BetMGM's Biggest Liability To Win ACC Might Surprise You

BetMGM Data

BetMGM has released its betting data for the upcoming college football season, showing where the money and tickets are going in each conference. This is obviously very interesting for those looking to make sharp plays and to see which teams the sportsbook will need to do well or falter. While many times you are going to get a ton of bets on the favorites, as the public loves favorites, that isn't always the case.

Taking a look at the data that they released for the ACC this coming year, there was a team that immediately jumped out.

Virginia Tech has the highest handle in the entire conference, with a whopping 41% of the total money on them to win the ACC. They opened at 14/1 odds, and have since dropped down to 12/1 in the market due to that money flowing in on them.

Unfortunately, at a price that long with all that money coming in, that has also made the Hokies the biggest liability for BetMGM in the ACC.

The New Louisville?

Last season, the Louisville Cardinals were the surprise of the ACC. No one expected them to be as good as they were, and it is possible that the Hokies could be in the same boat this season. They are loaded with veterans, talent, and depth, all the ingredients needed to be successful.

Virginia Tech also has a favorable schedule, avoiding Notre Dame, Florida State, NC State, and Louisville. The non-conference schedule also isn't bad, with Vanderbilt, Marshall, Old Dominion, and Rutgers.

Virginia Tech finally has a promising QB in Kyron Drones, who had 17 touchdowns to just three interceptions last season. He also ran for 818 yards and five scores, so he can get it done in the air and on the ground. He has a good receiving corps with Da'Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane returning, as well as the addition of transfer Ali Jennings.

Defensively, the team will bring back a nice mix of youth and veterans and should be an above average unit.

Futures Odds and Picks

When a team becomes the biggest liability for the sportsbook, that usually marks death for them. The book rarely has to pay out its largest liability, so Virginia Tech may be doomed before it even starts. I wouldn't touch them at this point.

NC State (+700) is getting the most bets, commanding 29.9% of the total tickets, but just 28% of the handle. The favorite is obviously Florida State (+275), which could end up being the smart bet here with just 6.6% of the handle.