Last week, the major Las Vegas sports books released their over/under win totals for most Power 5 programs ahead of the 2017 college football season.
Though I'm not a betting man, a few stuck out to me as easy money. Ohio State comes in at an over/under of 9.5 wins this season — which certainly feels like a lock. The Buckeyes have been to the College Football Playoff twice in the last three years and has averaged 11.4 wins since Urban Meyer has been in charge. This is a talented group and at least 10 wins seems attainable.
West Virginia is another interesting one at just 7 wins for the 2017 campaign. The Mountaineers finished 10-3 last year with one of the most electric offenses in the nation. I don't see WVU taking a massive step back and would take this bet all day long.
MORE: ACC vs. SEC: Which College Football Conference Will Be Better In 2017?
It's fun to look at other conferences, but my focus is always the ACC, so let's take a look:
Clemson, 9
This is a tough one to predict with so much turnover with the Clemson roster. Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams and a bevy of other key players from last year's national title squad are now gone. Dabo Swinney has been able to constantly reload his roster with the nation's top talent, but as of now, the 2017 Tigers are unproven. I still think Clemson will make a run toward the College Football Playoff and go over nine wins.
Prediction: Over
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Duke, 5.5
I've talked about Duke a lot in the offseason and truly believe there are pieces in place for the Blue Devils to make a dent in the ACC. No, they aren't going to win the conference, but they won't be bottom feeders, either. Daniel Jones could very well emerge as one of the top passers in the conference and David Cutcliffe is a mastermind with young passers.
Prediction: Over
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Florida State, 9.5
Jimbo Fisher and the 2017 Seminoles have massive expectations. Nick Saban thinks FSU will enter the season as the No. 1 team in the country, and plenty of national media outlets believe this team could make a run toward the college football national title.
With all of the talent on both sides of the ball and Deondre Francois entering his second season at QB, I totally get the hype, but I also don't think it will be a cakewalk. This could go either way.
Prediction: Over
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Georgia Tech, 6.5
The Yellow Jackets always find a way to grind on their opponents with Paul Johnson's triple-option offense. Georgia Tech has a tough schedule that includes non conference games against Tennessee and Georgia as well as an ACC slate with games versus North Carolina, Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech. This could easily be a down year for GT.
Prediction: Under
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Louisville, 9
Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals caught a lot of folks off guard last season, rattling off a 9-4 record. I have a feeling teams will be more prepared to face the Heisman Trophy winner but am far from convinced they will be able to contain him on a regular basis. Louisville faces Florida State and Clemson in 2017, but beyond those two, it's a fairly easy ACC slate and cakewalk non-conference schedule.
Prediction: Over
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Miami, 8.5
Mark Richt appears to have the Hurricanes on the right path and plenty of college football minds believe it will happen sooner rather than later. Coming off a 9-4 campaign, Miami is another one of those ACC squads with lofty expectations heading into the season. Without Brad Kaaya at QB, I'm not convinced it will all come together this quick. Much like Louisville though, the 'Canes have a fairly easy schedule.
Prediction: Over
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North Carolina, 7
Just two seasons ago, it looked like the Tar Heels were on their way to becoming a consistent top-ranked ACC squad. Without Mitch Trubisky and most of his offensive weapons, this could very well become a down season in Chapel Hill. Larry Fedora is hoping to find success with LSU transfer QB Brandon Harris, but that's yet to be seen. I still think 7 is a bit low for this high-powered offense.
Prediction: Over
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N.C. State, 7.5
I'm sure there will be some animosity in the state of North Carolina considering the Wolfpack have a higher-projected win total than the Tar Heels. N.C. State might be the most underrated team in the ACC ahead of 2017, with a veteran QB, plenty of offensive weapons and one of the nation's premiere defensive lines. State has a rough schedule, but I believe the talent will prevail.
Prediction: Over
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Pittsburgh, 7.5
Pitt seems to always contend season after season, but struggles to get over the hump and become an ACC powerhouse. The Panthers enter the new campaign without QB Nathan Peterman and RB James Connor, the two staples on offense from 2016. One of the reasons this line is so high is because the Panthers don't have to play Clemson or Florida State, but they still have matchups with Penn State, North Carolina, Miami and Virginia Tech.
Prediction: Under
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Syracuse, 4
Maybe I'm missing something, but this one feels ridiculously low. I get it, this team only won four games a season ago and had one of the worst defenses in the country. Syracuse will enter 2017 with a fully-healthy Eric Dungey at QB and a defense that returns the most starters from any group in college football. Dino Babers is slowly but surely returning the Orange to relevancy through his masterful recruiting tactics and I've been sold on the direction of the program. For me, this is a 6 or 7 win squad at least.
Prediction: Over
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Virginia Tech, 9
Justin Fuente couldn't have drawn up a better first-year with Virginia Tech, leading his squad to a ACC coastal division crown in 2016. I fully believe Fuente is the right man for the job, but also admit he inherited a great situation last year. Now, Fuente will scramble to fill the void left by the departures of his starting QB, two starting WR's and several notable players on defense. That's not easy to do.
Prediction: Under
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Wake Forest, Virginia, Boston College
I couldn't track down any odds for these three teams. They have all struggled as of late, though Wake Forest put together a noteworthy campaign in 2016. I could see the Demon Deacons putting together 5 or 6 wins, but both Boston College and Virginia have a long way to go.
Agree or disagree with my predictions? Hit me up on Twitter @seanlabarACC and let me know.