One of the most beloved conferences in the world of college football betting is the MAC, with mid-week action coming from this league elevating it to center stage late in conference play. But the entire season in the MAC is full of intrigue, both on Saturdays and during the week. Here, we look at the MAC championship betting landscape and what bettors need to keep in mind when betting this league this year.
MAC Football Championship Odds
Team | MAC Championship Odds |
Miami (OH) | +240 |
Toledo | +260 |
Northern Illinois | +650 |
Bowling Green | +700 |
Western Michigan | +800 |
Ohio | +1000 |
Central Michigan | +1400 |
Eastern Michigan | +2000 |
Ball State | +3000 |
Buffalo | +3000 |
Akron | +8000 |
Kent State | +12500 |
MAC Football Championship Betting Preview
The two favorites to win the MAC in 2024 are the two teams that played in the MAC title game in 2023. The Miami (OH) Redhawks won the MAC championship over the Toledo Rockets last season and Miami is a slight favorite over Toledo to do it again this year. But we could very well see these teams face off in the conference championship game again this year according to the MAC championship betting odds.
Miami’s defense was simply phenomenal in conference play last season, as they allowed just 86 points in their eight conference games during the regular season. That will be a hard number to replicate this coming season. However, you can’t rule it out, as the Redhawks defense will be expected to carry them through conference play again in 2024.
Outside of the two favorites to win the MAC, there are a few teams that could very well make a run to the conference title themselves. Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Ohio, and Western Michigan all have plenty of talent by MAC standards. Bettors need to remember not to judge these teams entirely based on their non-conference performances early in the season, as they may look bad against power conference teams. But the MAC title race could certainly come down to more than just two teams.
MAC Football Conference Betting & Handicapping
The MAC is a breeding ground for coaches, so coaches come, and coaches go. Teams get into a form cycle and play well for a few years and then fade away into oblivion. Northern Illinois was a constant in this league with four conference titles from 2011-18 and six straight Conference Championship Game appearances from 2010-15, fell on hard times from 2018-2020, and then won the Conference Championship Game again in 2021. Buffalo had a similar run over a few years before Lance Leipold jumped ship.
It can be a tough conference to handicap from a futures standpoint because just about anybody can beat just about anybody else in a given week. Very little defense is played in this conference, so the games are high-variance and often high-scoring. That kind of environment does make it challenging to pinpoint a winner and the best team.
Expect the unexpected in the MAC, where roster turnover and personnel changes are common, and teams have a hard time sustaining consistency as a result.
MAC Football Championship History
Year | MAC Champion |
---|---|
2023 | Miami (OH) |
2022 | Toledo |
2021 | Northern Illinois |
2020 | Ball State |
2019 | Miami (OH) |
2018 | Northern Illinois |
2017 | Toledo |
2016 | Western Michigan |
2015 | Bowling Green |
2014 | Northern Illinois |
2013 | Bowling Green |
2012 | Northern Illinois |
MAC Football Championship Wins
All Time Wins | MAC Team | Last Yr Won |
---|---|---|
12 | Toledo | 2022 |
11 | Miami (OH) | 2023 |
9 | Bowling Green | 2015 |
7 | Central Michigan | 2009 |
6 | Northern Illinois | 2021 |
6 | Ball State | 2020 |
5 | Marshall | 2002 |
3 | Western Michigan | 2016 |
3 | Ohio | 1968 |
1 | Buffalo | 2008 |
1 | Akron | 2005 |
1 | Eastern Michigan | 1987 |
1 | Kent State | 1972 |