Football Previews/Predictions: MAC
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NCAA football betting doesn’t always have to be about betting on the BCS-contending juggernauts.
Sometimes, we can have tons of fun betting on the lesser-hyped divisions like the MAC. Who has the best shot to win the Mid-American Conference?
It’s natural to see Ball State as the favorite again after it went 12-0 last season. However, it’s important to remember that (a) Going 12-0 in the MAC is akin to winning the NFC West in NFL betting and (b) Ball State has nowhere to go but down this season. The Cardinals have to make do without star quarterback Nate Davis and coach Brady Hoke, both of whom left for greener pastures. Here’s a team what will have “undefeated” sportsbook value but may not play that way.
The Buffalo Bulls are popular sports betting online picks to win the MAC, largely because they return so many starters on both sides of the ball. They lose Drew Willy at quarterback, so they have to hope lanky lefty Zach Maynard can step up.
He’ll have a good supporting cast including James Starks, whose height leaves him open to big shots but who was great last year, running for 1,333 yards. The receiving corps should be strong too – especially Naaman Roosevelt, who caught over 100 balls a year ago.
Defensively, pretty much the whole unit returns for Buffalo. While they allowed way too many points last season, they were a ballhawk unit that forced turnovers galore. Look for a similar season of exciting, see-saw games for Buffalo.
Sorting through the 80 or so teams from Michigan in the MAC, Central Michigan tops the list after reaching the Motor City Bowl last season. It has a great chance to get back there with quarterback Dan LeFevour returning as a senior after tossing 21 touchdown passes versus just six interceptions last season.
He also ran for six scores on 592 yards, so you can bet he’ll be playing for a pro contract this season. Though the Chippewas have to replace Ontario Sneed at tailback, their solid stable of big, sticky-handed receivers is intact. Central Michigan’s defense was a liability last season but 10 starters return, so you have to assume in your football picks that it will improve on its 30.2 points allowed per game.
Some bettors prefer Western Michigan, which actually had a better record than Central last season, but betting software will tell you to stay away based on Western Michigan’s tough schedule. It plays Michigan and Indiana on the road to start the season and also faces Michigan State.
The offense, led by quarterback Tim Hiller, ranked 28th in the country last season and should be strong again. However, only three starters return to a defense that allowed a yucky 395.3 yards per contest last season.
Opponents may run up the score on the Broncos, especially when Western Michigan hits the road.
Pick: Buffalo Bulls
