2024 College Football Preview: FSU, Clemson Lead
A Competitive Field Per ACC Regular Season Win Totals
Were it not for the broken leg that Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis suffered late in the 2023 season, then the ACC likely would have had an entrant in the College Football Playoff and — possibly — a national champion.
But, it wasn’t meant to be and even though the Seminoles still wound up winning the ACC Championship Game, it was still a big disappointment for the conference which has gone on hard times in recent years. Still, with the new season only a few months away, it’s a good time to peek at the 2024 ACC win totals for what should be a hard-fought, evenly-matched campaign.
- Unsurprisingly, Florida State (+280) and Clemson (+310) are the conference favorites with teams like Miami (+450) and Louisville (+600) relatively close behind.
The NCAA football scores at the top of the conference should be much more competitive this season without any truly dominant team on paper.
Expert Pick: Subscribe below to get our Premium Insights!
Expert Pick: Subscribe below to get our Premium Insights!Let’s get into the win totals:
Boston College: 5 wins (over +105/under -125)
The Boston College Eagles went 7-6 last season and return dual-threat starting quarterback Thomas Castellano, running back Kye Robichaux, and wide receiver Lewis Bond but the sportsbooks expect them to win two fewer games.
It also could be due to Boston College’s relatively tough non-conference NCAA football schedule with games against Michigan State and Missouri.
Clemson: 9.5 wins (over +135/under -160)
Clemson Tigers went 9-4 in 2023 and has a bunch of returning, namely Cade Klubnik under center and Phil Mafah at running back along with a trio of key receivers in Tyler Brown, Antonio Williams, and Troy Stellato.
Will Shipley’s graduation hurts because he was a useful multi-purpose weapon but the Tigers still have a lot of offensive firepower. It’ll be tough for them to get to 10 wins. And yet, the Over has an enticing value at +135.
Duke: 6 wins (over +100/under -120)
Duke has to start over on offense with new coach Manny Diaz as Riley Leonard is gone and Texas transfer Maalik Murphy is penciled in as the starter, although backup Grayson Loftis returns after doing well in a part-time role last season. Also, leading rusher Jordan Waters is now on N.C. State.
The Duke Blue Devils won eight games in 2023; that would be a lofty goal for this season yet a soft non-conference schedule makes it possible to hit the over on the 2024 ACC win totals.
Florida State: 9.5 wins (over -110/under -110)
The sportsbooks are expecting a steep drop-off for the Florida State Seminoles a year after they went 13-1, won the conference, and were an unfortunate tackle away from being one of college football’s final four.
Mike Norvell brought in a ton of transfers, none bigger than former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagelelei to replace Travis. Also, the Seminoles have former Alabama running back Roydell Williams and wide receiver Malik Benson bolstering a good position player group.
Georgia Tech: 5 wins (over -120/under -110)
If you’re making NCAAF picks for today, consider the Georgia Tech under. Brent Key’s team went 7-6 last season and returns quarterback Haynes King, leading rush Jamal Haynes, and top pass-catcher Malik Rutherford. But it hasn’t done much to improve a defense that gave up nearly 30 points per game and was 97th in FBS in scoring defense.
That will be the Yellow Jackets’ main problem.
Louisville: 8.5 wins (over +110/under -130)
The Louisville Cardinals had a great 2023 campaign, winning 10 games and losing to Florida State in the ACC title game — albeit against backup signal-caller Brock Glenn.
The offense looks completely different now, with transfers expected to start at quarterback, running back, multiple wide receiver spots, tight end, and on three-fifths of the offensive line.
There are a bunch of defensive newcomers as well, which explains the lower win total projection. It’s just hard to know what to make of this group right now.
Miami: 9 wins (over -125/under +105)
Miami was a disappointment last year, going just 7-6 despite having high expectations under head coach Mario Cristobal.
Now, they have a new quarterback (Cam Ward from Washington State) and an exciting No. 3 wide receiver in Samuel Brown who — together with returners Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George — gives the Miami Hurricanes a scary group of pass-catchers.
Miami should put up a ton of points so taking over nine wins could be the move.
N.C. State: 8.5 wins (over -110/under -110)
Dave Doeren’s group went 9-4 last season and, based on the 2024 ACC win totals, they’re expected to be just as good this year.
The NC State Wolfpack will have a lot of new faces on offense, including the aforementioned Waters in the backfield, none bigger than Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall.
McCall’s 2023 campaign was limited due to a head injury but he was incredible his freshman through junior seasons. Huge pickup for N.C. State.
North Carolina: 7.5 wins (over -110/under -110)
North Carolina Tar Heels went 8-5 in 2023 but lost two major pieces to the NFL, quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver Devontez Walker.
Mack Brown got former LSU and Texas A&M lefty Max Johnson to run his offense so it’ll be interesting to see how he does as a full-time No. 1 for the first time in his career. He’ll have plenty of returning weapons, namely running back Omarion Hampton.
Pittsburgh: 5.5 wins (over -110/under -110)
Pittsburgh Panthers was dreadful last year, winning just three games with one of the worst offenses in FBS.
Quarterbacks Christian Veilleux and Phil Jurkovec are gone so it should be redshirt junior Nate Yarnell’s time to shine with a position player group and offensive line that hasn’t changed a ton.
Expecting a three-win increase from three to six might be a bit ambitious, though.
Syracuse: 7 wins (over -110/under -110)
Syracuse Orange made an interesting hire to replace Dino Babers, going with Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown who is a Northeast native but has no head-coaching experience.
He’ll need to revamp a below-average offense that only went 6-7. Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord is the new quarterback after a very good season leading the Buckeyes. He’s the key to the Orange’s turnaround.
Virginia: 4.5 wins (over +100/under -120)
Tony Elliott has had a rough first two years with the Cavaliers, winning just three games apiece in 2022 and 2023.
But, with returning quarterback Anthony Colandrea and wide receiver Malachi Fields (as well as transfer pass-catchers Chris Tyree from Notre Dame and Trell Harris from Kent State), Virginia Cavaliers should be able to improve even with star receiver Malik Washington in the NFL now.
Winning five games with a soft non-conference schedule is definitely possible.
Virginia Tech: 8 wins (over -110/under -110)
Virginia Tech went 7-6 in and if there is any year for the Hokies to win eight or more games, it’s 2024.
Pretty much every key offensive starter is back and most of them have plenty of experience under their belts.
This is a very veteran group that has the talent to be one of the better teams in the conference, especially with dangerous dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones running the show.
Wake Forest: 4.5 wins (over -160/under +135)
Last but not least is Wake Forest, which went 4-8 last season with an anemic offense.
The hope is that transfer quarterback Hank Bachmeier (from Boise State and more recently Louisiana Tech) can solidify a quarterback position in flux since Sam Hartman left for Notre Dame.
It has been a few years since Bachmeier won seven games at Boise State but he has been around the block and has experienced success before.
For free NCAAF picks today, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
