While it may not be the best of the Group of Five conferences, nothing beats some good old-fashioned MAC-tion. And with the conference looking wide open, it could be more exciting than ever.
Unfortunately, with the conference still getting scheduled as big school warm-up games, it’s unlikely that we see a Mid-American Conference team in the now-expanded College Football Playoff.
That said, I have you covered with the lowdown on the college football odds for the upcoming 2024 Mid-American Conference campaign.
MAC predictions for 2024
- Northern Illinois to win the MAC (+750)
- Toledo Under 8.5 wins (-160)
- Bowling Green Over 6.5 wins (+118)
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
Odds to win the MAC
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
Toledo Rockets| Team |  |
|---|---|
 Bowling Green Falcons |
+650 |
 Western Michigan Broncos |
+650 |
 Northern Illinois Huskies |
+750 |
 Ohio Bobcats |
+1,200 |
 Central Michigan Chippewas |
+1,200 |
Odds as of 8-6.
| Team | |
|---|---|
 Eastern Michigan Eagles |
+3,100 |
 Ball State Cardinals |
+3,700 |
 Buffalo Bulls |
+4,200 |
 Akron Zips |
+6,500 |
 Kent State Golden Flashes |
+12,000 |
Odds as of 8-6.
With conference realignment and the transfer portal, the college football landscape has been more volatile than ever. Welcome back to the MAC, the most stable conference in college football, with all 12 members remaining part of the conference since 1999.
That doesn’t mean the MAC is scared of change, however. Not only do they treat us to mid-week MAC-tion come November, but starting this season, they have done away with divisions, meaning the two best teams will play in the conference title game.
The favorites
According to oddsmakers, there are two frontrunners to win the MAC this season and they are familiar faces in terms of MAC dominance.
Miami (OH) is well-positioned with quarterback Brett Gabbert returning for his senior season, playing behind one of the stronger offensive lines in the conference with four starters back. The RedHawks also boast arguably the best defense in the MAC.
On the other hand, Toledo's status as a conference favorite in 2024 is a testament to head coach Jason Candle's work. Despite returning just eight starters this season and needing to replace key players like quarterback Dequan Finn (now at Baylor) and corner Quinyon Mitchell (drafted to the NFL), the Rockets remain a strong contender.
The rest of the field
Once you get past Miami and Toledo, there are three teams in the +650 to +750 range that like their chances: Bowling Green, Western Michigan, and Northern Illinois.
The order of these teams may vary depending on who you ask, but you can’t count them out — especially considering there hasn’t been a repeat winner in the MAC since NIU did it in 2011 and 2012.
Bowling Green returns 15 starters, including former SEC QB Connor Bazelak. Meanwhile, Central Michigan returns an impressive 17 starters and avoids both Miami and Toledo on its schedule.
Pick to win MAC
Northern Illinois
Odds: +750 at FanDuel
There are a whopping 30 seniors on this Huskies roster, so this team will be experienced and ready to go heading into the 2024 season.
NIU started last season 1-4 but finished 5-2, ending with a 5-3 record in MAC play. All three losses were by six points or fewer, including a two-point loss at Toledo.
The Huskies return their top two running backs, Antario Brown and Gavin Williams. Brown, a first-team All-MAC selection, rushed for 1,296 yards at 6.1 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns. They will also benefit from what should be the best offensive line in the conference.
Even with QB Rocky Lombardi gone, I believe there is enough talent and experience on both sides of the ball for the Huskies to compete for another MAC title.
MAC best bets for 2024
Toledo Under 8.5 wins
Odds: -160 at bet365
With only eight returning starters — four each on offense and defense — Toledo faces some challenges. QB Dequan Finn, who I believe was the best player in the MAC last season, is gone, and Tucker Gleason Jr. is expected to take over under center.
Although the program should start the year 2-0, the Rockets will then face tough matchups against Mississippi State and Western Kentucky before taking on the four toughest MAC opponents in a six-week stretch.
The MAC can be unpredictable, especially with mid-week MAC-tion starting in November. I project only five surefire wins on Toledo’s schedule, so their win total of 8.5 seems a bit optimistic given the number of returning starters.
Bowling Green Over 6.5 wins
Odds: +118 at FanDuel
You can see what Scot Loeffler has been building at Bowling Green after some tough years early in his tenure.
Last year, Bowling Green went 5-3 in MAC play, which included a 1-point loss to Toledo in a game where they led 28-10. The Falcons ended the year playing Minnesota tough in the Quick Lane Bowl, losing by just six points.
Heading into 2024, the Falcons have qualified for bowl games in back-to-back years, and this should be Loeffler’s best roster yet. With 15 returning starters, they are poised to be one of the strongest teams in the trenches, which is always important in the MAC.
Additionally, they get another year of Connor Bazelak under center. The former Missouri and Indiana QB threw for 1,935 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
After a cupcake matchup against Fordham, Bowling Green faces back-to-back paycheck losses with trips to Happy Valley and Kyle Field. However, things then open up for the Falcons, and I have them favored in six of their next eight games before a potentially pivotal season finale when they host Miami (OH).
At plus money, I like Bowling Green to at least match their seven wins from last season.
Heisman Trophy insights
There are currently zero MAC players on the board to win the Heisman, and the last finalist the MAC had for college football’s most prestigious award came back in 2013 courtesy of NIU’s Jordan Lynch.
Lynch had an absolute monster season for the Huskies, throwing for 2,892 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,920 yards and 23 scores. I'm not sure there's a player in the conference right now capable of a season like that.
Miami (OH) pivot Brett Gabbert is arguably the conference's top quarterback heading into 2024, having thrown for 1,634 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.
More College Football conference predictions
MAC stat to know
There is only one first-year coach in the MAC this season, and he's not a newbie.
Former Ball State head coach Pete Lembo has returned to the conference to take the top job at Buffalo, and this continuity means that results from the previous season can hold a bit more weight than in some of the bigger conferences.
Not intended for use in MA.
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