Week 0 of College Football is almost here, and ACC teams are ready to begin a challenging season. Seventeen strong programs bring fierce competition and storylines to Labor Day weekend and beyond. Multiple ACC squads look to rebound from last year and target a playoff bid in 2025. Every roster returns hungry for a championship shot in this expanded and competitive league. Let’s dive into the 2025 ACC season preview and highlight the best futures bets for college football bettors this year.
Clemson captured the ACC crown by edging SMU 34-31 in a thrilling championship game in Charlotte. Cade Klubnik led the Tigers with four touchdown passes and earned Finals MVP honors for his clutch performance. SMU stunned the league by reaching the final in their first ACC season, powered by a perfect conference record. Eleven ACC teams earned bowl bids, but the conference finished only 2-11 in postseason games, a disappointing showing.
For 2025, Clemson enters as the early favorite, driven by returning stars and a battle-tested coaching staff. SMU will look to build on their breakout campaign with an experienced roster hungry for redemption. Miami and Louisville headline a deep group of contenders seeking playoff runs and major upsets. Expect the ACC race to deliver fierce competition, emerging stars, and playoff implications all autumn.
College Football 2025: ACC Preview and Best Bets
Odds to Win 2025 ACC Conference
Clemson +110
Miami Florida +390
Louisville +700
SMU +900
Georgia Tech +1500
Duke +2500
Florida State +3100
NC State +4000
Pittsburgh +4300
North Carolina +4500
Virginia Tech +4500
Boston College +6500
Syracuse +8000
California +12500
Virginia +12500
Wake Forest +30000
Stanford +30000
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Over 4.5 Wins (+116)
I often believe the betting market is usually accurate, but this time I find myself disagreeing with the odds. Wake Forest boasts an upgraded coaching staff working with a roster built for immediate success. Key additions include transfer linemen to protect athletic quarterback Robby Ashford and complement big receivers plus a dependable backfield. The roster is transfer-heavy, but if chemistry develops quickly, this group is capable of winning meaningful games.
Virginia Cavaliers Over 6.5 Wins (+116)
Virginia football finally has optimism, as Tony Elliott and staff seem to be thriving in the transfer portal. Former Oklahoma, TCU, and North Texas quarterback Chandler Morris arrives to stabilize a position unsettled since Brennan Armstrong departed. The Cavaliers also fortified the offensive line with portal additions Brady Wilson, Makilan Thomas, and Monroe Mills. These upgrades address long-standing offensive weaknesses that have plagued recent Virginia teams.
The 2025 schedule adds to the optimism, as Virginia avoids ACC heavyweights Clemson, Miami, and SMU entirely. No opponent comes off a bye before facing the Cavaliers, a rare scheduling advantage. UVA’s own bye weeks precede key toss-up matchups against Washington State and rival Virginia Tech. Further helping their chances, Washington State will face Ole Miss and Virginia Tech will meet Miami just before playing Virginia.
Miami Florida ACC Champions (+390)
Miami’s offseason brought major changes, starting with quarterback Cam Ward leaving for the NFL draft. The Hurricanes quickly moved forward by landing Carson Beck from Georgia. Beck’s poise, accuracy, and success against zone defenses stand out as key assets. He also benefits from a softer schedule than he faced in the SEC.
With strong protection, talented receivers, and unified coaching, Beck could finally ignite Miami’s long-awaited resurgence. His ceiling might give the Hurricanes their best chance to unseat Clemson. If he avoids mistakes and maximizes his skill set, Miami could be a true playoff contender. The excitement in Coral Gables feels different this year.
