The big news in college football, of course, is that the Big Ten and the Pac-12 will not be playing this fall due to concerns with the coronavirus. The two Power 5 conferences are looking to play in the spring of 2021.
The remaining Power 5 conferences – the ACC, Big 12, and SEC – are planning on playing this fall. All three appear to be leaning toward a conference-only schedule, but a few non-conference matchups may take place.
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With that in mind, we take a look at a little betting history in these three conferences. Historically, which teams are your best bets straight up and against the spread?
THE ACC
There is one team that has dominated the ACC for the past five seasons. Clemson has won five straight ACC titles and two national championships in the past five seasons. They are the favorite once again to win the conference crown and will go down in sports history.
Heisman Trophy candidate Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne lead a powerful and explosive Tigers offense. Head coach Dabo Swinney’s defense will reload with a two-deep full of potential NFL draft picks.
The Tigers are normally huge favorites on the moneyline. While they are almost a sure bet – Clemson is 28-2 in its last 30 ACC games – the return simply isn’t there. What about betting against the spread?
While Clemson sees a number of double-figure lines during the course of a season, the Tigers are the best ACC bet ATS. In their past 30 ACC games, Clemson is 19-10-1 ATS. Recently, they have been on a run with a 14-2 record ATS in their last 16 conference games.
Looking for an edge this MLB Season? Take a look at the 2019 MLB Season’s Key Numbers
THE BIG 12
Like Clemson, Oklahoma has owned the Big 12 title for the last five seasons. The Sooners are 27-3 in conference play over the past 30 games. Bettors looking to capitalize on Oklahoma probably don’t want to back the Sooners against the spread. The Big 12 champs are just 12-17-1 ATS in their last 30 conference games. That includes going 1-5 ATS in their last six.
Bettors should keep an eye on Baylor. Yes, just a few seasons ago – 2017 – the Bears went 1-11. Last season, Baylor went 11-3 under head coach Matt Rhule, who is now the Carolina Panthers head coach.
Dave Aranda, one of the game’s best defensive minds, takes over as head coach. Baylor is just 13-17 in their last 30 conference games, but they are 19-11 ATS. In their last five Big 12 games, Baylor has covered the spread in each game.
THE SEC
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has said from the beginning that his conference is going to play football this season. When they do, Alabama will be a team to watch. The Crimson Tide are a perennial candidate for the SEC and national championships.
NCAAF against the spread bettors should prefer Georgia or LSU over the Tide based on their SEC histories. While Alabama is 27-3 SU against SEC competition, the Tide is just 15-14-1 ATS. In their last nine SEC games, head coach Nick Saban’s squad has covered just three times.
Meanwhile, rivals Georgia and LSU have fared much better against the spread. The Bulldogs (24-6 SU) are 19-10-1 ATS and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 SEC games. LSU is 19-9-2 ATS in their last 30 and 6-2-2 ATS in their last ten.
