’ prospects
Miami’s success this season could depend on how well QB D’Eriq King bounces back from a knee injury. He suffered a torn ACL in late December in the Hurricanes’ bowl game but is reportedly back to 100 percent and expected to play in their season opener. King put up some big numbers in his first year in Miami last year and should dazzle again if healthy.
Virginia Tech had a stellar offense last season that averaged 440 yards and 31 points per game. However, a porous defense allowed 448 yards and 32 points per game, which explains why they were 5-6 on the season. The Hokies will have a new starting QB this season in Braxton Burmeister but with seven returning starters on offense, they should continue to put up points. They’ll still need the defense to show up, though.