ACC football Week 1 betting lines: Clemson, Notre Dame open as big favorites

Clemson and Notre Dame opened as big Week 1 favorites when ACC betting lines were released, with both favored by 20 points or more.

Betting lines for the opening slate of ACC games were released this week, with most of the conference’s premier teams opening as double-digit favorites. While there are not many true national championship contenders in the conference outside of Clemson and Notre Dame, the Week 1 matchups still provide plenty of value for bettors.

With major conference college football kicking off in under two weeks, sports bettors are assuredly eager to get back to action, and the Week 1 ACC games may just provide the right value to give them a strong start to the 2020 season.

The ACC has no marquee games in Week 1, but fans can take advantage of huge spreads.

UAB at Miami (-16): The Miami Hurricanes open as 16-point favorites for a Week 1 date with the UAB Blazers, but an inconsistent 2019 season could scare off some bettors. Miami dropped its final three games in 2019, including an embarrassing 14-0 defeat in the Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech, and despite adding quarterback D’Eriq King in the offseason, has to prove that the offensive line can outperform last year’s group. Expect the Hurricanes to come away with the win, while UAB narrowly covers the spread.

Syracuse at No. 18 North Carolina (-17.5): The North Carolina Tar Heels enter 2020 with high expectations, and quarterback Sam Howell is seen by some as a Heisman Trophy threat, and the Syracuse offense regressed in 2019 under Tommy DeVito. The 18th-ranked Tar Heels should run away with this one, covering the 17.5 point spread relatively easily.

Georgia Tech at Florida State (-11.5): Florida State is a prime rebound candidate in 2020 after a difficult stretch of losing seasons, while Georgia Tech is mired in a rebuild and likely to finish near the bottom of the conference. Don’t overthink this one, the Seminoles should make quick work of the Yellow Jackets.

Western Kentucky at Louisville (-13.5): The Louisville Cardinals went 8-5 in 2019, and with quarterback Micale Cunningham expected to be healthy in 2020, could improve even more. However, Western Kentucky is no slouch as a mid-major, and should put up a decent fight against the Cardinals. With Louisville’s potential on offense, a narrow cover seems like the play.

No. 1 Clemson at Wake Forest (+32): The Clemson Tigers are expected to reach a third consecutive national championship in 2020, but Wake Forest’s improvement has largely fallen under the radar. The Demon Deacons lost quarterback Jamie Newman, but still have talent in the passing game with star wideout Sage Surratt in the fold. Clemson should run away with the victory, but covering a 32-point spread is no easy task. Don’t be surprised if Wake Forest puts up enough points to cover.

Duke at No. 10 Notre Dame (-20.5): The Fighting Irish will play in the ACC as part of a highly irregular 2020 season, and should quickly announce their presence with an easy win over the Blue Devils. With Clemson transfer Chase Brice at quarterback for Duke, the team is likely to improve, but not enough to keep this game close. Notre Dame should cover with relative ease.