2022 College Football Futures | MAC

Welcome to another edition of our conference preview series. Ryan Boyles and I will share our conference previews along with win totals for every team. Today we are going to look at the MAC Conference and I’ll tell you what I see for each team that hopefully can make you some money. 

A quick reminder for our readers: these odds are on DraftKings Sportsbook. The lines from DraftKings may vary depending on when you read these articles.

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East Division:

Miami Ohio Redhawks (7 Wins): Over

The Redhawks should be the best team in the East Division. They also boast the best starting quarterback in the conference in Brett Gabbert. Not to mention having the deepest and most talented offensive line of scrimmage. The question is can they play enough defense? The non-conference schedule does them no favors facing three solid programs in Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Northwestern. I like the over here given how I expect the Redhawks to dominate their MAC schedule. Avoiding teams like Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo will ultimately be the difference in why they reach eight wins and cash the over. 

Key Games: At Kentucky, vs Cincy, At Northwestern, At Northern Illinois 

Kent State Golden Flashes (5.5 Wins): Over

The Golden Flashes might lose three of their non-conference games by at least 20 points however they will be getting a sweet pay-day. Traveling to conference powers Washington, Oklahoma, and Georgia is a death sentence but just might help them prepare for the MAC. After Oct. 15 I see the Golden Flashes going on a run through their schedule and hitting the plus money six-win total. Kent State is more than talented to reach a bowl game this year, and I think they do just that. 

Key Games: At Washington, At Oklahoma, At Georgia, At Miami Ohio

Ohio Bobcats (5.5 Wins): Under

This win total is guaranteed to be a sweaty one. The Bobcats were absolutely brutal on offense in 2021 and I expect much of the same this year. Ohio does boast a solid defensive group which should keep them in most contests. Facing Iowa State and Penn State in the non-conference gives them no favors which is why I favor the under. Not overly confident about this play, so proceed with caution but let's go under for the Bobcats.

Key Games: At Penn State, At Iowa State, At Miami Ohio, At Ball State

Buffalo Bulls (5 Wins): Under/Push 

The Bulls have six of their first nine games on the road, including their first four conference games. The schedule is an absolute gauntlet including road trips to Maryland, Coastal Carolina, and Central Michigan. I just don’t trust quarterback Matt Myers to be able to handle that pressure on the offense. I lean toward the under with the Bulls but have a feeling a push is likely. Buffalo will lean on their defensive attack with solid linebacker play but the schedule is too daunting for me to take over.

Key Games: At Maryland, At Coastal Carolina, vs Miami Ohio, vs Toledo

Bowling Green Falcons (4 Wins): Under/Push

Bowling Green is slightly improving in the MAC conference. Their four-win total indicates that, however, I still think the majority of the MAC schedule will get the best of the Falcons. The value with this pick is clearly on the under at plus money. I don’t see the Falcons reaching five wins so why not take the value play? Other than the matchup with Akron, I don’t see the Falcons being favored in any conference game.

Key Games: At UCLA, At Miss State, vs Buffalo, vs Kent State

Akron Zips (2.5 Wins): Under

The Akron Zips are consistently one of the worst division-one teams in the sport. The Zips will only be favored in one contest this year against FCS St. Francis (PA). I see no path for the Zips to reach three wins because that requires two major upsets. Also getting the under at only -130 is also a steal when you're dealing with a team that hasn’t won more than two games since 2018.

Key Games: At Michigan State, At Tennessee, vs Bowling Green, vs Eastern Michigan 

West Division: 

Central Michigan Chippewas (7.5 Wins): Over

This is the Chippewas year I believe. They return their big-3 offensive weapons; quarterback Daniel Richardson, running back Lew Nicholls III, and wide receiver Dallas Dixon. The schedule is for sure a challenge for Central Michigan but I do think they are the most talented group in the MAC. It will be a battle all year with rival Toledo, but I think the Chippewas beat the Rockets out for the conference title and cash the over 7.5 win total.

Key Games: At Oklahoma State, At Penn State, At Toledo, At Northern Illinois 

Toledo Rockets (8 Wins): Over/Push

I think the Rockets end with the same amount of wins as the Chippewas at eight. The difference will be the head-to-head matchup which I think Central Michigan prevails even on the road. The Rockets will be a solid team in 2022 as they return starters on both sides of the ball. The one weakness I see in this group is the wide receiver position where they only return one key guy in Devin Maddox. I think the Rockets do push the win total but look towards the San Diego State and Central Michigan matchups where they could cash the over.

Key Games: At Ohio State, At San Diego State, vs Central Michigan, At Northern Illinois 

Northern Illinois Huskies (7 Wins): Over

The Huskies are one of the hardest groups to predict. They return slinging quarterback Rocky Limbardi to the mix but the defense remains a huge question mark. The schedule has so many toss-up games, but it’s important to note their most difficult conference games are at home. At plus money, I lean toward the over but more in favor of the push. Northern Illinois will be a joy to watch so let’s take their over and ride the journey together. 

Key Games: vs Vandy, At Kentucky, vs Toledo, vs Central Michigan 

Western Michigan Broncos (6 Wins): Under

Western Michigan has way too much turnover on the offensive side of the ball to not take their under. Getting the under at plus money is also extremely enticing. The non-conference schedule is absolutely brutal as well with challenges at Michigan State, vs Pitt, and At San Jose State. The Broncos also have to travel to my projected conference winners in Miami Ohio and Central Michigan. With the turnover, the strength of schedule, and plus money value slam the under!

Key Games: At Michigan State, vs Pitt, At Miami Ohio, At Central Michigan 

Eastern Michigan Eagles (5.5 Wins): Over

The MAC Conference is one of the most volatile leagues in the country. That makes it hard to bet conference totals. I like the over with the Eagles because their offensive line is very strong and I think because of that they will have an advantage over most MAC teams. The schedule however makes it difficult to reach a bowl game. It is vital for the Eagles to take advantage of playing the top of the league mostly at home and because of that, I think they upset someone and reach six wins.

Key Games: At Arizona State, vs Buffalo, vs Toledo, vs Central Michigan 

Ball State Cardinals (4.5 Wins): Over

The Cardinals should be the worst team in the West Division. They will take a step back in 2022 but return just enough talent to hit the over. The key component I want to stress is they must get to four wins by the end of October. The month of November is basically hell on earth for MAC standards and I only see them maybe beating Ohio. So Ball State needs to take advantage of a weaker early season schedule and we will cash the over.

Key Games: At Tennessee, vs Northern Illinois, At Kent State, At Toledo