Miami-Ohio, Toledo Clear Frontrunners in MAC
RedHawks Top 2024 MAC Championship Odds at +220
Miami (Ohio) and Toledo are the frontrunners to win the Mid-American Conference, but a handful of other teams could challenge them for league supremacy. In all, six schools currently have 10/1 odds or better to win the MAC.
Without further ado, let’s break down the 2024 NCAAF MAC Championship odds.
FAVORITE
Miami (Ohio) (+220)
Miami is poised to make a serious run at becoming the Mid-American Conference’s first repeat champion since Northern Illinois in 2012. The RedHawks retained a bulk of talent from last season’s 11-win team, including quarterback Brett Gabbert (1,634 yards, 14 TD, 5 INT).
The RedHawks, who open MAC play on Oct. 5 at Toledo, are seeking their fourth straight bowl appearance under head coach Chuck Martin. They went 8-1 in MAC play in 2023, their eighth time in 10 seasons finishing .500 or better against conference opponents.
The RedHawks (projected for 8.5 wins) aren’t expected to be nearly as dominant as last season, but they still may be good enough to defend their crown.
TOP CONTENDER
Toledo (+260)
Toledo faces more uncertainty after losing quarterback and MAC MVP Dequan Finn to Baylor and a host of critical defensive contributors to the NFL. Even so, the Rockets remain among the teams-to-beat in the conference.
The Rockets have finished .500 or better in all eight seasons under head coach Jason Candle, including 11-3 (8-1 MAC) in 2023. They made their third consecutive bowl appearance, falling 16-15 to Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl.
In addition to Finn, the Rockets also lost running back Peny Boone, who rushed for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. The MAC Offensive Player of the Year transferred to Louisville.
They won’t be easy to replace, but Candle has proven capable of sustaining success. With Toledo projected for 8.5 wins, this year should be no different.
NEXT IN LINE
Bowling Green (+650)
Expectations are reasonably high following Bowling Green’s first winning season since 2015. The Falcons went 7-6 (5-3 MAC) and made their second straight appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl, losing 30-24 to Minnesota.
Head coach Scott Loeffler — who endured an 0-5 finish during the COVID-interrupted 2020 campaign — clearly has the Falcons on the right track, and building off last year will be key. There’s work to be done on both sides of the ball, but running back Terion Stewart (762 yards, 8 TD) and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (623 yards, 6 TD) figure to be among the top players in the conference.
The Falcons (projected for 6.5 wins) could challenge Miami and Toledo atop the MAC if things break right. Be sure to keep that in mind when making your NCAAF picks.
Northern Illinois (+700)
Northern Illinois snapped a string of seven straight bowl losses last season, edging Arkansas State 21-19 in the Camellia Bowl to finish 7-6 (5-3 MAC). It marked the Huskies’ second winning season in five years under head coach Thomas Hammock.
All-MAC running back Antario Brown (1,296 yards, 10 TD) returns, giving the Huskies some much-needed stability on offense. There’s less certainty at quarterback, where Ethan Hampton is competing for the No. 1 job after serving as Rocky Lombardi’s backup. That situation could potentially make or break the Huskies’ season.
With back-to-back games against Bowling Green (Oct. 12) and Toledo (Oct. 19) to open MAC play, the Huskies will be tested early. They are projected for 6.5 wins.
Western Michigan (+800)
Lance Taylor went 4-8 in his first season as head coach, with Western Michigan posting a losing record (3-5) in MAC play for the first time since 2013.
Despite those struggles, it’s reasonable to expect better results in Year Two. Stability on offense is key. Hayden Wolff is back at quarterback as a fifth-year senior. The Broncos also return running back Jalen Buckley, who ran for 1,003 yards and was the MAC Freshman of the Year.
Seven starters also return on defense.
The Broncos are among several MAC teams projected for 6.5 wins.
Ohio (+1000)
Following back-to-back 10-win seasons, head coach Tim Albin has his hands full. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a three-year starter and former MAC Player of the Year, transferred to Indiana. Leading rusher Sieh Bangura (811 yards, 7 TD) also departed, leaving for Minnesota.
The Bobcats also have to replace their top seven pass-catchers and part of their offensive line.
UCF transfer Parker Navarro is set to take over at quarterback, but it’s no guarantee he’ll fit as seamlessly as Rourke.
Some regression is expected, which explains why Ohio’s 2024 NCAAF MAC Championship odds are only 10/1. The Bobcats (projected for 6.5 wins) are 13-3 in MAC play over the last two seasons, with victories in the Arizona and Myrtle Beach Bowls.
Central Michigan (+1600)
Who’s at quarterback? That’s the biggest question facing head coach Jim McElwain as he seeks to improve on a 5-7 finish (3-5 MAC). The Chippewas are just 9-15 since winning the Sun Bowl in 2021.
Bert Emanuel Jr. is in his third season with the program, though he’s shown more abilities as a runner than passer. Iowa transfer Joe Labas and freshman Jadyn Glasser are also in the mix for the starting job.
Once that competition’s settled, the rest of the offense should hopefully fall into place. That’s important to remember when analyzing the college football point spreads.
LONGSHOTS
Eastern Michigan (+3000)
Eastern Michigan has made three straight bowl games, but oddsmakers aren’t giving the Eagles much of a chance to win the MAC following last season’s 6-7 finish (4-4 MAC).
Cole Snyder, a graduate transfer from Buffalo, takes under center. In two seasons as the Bulls’ starter, Snyder threw 31 touchdowns compared to only 17 interceptions.
Buffalo (+3000)
Pete Lembo takes over at the helm for Maurice Linguist, who left to become the co-defensive coordinator at Alabama. Lembo has some familiarity with the MAC, having coached at Ball State from 2011-2015. He went 33-29 and made two bowl appearances over four seasons with the Cardinals.
Buffalo is just 10-14 in MAC play over the last three seasons.
Rest of the 2024 NCAAF MAC Championship odds : Ball State (+3500), Akron (+7000), Kent State (+25000)
For NCAAF prop bets, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
