NCAA Football Betting Futures – 2011 Mid-American Conference Preview
We’re down to the nitty-gritty conferences in our 2011 college football previews. The Mid-American (MAC) certainly qualifies as one of them.
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While the MAC isn’t likely to produce a surprise powerhouse that even cracks the national top 25,it can still win you money if you bet it properly, and that’s all that really matters, right?
With odds of +200, Northern Illinois is the frontrunner this season. Though they lost coach Jerry Kill, who left for Minnesota, the Huskies should be fine with Dave Doeren taking over. He’s a former defensive co-ordinator at Wisconsin. 
Offensively, Northern Illinois is in reasonable shape. Chandler Harnish emerged as a legit dual threat quarterback last season, rushing for 838 yards while also throwing 21 touchdown passes versus just five picks. Even with Chad Spann gone as the starting tailback, the Huskies should score, as their entire offensive line returns. Defense is another story, though.
Just two starters return.
That makes the Huskies unpredictable.
The Temple Owls are right behind them at +250. To me, this is another team with more questions than answers. Between Mike Gerardi, Chester Stewart and Clinton Granger, they have no bona fide starting quarterback.
They’ve lost four All-MAC team members from their defense, including Muhammad Wilkerson, who was a coveted NFL draft pick. Head coach Al Golden bolted for Miami (FL) as well.
Still, Temple should have a solid running game with bruising Benard Pierce leading the charge and a solid pass rush led by Adrian Robinson and Morkeith Brown, who converts from tight end to defensive end.
Miami Ohio (+300) is also in the mix. This team went 10-4 a year ago and returns 17 starters. Zac Dysert was a serviceable starting quarterback for them last year but Austin Boucher led them to the MAC title and a victory it the GoDaddy.com bowl.
Does he deserve the first crack at the starting job? Miami returns nine players to a respectable defense that ranked 33rd in the nation last year. The biggest question mark: can the Redhawks run the ball?
They were horrible in that regard last year and they lost starter Thomas Merriweather this offseason.
Rounding out the top contenders is Toledo at +385. This team is in a similar situation to Miami in that it returns a ton of starters (18) and that it also has a quarterback controversy after its starter went down and was replaced by a more productive backup. Early similar to the Dysert-Boucher situation in Miami. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
It certainly seems like Terrance Owens deserves to start over Austin Dantin under center; he had far superior numbers. While Toledo wasn’t as strong statistically as Miami last season, it looks to have more playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Running back Adonis Thomas and dynamic wideout Eric Page, who stands just 5’1”, can make big plays happen.
Toledo’s “D” should also improve with the entire secondary returning.
Akron, Central Michigan, Ohio and Western Michigan all warrant consideration, sharing +1000 odds. Akron’s odds almost look like a typo. This team was 1-11 last year. Central Michigan could make things interesting if quarterback Ryan Radcliffe improves – which many people expect him to do.
Ohio’s quarterbacking situation is too muddy and its whole defensive front is gone. Western Michigan is the most interesting of this sleeper group; the Broncos return seven offensive starters, including quarterback Alex Carder and receiver Jordan White, who could be a dynamic duo.
THE FREE 2011 MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE PICK
I have a good feeling about Toledo this season. Its defense should improve and has some intriguing offensive playmakers. Hopefully it will install Owens at quarterback.
Then the offense will really open up and help Toledo to the MAC title.
Pick: Toledo +385
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One reply on “MAC Conference: NCAA Football Gambling Predictions | Futures”
Who wins the MAC conference in 2011 fellas? I want to hear from you!