MAC Odds, Betting Preview: Miami (OH), Toledo Look To Repeat In Detroit

Nobody puts a more consistently entertaining product on the collegiate gridiron than the Mid-American Conference. Though rarely nationally competitive, the MAC is a must-watch TV every Tuesday and Wednesday through November. This year, MAC odds suggest a repeat of last year’s conference championship game – something we haven’t seen since 2014-15 – between the Miami (OH) Redhawks and Toledo Rockets. We haven’t seen a repeat champion since 2011-12, with Jordan Lynch and the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Below is a full rundown of Mid-American Conference odds, previews for all 12 teams, power rankings, and more.

MAC Odds: To Win The Conference

Compare MAC odds from the best sports betting sites below. Click anywhere to place a bet.

With conference realignment in full swing, odds boards are more muddied than ever. But the MAC remains unchanged and represents a bastion of consistency. However unlikely the standings are to actually fall this way, we have a pretty cut-and-dry set of tiers for odds.

As mentioned, Miami (OH) and Toledo top the odds boards. Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, and resurgent Western Michigan make up a nice tier of contenders for the title. Ohio and Central Michigan make up a middle class buffer tier before we dive into longshot territory with the other five programs.

From top to bottom, parity looms large. While Miami is a solid favorite, only eight power points separate it from sixth-ranked Western Michigan (see power ranking below). Just 16 total points separate the very top (Miami) and the very bottom (Kent State).

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MAC Odds: Projected Wins, Win Totals

Projected wins below are derived from aggregate power ratings, including SP+, FPI, and more. Win totals are pulled from FanDuel Sportsbook as of Aug. 8.

Team	Proj. Wins	Win Total	Price
Toledo Rockets	7.8	8.5	+136/-168
Miami (OH) Redhawks	7.6	7.5	-144/+118
Northern Illinois Huskies	5.9	6.5	-128/+104
Ohio Bobcats	5.9	6.5	+130/-160
Bowling Green Falcons	5.8	6.5	+104/-132
Western Michigan Broncos	5.8	6.5	-115/-105
Central Michigan Chippewas	5.7	5.5	-150/+122
Buffalo Bulls	5.4	4.5	-142/+116
Eastern Michigan Eagles	4.6	4.5	-144/+118
Ball State Cardinals	3.7	4.5	+134/-164
Akron Zips	3.2	3.5	+100/-122
Kent State Golden Flashes	2.8	2.5	-158/+128

MAC Power Rankings

Table Key (all ranks except power rankings are national):

• Rank (Power ranking, conference)
• Proj. Wins (Projected total wins)
• Return (Returning production, total)
• PPD (Points per drive scored)
• PPDA (Points per drive allowed)
• L5 (Last five years recruiting average, national)

Related: How Variance Affects College Football Conference Futures, Win Totals

Mid-American Conference Odds: The Favorites

Miami (OH) Redhawks
MAC Odds:

The core of an 11-3 Miami (OH) Redhawks team from a year ago returns in 2024. QB Brett Gabbert, who has dealt with multiple injuries, leads the offense, albeit without a rock-solid insurance policy in Aveon Smith behind him. MAC Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Matt Salopek, heads the defense. Salopek and running mate Ty Wise make up the top linebacking duo in the conference and one of the best in the Group of Five. Four starters along the offensive line also return.

Miami finished seventh in points per drive (PPD) allowed, yielding just 1.8 sacks per game (58th). Six of the 13 remaining starters come on defense and four up front on offense. Those units, again, should be stout and help lead Miami to the top of the league. Miami landed EDGE Javon Hammonds, the highest-rated recruit in team history to bolster the defense. He joins a disruptive defensive line that finished 36th in sack rate and 24th in total pressures despite blitzing at the lowest rate in the nation last year.

But in the age of the transfer portal, an 11-win team was bound to lose key pieces. Top WR Gage Larvadain and Lou Groza-winning kicker Graham Nicholson transferred to the SEC. While the cupboard is far from bare, those are two enormous losses.

Coach Chuck Martin often receives criticism for his conservative decision-making on fourth down and occasional lack of aggression. But against the MAC, his formula works. Since 2016, Martin is 40-19 against MAC opponents. In his career, he is 47-29-1 (.618) against the spread versus MAC opponents.

Miami does play three games this year at a rest disadvantage but expect Martin & Co. to continue their run through the league.

Toledo Rockets
MAC Odds:

Stop me if you’ve heard this: Jason Candle and Toledo finished a strong season 11-1 before failing to win either the MAC Championship or its bowl game. At Toledo, Candle is a ghastly 2-5 in bowl games (0-7 ATS), with nine outright losses as a touchdown-or-greater favorite. Out goes star QB Dequan Finn, stud running back Peny Boone, two NFL-level cornerbacks, and all five starting offensive linemen.

So, why is Toledo still a favorite?

Defensively, the Rockets should still be near the top of the MAC. Despite losing those stud corners, Toledo boasts two or three all-conference caliber players in the secondary, namely Maxen Hook (69 tackles, three interceptions in 2023). The front seven should still out-size most MAC opponents. Defensive coordinator Vince Kehres is one of the best in the Group of Five and has a strong track record of developing defensive talent.

Tucker Gleason assumes the role of QB1 this fall. While not as big a playmaker as Finn, Gleason is a decent option who needs to improve his completion rate (50.9% last year) but should conduct this Toledo offense just fine. Jaquez Stuart rushed for 574 yards and six touchdowns behind Boone last year. The receiving corps, led by Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross III, is the best in the MAC. The top four returning receivers combined for over 2,000 receiving yards.

The biggest question mark remains Toledo’s offensive line. Despite inking its best recruiting class since 2013, the Rockets’ depth will be tested along the offensive front.

Toledo’s schedule is manageable. In non-league play, the Rockets face FCS Duquesne, UMass, Mississippi State, and Western Kentucky. In MAC play, they host three of their toughest opponents in Miami (OH), Bowling Green, and Ohio.

Mid-American Conference Odds: The Contender

Northern Illinois Huskies
MAC Odds:

Once again, Thomas Hammock righted the ship after a down year for Northern Illinois. Following an 0-6 campaign in 2020, NIU went 9-5 and won the MAC. They fell to 3-9 in 2022 and then returned to 7-6 with a bowl win in 2023.

After a 1-3 start – granted, one that featured an upset over Boston College – and three consecutive games of 14 or fewer points scored, NIU switched up its offensive coordinator. After that change, NIU finished 6-2, scoring 28.5 points per game.

Rocky Lombardi finally moves on, likely able to collect a state pension from his time in college football. The remaining QBs, Ethan Hampton and Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Jalen Macon have starting experience. Whoever gets the start has the luxury of throwing to electric receiver Trayvon Rudolph, who returns from injury, and first-team All-MAC RB Antario Brown. Keep an eye on 6-foot-5 SLOT receiver Grayson Barnes to step into the spotlight. On just 23 catches, Barnes picked up 422 yards (18.4 per) and scored five times.

Five of the top seven offensive linemen also return to DeKalb this year. NIU also returns virtually its entire secondary, a unit that helped the Huskies to finish 10th in passing success rate allowed and 13th in passing EPA allowed. Over 150 tackles must be replaced in the front seven, but that phase is packed with seniors (six). NIU should field one of the better defenses in the MAC this year.

It all comes down to whether Hampton or Macon sticks. If quarterback play is at least adequate, NIU could make a run at Detroit.

Mid-American Conference Odds: The Middle Class

Ohio Bobcats
MAC Odds:

No one starts over quite as thoroughly as Ohio does this year. Prolific QB Kurtis Rourke transferred to Indiana, RB Sieh Bangura left for Minnesota, and the Bobcats’ top six receivers departed one way or another. After spring practice, three more starters left (not a good sign!), including its top-rising pass rusher.

The Bobcats also replaced their defensive coordinator, promoting safeties coach John Hauser to the position. Coach Tim Albin relieved both offensive play callers of their duties and named pass game coordinator Brian Smith this year’s OC. Even with Rourke at the helm, Ohio failed to score 21+ seven times.

In total, 21 players left Ohio in the last two years either for the NFL or for power programs. Those players propelled the Bobcats to a 20-7 record, including two bowl wins. It’s a true clean slate this year.

A couple of exciting pieces do rise for 2024. QB Parker Navarro, though inexperienced, is a dynamic athlete who adds in a QB rushing threat not seen with Rourke. QB Ricky Hunt exploded onto the scene with five rushing touchdowns in the Myrtle Bowl against Georgia Southern. Northwestern transfer Anthony Tyus joins him in the backfield. After being a dangerous pass team with a complementary run game the last few years, Ohio should be one of the more dynamic rushing attacks in the MAC this year.

On defense, there are a ton of question marks. Nine starting spots need to be filled, and most risers are FCS transfers from past years. The Bobcats close the year with three straight games against teams off byes (two rest disadvantages). Should depth need to be tested, playing three rested teams could be a brutal final stretch for Ohio.

Central Michigan Chippewas
MAC Odds:

No matter how much willpower we as a community dedicate to it, Bert Emanuel Jr. may never be the explosive QB that many expected at Central Michigan.

Since bursting onto the scene with 293 rushing yards against Buffalo in 2022, Emanuel failed to match that mark collectively over seven games. He spent much of last year sidelined and combined for 12 rush attempts and one pass attempt after Week 2. It just wasn’t meant to be.

Starting QB Jase Bauer transferred out, and former Iowa QB Joe Labas transferred in, likely to assume QB1 duties. RB duo Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey combined for 1,200 net rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Many of their rushing scoring opportunities were poached by Bauer, who rushed 10 touchdowns in. CMU’s five top receivers return, as do three starters along the offensive line. However, with a vacant OC position sitting open, it appears coach Jim McElwain will take over the play-calling duties.

Perhaps the biggest concern was a quote from an opposing coach on McElwain: “The biggest question here is how long [McElwain] wants to keep doing it at this level. There was a lot of talk about him stepping aside.” Since filling in the 2021 Sun Bowl (and beating Washington State in it!), McElwain and CMU are just 9-15 with no bowl appearances. The last two years, they combined for a 3-7 record on October 21 and on – a testament to the team’s lack of depth.

This team will live and die by explosive plays. Its receiving corps combined to average 15.6 yards per reception last season, but neither QB completed 60% of his passes (15-11 TD:INT ratio).

MAC Longshot To Consider: Bowling Green Falcons

This year’s Bowling Green team is packed with All-MAC players. RB Terion Stewart led the nation in broken tackles per touch and rushed for 762 yards despite splitting a backfield and spending the back end of the year hurt. Both top QBs return: Missouri/Indiana transfer Connor Bazelak (1,935 yards, 12 TDs, seven interceptions) and 6-foot-3, 225-pound Camden Orth (208 rush yards, five touchdowns).

TE/SLOT weapon Harold Fannin is a future NFL draft pick after leading the team in receiving last year. Four of five starters along a solid offensive line are also back in the fold.

While top defenders hit the transfer portal, BGSU isn’t devoid of players. Anthony Hawkins is an All-MAC type player, and the stop unit rolled along last year, leading the nation in takeaways (30) and finishing 52nd in points per drive. Corner Jordan Oladokun is also an all-conference-level player.

Head coach Scot Loeffler started working with a barren cupboard. The recruiting run of Dino Babers to Mike Jinks tore this program to shreds. Now in his sixth season, Loeffler has returned BGSU to its spot as an annual MAC contender.

The Falcons open MAC play with Akron, NIU (home), and Kent State (home). They visit rival Toledo before heading into a bye week and MACtion. The next three are all winnable: Central Michigan, Western Michigan, and Ball State. However, BG closes its season at home against Miami (OH), which could be a de facto MAC semifinal matchup.

In league games, Bowling Green could be favored in six of eight.

A MAC Team To Fade: Western Michigan Broncos

The market (and EA Sports College Football 25) is bullish on a Western Michigan team that combined for a 9-15 record the last two seasons. WMU returns QB Hayden Wolff (65.5% completion) and 1,000-yard rusher Jalen Buckley as a part of a top-20 returning production mark nationally.

Most of a good receiving corps is also back, led by All-MAC Kenny Womack. In total, 15 starters return for the Broncos.

But head coach Lance Taylor turns over both coordinators this season. In his second campaign at the helm, there isn’t any continuity in Kalamazoo. Last year’s hires led WMU to the 95th-ranked scoring offense (PPD) and 115th-ranked scoring defense (PPD). None of the three quarterbacks who started last year were of FBS starting quality despite a strong receiving corps.

Womack caught just one touchdown pass and didn’t have a completion over 34 yards. Don’t expect this offense to take that huge step forward under Walt Bell.

Returning seven starters on defense is fine, except this unit allowed 30+ points six times last season. WMU lost seven games by 13+ points and another four by 24+ points. There were many times throughout last season when this team flat out stunk. Two new coordinators bring Taylor’s two-year total up to four, and there were no marked improvements on either side of the ball. Both new coordinators are multi-time fired coordinators and coaches.

A non-MAC slate of at Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Marshall (plus FCS Bethune-Cookman) could start WMU 1-3. The start to the MAC slate is easy (Ball State, Akron, Buffalo, Kent State) but picks up after the bye. WMU plays at Bowling Green and Central Michigan. They don’t play a single conference game with a rest advantage.

While the market is buying into WMU, I’m not.

Everyone Else

Akron Zips
MAC Odds:

The enterprise of an exciting Akron team is fully gone. We’re talking about a bottom-of-the-nation type team in Rubber City this year.

After OC hire Taylor Housewright stepped away from football, head coach Joe Moorhead assumed duties himself. Cal and NC State transfer QB Ben Finley is the presumed starter. Offensively, the Zips lose their top passer, two top rushers, three top receivers, and three starting offensive linemen.

Defensively, Akron was pretty decent and should again be able to resist MAC offenses. Since 2018, Akron has combined for the worst record in the FBS: 7-47 (.130).

Ball State Cardinals
MAC Odds:

Whether or not Ball State improves as a team may not be reflected in its final schedule. The Cardinals have a Week 2 bye before embarking on five road games in seven weeks.

They lose talented DC Tyler Stockton to Boise State and their top rusher, Marquez Cooper, and star TE, Brady Hunt, to the transfer market. The entire secondary needs replacing, as does the entire defensive line. This defense could bottom out in 2024.

Offensively, redshirt freshman Kadin Semonza assumes QB1 duties while last year’s part-time starter Kail Kelly converts to defensive back. This is likely Mike Neu’s final season in Muncie.

Buffalo Bulls
MAC Odds:

Buffalo was left high and dry when head coach Maurice Linguist decided to leave the program in mid-January – well after the coaching cycle was winding down.

In his place, UB hired South Carolina special teams coordinator Pete Lembo. Watch for the name C.J. Ogbonna. While underwhelming through the air, Ogbonna is a dynamic athlete capable of extending plays. He’ll compete with Old Dominion transfer Jack Shields for QB1 duties.

The Bulls should be stout defensively. LB Shaun Dolac and SAF Marcus Fuqua are all-conference candidates. After starting off allowing 33.5 points per game over its first six games, UB improved, allowing just 21.3 over its last six games.

Eastern Michigan Eagles
MAC Odds:

There’s a lot new in Ypsilanti this year. Just nine starters return for Eastern Michigan, and Rynearson Stadium received a renovation—brand new turf thanks to a donation from NFL star Maxx Crosby and the removal of the track around its surface.

Buffalo QB Cole Snyder transfers in after throwing for over 3,000 yards a season ago. EMU will have to replace its top four rushers, three of its top five receivers, and three offensive line starters.

The Eagles should improve upon their 6-7 mark from a year ago, with Synder a clear upgrade at quarterback and a defense that should be serviceable again (it held 11 of 12 regular-season opponents under 30 points in regulation).

Kent State Golden Flashes
MAC Odds:

The good news is that Kent State’s situation can’t get worse. Last year, the Golden Flashes went 0-11 against FBS competition, losing by an average of 24.3 points per game.

They return QB Tommy Uliatowski, the best of a cast of bad options, top rusher Gavin Garcia, and electric receiver Chrishon McCray. All five starting offensive linemen are back. Last year, three were first-year FBS players. That unit, mostly due to inexperience, allowed 41 sacks last year.

Meanwhile, five starters are back on defense, a unit that could still be one of the worst in the country. Even marked improvement likely means Kent State is outside the top 110 nationally.

Mid-American All-Conference Team

QB: Connor Bazelak (Bowling Green); Brett Gabbert (Miami)
RB: Terion Stewart (Bowling Green); Jalen Buckley (Western Michigan)
WR: Chrishon McCray (Kent State); Trayvon Rudolph (NIU); Jerjuan Newton (Toledo)
TE: Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
OT: Reid Holskey (Miami); Alex Wollschlaeger (Bowling Green)
IOL: Jacob Gideon (Western Michigan); Addison West (Western Michigan); Tyler Doty (Buffalo)

DL: Brian Ugwu (Miami); Anthony Hawkins (Bowling Green); Darius Alexander (Toledo); C.J. Nunnally IV (Akron)
LB: Matt Salopek (Miami); Shaun Dolec (Buffalo); Ty Wise (Miami)
CB: Jordan Oladokun (Bowling Green); Donte Kent (Central Michigan)
SAF: Maxen Hook (Toledo); Marcus Fuqua (Buffalo)

Coaching & Coordinator Changes In The MAC

Pete Lembo, Buffalo: Maurice Linguist’s departure late in the coaching carousel left Buffalo high and dry. Fortunately, they landed an experienced coach in Lembo, who last coordinated special teams for South Carolina. Throughout his career, Lembo was assigned assistant head coaching at South Carolina, Memphis, Rice, and Maryland. For having few options available, Buffalo certainly could have done worse.

Jeff Knowles, DC, Ball State: Knowles is no stranger to the MAC, and he’s no stranger to coordinating defenses. He worked for three years at NIU under Dave Doeren before moving with him to NC State. Knowles last coached FCS Butler’s defense, leading the Bulldogs to a top-10 scoring defense (17.6 ppg). Ball State has fielded one of the MAC’s better defenses the past few seasons and lost its DC to Boise State.

Joe Moorhead, OC, Akron: The head coach takes over play-calling duties after options 1 and 2 both fell through. Moorhead is a seasoned OC who took over Akron in 2022. Last year’s OC left for UCLA (QBs), the passing game coordinator left for Nevada, and Montana State’s OC Taylor Housewright—who Moorhead hired in January—stepped away from football in April. With no options left on the table, Moorhead assumes the duties himself.

Check out every MAC coaching and coordinator change this offseason!

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