Best Futures Bets In the MAC
BEST FUTURES BETS IN THE MAC — In a world where almost everything changes, the MAC has been the picture of stability. The conference retains the same 12 teams it has had for years, as well as its original mindset. These are solid mid-major FBS programs in a fairly compact geographic area.
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Of course, not everything is the same in the land of MACtion. First, the league decided to eliminate divisions, following the trend of every other league save the Sun Belt. In practice, this doesn’t seem to have done much in 2024 other than screw over Buffalo travel-wise (the Bulls somehow drew every team from the old MAC West except Central Michigan) and give Northern Illinois a slightly easier slate (and the Huskies didn’t need the help). But it’s preparation for the other change coming soon: Massachusetts coming to the conference. Odds are, that’s probably going to be a free win for most of the league, which is why the East didn’t get to hoard the Minutemen.
But before Massachusetts comes along, there’s 2024 to figure out. Here are the best bets in the MAC.
Toledo to Win the Conference, +280
The Rockets were the class of the MAC West, and they should again be one of the best in the league. Picking up Miami-Ohio and Ohio from the old MAC East isn’t great, but both of them come to the Glass Bowl. The road games are forgiving, other than a trip to Northern Illinois, but Toledo was going to have to make that one anyway.
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Whether this bet pays depends on whether the Rockets continue their ascent on defense and improve their blocking. None of the five starters from last year return for Toledo’s line, which could cause some early struggles. But unlike some MAC teams, Jason Candle’s squad has two forgiving games in Duquesne and Massachusetts to get its identity figured out. The Rockets should be fine.
Northern Illinois to Play for the Title, +260
No school has more appearances in the MAC title game than the Huskies, who have won three of their past four trips to Detroit. Northern Illinois now knows it doesn’t have to beat Toledo to make the league title game, and that works out well for the Huskies. They have one of the toughest running games in the conference, and they know how to win with their defense.
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If Trayvon Rudolph can stay healthy, NIU has the kind of difference-maker that few teams at this level can boast. The Huskies are much more content to run the ball and grind games out, but they will take a chance with Rudolph when it’s there. That should make a big difference.
Kent State Under 2.5 Wins (+115)
This is going to get worse before it gets better. Kent State has one of the most cash-strapped athletic departments in FBS, which led former coach Sean Lewis to regularly offer his team up as a sacrifice to the Power 5. Lewis figured he’d make it up in the MAC while paying his school’s bills, and he was often right. But when he left to spend a year in Boulder and then moved on to San Diego State, Kent State had a brutal schedule without its master architect and crashed to 2-10.
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It seems impossible, but Kent State’s schedule is actually worse than last year’s behemoth. Last year, the Golden Flashes played two Power 5 opponents in Central Florida and Arkansas, and the Golden Knights were in their first year at that level. This year, the Flashes open at Pitt and then face Tennessee and Penn State in consecutive weeks. Even the FCS game is no sure thing; Saint Francis plays decent FCS football and nearly beat Akron two years ago.
Winning that game would help, but Kent State still needs to find two wins in MAC play. With the rest of the league consistently getting better, that looks unlikely.
Eastern Michigan Over 4.5 Wins (-135)
Famously, Eastern Michigan is the only school in the MAC that has never made it to Detroit. It’s also the closest school in the league to Detroit, so you can imagine how annoying that is for the Eagles. They’re probably not getting there this year either, but they should have a chance at a bowl game.
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In Massachusetts, Jacksonville State and Saint Francis, the Eagles at least give themselves a chance to start 3-1. (They’re not beating Washington.) From there, it’s a matter of finding wins in the MAC, and they have the good fortune to get both Akron and Kent State this season, along with Buffalo. Toledo and Miami-Ohio are both on this schedule, but both have to come to The Factory. Six wins is realistic.
