As we creep into November, it means only one thing: MACtion is back! Weekday games mean betting early to get some cashflow going before Saturday. Or, it often leads to regret realizing the quality of game was not worth putting money on. I’m here to help this week. With a slate of five beautiful games during the week, I’m going to run through each matchup and give you some straight cash homie (let’s hope). Before we dive in, let’s take a look at the MAC standings, which has quietly become one of the most highly contested conferences in college football. Also, lines were on ESPN as of Monday. Happy gambling!
Mac East
- Miami (OH)- 5-4 (4-1)
- Ohio- 4-5 (3-2)
- Buffalo- 5-4 (3-2)
- Kent State- 3-6 (2-3)
- Bowling Green- 3-6 (2-3)
- Akron- 0-9 (0-5)
MAC West
- Western Michigan- 6-4 (4-2)
- Central Michigan- 6-4 (4-2)
- Ball State- 4-5 (3-2)
- Toledo- 6-3 (3-2)
- Northern Illinois- 3-6 (2-3)
- Eastern Michigan- 4-5 (1-4)
As you can see, it has been pretty tight in the MAC this season. It’s tough to bet a conference that has beaten up on each other all season long. Outside of Eastern Michigan and Akron, it’s anyone’s game inside the MAC. Every game down the stretch matters and it starts on Tuesday.
Eastern Michigan (-17) at. Akron- Tuesday, 6 p.m. on ESPN News
Probably not a great sign when your game in on ESPN News. But we start with the two worst teams in the MAC to kick things off. Eastern Michigan opens as favorites, not surprisingly against an 0-9 Akron Zips squad. The Eagles have hovered around .500 thanks to a strong nonconference showing, but have not been able to figure things out in conference. As a whole, EMU isn’t all that bad. They beat Illinois 34-31 on the road and knocked off in-state foe Western Michigan. But it’s been the defense that has been the main issue. They also can’t run the ball worth anything. Akron features an okay pass defense, an awful rush defense, and an offense that can’t score. The Zips lose by a lot. The Eagles usually win games by close margins. Something has to give. Akron was just blown out 35-6 by a very bad Bowling Green team. I hate picking this game at all, but I’ll take Eastern Michigan in an ugly cover.
The pick: Eastern Michigan (-17)
Western Michigan at. Ohio (-1.5)- Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2
From a bad matchup to possibly the best MAC game this week. Western Michigan enters this matchup needing two straight wins to clinch the MAC West. On the other side, Ohio is coming off a tough 24-21 loss to Miami (OH) that leaves them a game behind in the MAC East. The Broncos feature a high-powered offense quarterbacked by Jon Wassink, who has thrown for 2,397 yards, 16 TD and seven picks this season. The leading force for the Western Michigan offense is RB LeVante Bellamy, who has rushed for 1,212 yards and a whopping 20 touchdowns, which leads all of college football. Both defenses are pretty putrid, but Western Michigan comes in hot and hungry, looking to secure a MAC West championship. I like the Broncos in what has essentially turned into a pickem. It should be a high-scoring and fun game.
The pick: Western Michigan (+1.5)
Bowling Green at. Miami (OH) (-19)- Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. on ESPNU
It has been a slow but steady rebuild for Miami and head coach Chuck Martin. 2019 seems to finally be the year the Redhawks can compete for the MAC championship, which would be their first since 2010. The Redhawks took a one-game lead over Ohio and Buffalo with their win last weekend over Ohio, but it’s really more of a two-game lead with Miami holding the tiebreaker over both teams. Miami prides itself on a balanced offense and stout defense. On the other side, Bowling Green is a balanced offense with a defense that struggled mightily but has found its stride recently. The Falcons started 1-4 but has split their last four games and come into Wednesday night with a 3-6 overall record. I like Miami to win this matchup rather easily, but I think the Falcons cover. The Redhawks are only outscoring opponents 124-119 in conference play, with their biggest win coming 34-20 over Buffalo. Miami will most likely win by double digits, but 19 seems too high against a Falcons squad that is starting to click.
The pick: Bowling Green (+19)
Northern Illinois at. Toledo (-2.5)- Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. on ESPN2
Toledo has been a pretty confusing team thus far. They started 4-1, with wins over Colorado State and BYU. But the Rockets then fell 20-7 to Bowling Green and 52-14 to Ball State. Despite these losses, the Rockets are already bowl eligible and will look to stay within a game of Western Michigan in the MAC West, a team they hold the tiebreaker over. Toledo had a scare when star RB Bryant Koback went down with a leg injury last weekend against Kent State, but if Koback is able to go, I really like its chances. Northern Illinois was a dominant force over the MAC for a few years, but they have struggled this season. I like Toledo to win rather comfortably. Hammer the more offensively talented team in this one.
The pick: Toledo (-2.5)
Buffalo (-6) at. Kent State- Thursday, 7:00 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
With some many bad defenses in the MAC, Buffalo is a refreshing look. The Bulls rank 12th in the nation in total defense and the 6th best rush defense. Offensively, they boast the 17th best rushing offense, spearheaded by sophomore Jaret Patterson. Patterson has rushed for 995 yards and seven touchdowns, ranking 13th in the nation in yards per game with 110.6. At quarterback, freshman Matt Myers was having an okay start to his career before being injured in a game against Miami (OH). In his place, sophomore Kyle Vantrease has stepped up in a big way and is coming off of a 15-23, 208 yard, 1 TD game against Eastern Michigan. Kent State comes in losers of three straight and looking for answers. Six points is a little high, but Kent State’s defense is among the worst in the nation. I’ll take MY Buffalo Bulls to cover. Horns up baby!
