PFF names Miami football intruiging bet to win ACC

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus likes the odds of the Miami football team winning the ACC as of his “Five intriguing college football futures bets to make ahead of the 2022 season.”  Sikkema posted his futures bet on September 2, one day before the Miami football team defeated Bethune-Cookman 70-13 in its season opener.

FanDuel currently has Clemson as the favorite to win the ACC at -165. Miami is the second favorite in the ACC and the top team listed in the Coastal Division at +500. Miami plays at Clemson on November 19 in what could be a preview of the ACC Championship game two weeks later.

Miami does not play North Carolina State this year. The Hurricanes defeated the Wolfpack 31-30 at Hard Rock Stadium in 2021. Expectations have been increased for the Miami football program in the inaugural season under Mario Cristobal. We will find out more in week three when Miami plays at Texas A&M.

FanDuel lists Pittsburgh as the third favorite in the ACC at +850. The Pittsburgh at Miami game in the last week of the regular season is expected to be the de facto ACC Coastal Division Championship game. Miami has won three in a row and five of the last six versus Pittsburgh.

MIAMI OR N.C. STATE TO WIN ACC
BetMGM Odds: +550 (Miami), +700 (N.C. State)

“Clemson is the heavy betting favorite to win the ACC, which we figured would be the case. Before Pittsburgh took home first place last year, Clemson had won the conference titles every year since 2014. They’re -135 to win it again this year, but that’s too strong for my blood…

Their conundrum at the quarterback position remains unsolved. I believe Clemson is more vulnerable than the market suggests. That’s why I’d have more fun throwing some cash on either Miami or N.C. State at their odds to win the conference. The main reason is that both teams have quarterbacks to believe in.

Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke threw for 2,277 yards with 20 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions over the team’s final six games. Meanwhile, Devin Leary’s 85.1 passing grade in 2021 was the best mark of his career.

The odds for both teams are good enough to intrigue me given how vulnerable Clemson could be this season.”

Miami is favored in every game this season except at Clemson and Texas A&M according to the ESPN Football Power Index. The Hurricanes have often had trouble in the past winning games they are favored. Last season Miami lost to Michigan State, Virginia and Florida State in games they were favored to win.

The losses to Michigan State and Virginia occurred at Hard Rock Stadium. Cristobal will have Miami focused every week and not looking ahead. Miami hosts Southern Mississippi and Middle Tennessee around the game at Texas A&M to conclude non-conference play. Miami begins ACC play on October 8 versus North Carolina.