2023-24 ACC Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Expert Picks
The landscape of college football will never be the same after 2023 is completed. Oklahoma and Texas will be joining the SEC, the Pac-12 is splintering with some programs joining the Big Ten and others attempting to fill the void of the departing schools in the Big 12. One conference that made no changes to its membership is the ACC. However, all is not well there, as Florida State has not-so-quietly discussed its desire to move elsewhere. That may not be easy to do, however, with the language of the ACC's "Grant of Rights". The schools remain together, but all is not well in the land of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
While no teams were added to the illustrious ACC, the format of the league was drastically altered. In a nod to yesterday, they elected to abolish the divisional system and have all 14 teams together and the top two teams at the end of the regular season play for the conference championship. I guarantee the Big Ten East wishes they could adopt such a format. I see the merit in this system but also the flaws, as with 14 teams, there are a few schools that won't play each other. We will see controversy the first year that a team makes it to the ACC Championship without playing Clemson or Florida State.
Listed below are Doc's 2023 ACC conference predictions (with odds to win the conference/National Championship in parentheses).
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The Chalk A: Clemson (+150/ +1800)
Expectations are high again with head coach Dabo Swinney returning 7 starters on offense and former #1 recruit Cade Klubnik getting his turn to be a full-time starter. Great QB coaching must run in Lincoln Riley's family, as his brother Garrett comes over from his magician's job at TCU to turn Klubnik into the next Trevor Lawerence. The Tigers get Florida State and Notre Dame at home, having only to travel to South Beach to play the Miami Hurricanes. Clemson has a season win total of 10, and it's very conceivable they go undefeated. Over the total is almost guaranteed, and I would even do an Alt-Over 11.5 wins. They will be playing in the ACC Championship in December for a CFP berth.
The Chalk B: Florida State (+150/ +1800)
This is easily the best squad at Tallahassee since Jimbo Fisher left for A&M, and they'll still be underdogs in two of the first four games (LSU and Clemson). QB Jordan Travis is from the same FSU QB mold as past greats, and he'll have seven returning offensive starters around him, including the leading rusher and receiver. The offensive line has, between them, 206 career starts, making them one of the most experienced college offensive lines ever. They may be a better team than Clemson and still finish behind them because of a much tougher schedule (LSU and Florida). The toughness of their schedule, and not a lack of talent, makes going over their 10-win total a tough bet to make but should make the ACC Championship Game for a rematch against Clemson.
The Challenger: North Carolina (+900/ +10000)
In no other conference is there such a significant drop-off from the first two teams to the rest of the pack as the ACC. UNC returns 17 starters, including QB Drake Maye, who is being touted as a Heisman hopeful. He lost his top 2 targets at wideout. However, with a backfield completely intact, that should allow the receivers to develop. What needs to develop ASAP is the defense that gave up 30.8 PPG. Unlike the majority of FBS schools, UNC has a very tough nonconference slate. Their win total is at 8.5, and I lean towards the over as I see a 9-3 record.
The X-Factor: Miami (+1400/ +20000)
Last year was an extreme disappointment for the "U", who saw the 2021 ACC OROY QB Tyler Van Dyke suffer some injuries and fail to improve as was expected. Many are now overlooking the 'Canes, and that is when they can be the most dangerous. Nineteen starters return from last year's disappointing squad, and they should have a chip on their shoulder. They host Texas A&M in the 2nd game of the year, which could be a statement victory. Even if they don't win that, going above 7.5 wins is a good bet.
The Poser: Pittsburgh (+2500/ +20000)
Pitt won the ACC title in 2021 and fooled people into thinking they were on the rise as a program. Having a franchise QB (Kenny Pickett, Pitt's all-time leading passer, now starting for the Steelers) will do that for you. They return 7 starters on offense, the first and second-string QBs are transfers, and they lost their leading rusher, receiver, and last year's starting QB. They got lucky in their ACC schedule, dodging Clemson, Miami, and NC State, but I still don't think that will help them over the 7-win total for the season.
Portal Prince: Louisville (+1000/ +30000)
From snagging Jeff Brohm away from Purdue, to getting Cal-transfer QB Jack Plummer and Georgia St-transfer WR Jamari Thrash (along with 3 other WRs), the Cardinals were the darlings of the transfer portal. Brohm, the prodigal son of Louisville, is an offensive guru who will immediately transform the Cardinals into a high-scoring machine. The defense brings 7 starters back, and Louisville could be the dark horse to challenge Clemson and FSU.
The Others:
North Carolina State (+2000/ +30000)
While the Wolfpack have to replace a lot of their offensive production, head coach Dave Doeren is a master at getting the most out of his players. A favorable schedule gives them a great shot at going over their 7-game win total.
Duke (+3000/ +30000)
The Blue Devils had a magical season last year, going 8-4 in the regular season and then beating UCF in their bowl game. Head coach Mike Elko won ACC Coach of the Year, but this season will show what he's made of. Eighteen starters return, but the schedule adds Clemson, FSU, Louisville and NC State. Their win total is at six. And while it might be difficult, I think they get there.
Wake Forest (+5000/ +30000)
The Demon Deacons QB transferred to Notre Dame, and they lost half of their starters from a squad that was a respectable 8-5. Their win total of 6.5 will be halfway won in an easy nonconference, but getting the other half in the conference will be the tough part. I don't see it happening.
Syracuse (+6600/ +50000)
Returning QB Garrett Shrader changes offensive coordinators, but it was an in-house promotion, so that should smooth the offensive schemes and verbiage. A 6.5-game win total is just about right for a squad that went 7-6 last season, and I see them going over that mark again.
Virginia Tech (+10000/ +30000)
Second-year head coach Brent Pry will find himself on the hot seat if he has a repeat of last year's horrific 3-8 campaign. The Hokies lost to Old Dominion and were 10-point underdogs to Liberty, a first-year FBS school. They did, however, upset the Flames and hope to build off that. They'll win more than 3 but not more than the 5.5 total. Take the under.
Boston College (+15000/ +50000)
The bottom of the ACC was bad last year, as BC was 3-9 as well. They bring back 15 starters and hope their defense can drastically improve the 30.3 PPG they allowed. We hope so, too, but it probably won't be enough to go above their 5.5-game win total.
Georgia Tech (+15000/ +50000)
The Yellow Jackets fired their coach mid-season last year, and Brent Key, the interim, did well enough to remove the "interim" from his title. Unfortunately, there was massive turnover on the roster and that makes their 4.5-game win total a fantastic under bet.
Virginia ( +20000/ +50000)
The Cavaliers will just be happy to play again after the tragic mass shooting that left 3 of their players killed at the end of last season. Unfortunately, they'll be doing so with a team that is sorely undermanned. Their win total is set to 3.5, and I hope they go over but would bet against it.
Projected Order of Finish
- Clemson
- Florida State
- Miami
- Louisville
- North Carolina
- N.C. State
- Pitt
- Duke
- Wake Forest
- Syracuse
- Virginia Tech
- Boston College
- Georgia Tech
- Virginia
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