Since its inception in 1953, the ACC Conference has provided college football fans with plenty of teams that have been stacked with star power and a will to win games. Fast forward to 2023, and the conference will attempt to get back to the College Football Playoff after a couple of seasons sitting out on the fun. With that being said, it is time to check out our college football odds series where our 2023 ACC Winner prediction and pick will be revealed.

Last season, the Clemson Tigers returned to their rightful thrown and captured their seventh conference title crown in the past eight seasons by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Championship Game. Incredibly enough. the Tigers led by Dabo Swinney have dominated the ACC and are once again the team to beat with +150 odds to win the conference. However, with the up-and-coming Florida State Seminoles and a multitude of talented squads residing in the conference ready to raise some eyebrows in 2023, the ACC should be as competitive as it gets.

Here are the college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

College Football Odds: 2023 ACC Winner

Clemson: +150

Florida State: +170

Pittsburgh: +1100

North Carolina: +1100

Why Clemson Will Win the ACC

For obvious reasons, Clemson has become a household name in this conference since head coach Dabo Swinney took the helm in 2009. With the best recruiting classes, a marvelous home-field advantage at Memorial Stadium, and a pair of National Championships coming during the 2016 and 2018 seasons, it is safe to say that this Tigers football program is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

The main thing that plagued the Tigers in 2022 was far too inconsistent quarterback play. Not only is having a steady quarterback under center the name of the game if you want to be successful, but Clemson has gotten to the point of their program where even 11 wins a season is considered a failure due to such lofty national championship hopes. Entering the season as the ninth-ranked team in the nation, Clemson said goodbye to 2022 starting QB DJ Uiagalelei who transferred to Oregon State, and will welcome Cade Klubnik with open arms. Certainly, Klubnik impressed during the ACC title game and has high expectations for himself to lead the Tigers back to the CFP. Not to mention, but TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley will join Dabo's staff after the Horned Frogs were an offensive juggernaut in 2022. It appears that this offense will be locked and loaded this fall.

Above all else, Clemson is absolutely stacked on defense with eight returning starters as this side of the ball will be a large reason why they are ACC champs once again in 2023. Understandably, this was a team last year that was truly only a few plays away from a College Football Playoff berth and anything less this season will be considered a massive disappointment.

Why Florida State Will Win the ACC

Did you know? The Florida State football program had a winning record every season since 1976 up until 2018 when Jimbo Fisher decided to pack his bags to College Station to become Texas A&M's coach. That's a WHOPPING 42 consecutive winning seasons! Unfortunately, the Seminoles suffered four straight losing seasons before finally turning the corner in 2022 when they amassed ten wins and defeated Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl in Mike Norvell's fourth year as head coach.

The hype is surely real in Tallahassee, as fans believe that the darkest days are finally behind them. Once again, Florida State has a quarterback who is a dark horse to win the Heisman. After totaling 32 overall touchdowns in 2022, QB Jordan Travis is ready to cement his legacy in FSU lore heading into his senior season. A mobile threat with a strong arm, the Seminoles also added Michigan State transfer wideout Keon Coleman and are also returning running back Trey Benson who nearly rushed for 1,000 yards last fall.

Of course, the biggest test for this Seminoles squad is right out of the gate versus #5 LSU on Labor Day night. If Florida State can down LSU for the second straight season, the Seminoles will have insurmountable confidence heading into the rest of their scheduled slate which will give them hope to win the ACC for the first time since 2014.

Why Pittsburgh Will Win the ACC

After a solid nine-win season that saw the Panthers edge out the UCLA Bruins in the Sun Bowl, head coach Pat Narduzzi has silently built Pittsburgh back into a respectable program once again in his ten years at the helm. In fact, Pitt has strung together 20 wins over their last pair of seasons which is the best two-year run that they've had in decades.

Although their schedule this season is more than daunting, one reason that they can win the ACC is due to the fact that they won't have to face off with Clemson, NC State, or even Miami in 2023. In addition, the Panthers' first three of four games will be in their own building which should pay dividends.

Obviously, the main headline for Pitt is at quarterback just like many other schools. This season, Pitt has to rely on Boston College transfer Phil Jurkovec who is hoping to be a veteran presence for the Panthers. In 2022, their newly acquired sixth-year college quarterback threw for eleven touchdowns and 1,711 yards. While he won't put up gaudy numbers, he is a steady option under center.

Most importantly, can the Pittsburgh run game be dynamic enough to carry the load offensively? A year ago, the Panthers rushed for at least 170 yards six separate times which resulted in a perfect 6-0 record. If they can control the line of scrimmage, then they should be in good shape.

Why North Carolina Will Win the ACC

If there is one team in the ACC Conference that knows a little thing or two about quarterback play, look no further than North Carolina. Then again, it doesn't hurt to have one of the top projected signal callers in the 2024 NFL Draft inside your locker room in Drake Maye. Equipped with a big arm and excellent mobility in the pocket, Maye could single-handedly bring the Tar Heels to glory with his arm alone.

Rarely do you see a team win a conference just with their quarterback. Alas, college football is a team game and the rest of UNC needs to step up to supply their All-American field general some help. Obviously, there's no other way around it; the defense was horrendous a year ago and was a big reason why the Tar Heels ended the season on a four-game skid. However, there is hope with some much-needed transfer portal firepower on defense. Clearly, this will be a must for UNC's chances to earn their first ACC Championship in football in more than 40 years.

More specifically, just don't be awful on defense. Doesn't sound too hard, right? All thing considered, keep your eye on CB Alijah Huzzie and Armani Chatman to be guys to keep this pass defense at a respectable level.

Final 2023 ACC Winner Prediction & Pick

Clemson's run in the ACC has been terrorizing, but Florida State seems primed and ready to take the torch from the Tigers.

Final 2023 ACC Winner Prediction and Pick: Florida State (+170)