The ACC is going to be a wild party this season. Sure, Clemson is the overwhelming favorite, but North Carolina and Miami are dark horses in the race for the conference title.
Oh, and don’t forget about Florida State and Louisville lurking in the shadows if the Tigers should stumble. The Seminoles have the athletes, while the Cardinals showed vast improvement last season.
With week 1 nearing for college football fans, there’s not much in the way of competitive games. That’s OK, because we go by the spread at Against The Chalk.
Here’s the top game I’m exploiting in week 1 in the ACC.
Georgia Tech (-3.5) vs. Boston College
We get a conference matchup right away in Ireland between an extreme contrast in styles. Georgia Tech didn’t play much defense last year, while Boston College played a similar amount on the offensive end.
Both return this season after dismal records last year of 3-9. But while I get pretty much a carbon copy of last year’s unit from Boston College, with little expectation from the offense and a solid defense, I get real talent from the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech was supposed compete for an ACC crown last season. It didn’t, thanks to a disappointing year from the rushing attack with proven quarterback Justin Thomas at the helm. The defense also didn’t create turnovers, which it did in 2014, allowing Georgia Tech to win the Orange Bowl.
Last year just got away from the Yellow Jackets. They weren’t able to weather the storm and couldn’t meet expectations. That won’t happen again this year under Paul Johnson. The offensive line will make a massive jump from last year, and especially in this game, keep an eye on Georgia Tech making a statement in the early going. The team was young last year and will bring a year of experience with the triple-option attack. That matters and I’m expecting that talent to show through in week 1 against the Eagles.
I’m booking the Yellow Jackets in a big way in week 1. — Go chalk with Georgia Tech
Other ACC lines
Picks in bold
UNC Charlotte at Louisville (-38.5)
Tulane at Wake Forest (-17.5)
Clemson (-7.5) vs. Auburn
North Carolina at Georgia (-2.5)
Mississippi at Florida State (-4)
