2016 MAC Conference Season Football Preview
Looking for MAC Conference 2016 predictions? There is nothing like a little MACtion right? This year we should have another strong dose of it as several teams have a great shot as emerging as the league champ this season.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
The MAC is definitely one of those unbalanced leagues, perhaps the most unbalanced for this season as maybe the top four teams in the conference reside in one division.
According to the odds the West will feature the top three title contenders in Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Toledo with Bowling Green the only program from the East cracking the top four.
Those programs have definitely been the best in the conference the past few seasons and this season’s round robin should be as exciting as ever.
Even though they come in at #4 (in terms of odds) don’t sleep on the Falcons as their path to the title game will certainly be the easiest. Also, don’t sleep on Central Michigan either with the return of all name team QB Cooper Rush.
The following is a look at the top contenders in MAC and their odds to win the league title.
MAC Conference 2016 Odds: Western Michigan Broncos +300
WMU has the top returning quarterback in the league (Zach Terrell) but the key to their taking the division and the ultimately the conference this season may lie with scheduling.
Last year their two losses were to Northern Illinois and Bowling Green – who played in the title game.
This season BGSU is not on the schedule and they get to host division rivals NIU and Toledo. Heading into year 4 and with a slew of returning starters on both sides of the ball this is the season for coach P.J. Fleck.
They could get some national buzz too if they win at Northwestern to start the season.
MAC Conference 2016 Odds: Northern Illinois Huskies +525
When you talk MAC you have to consider the Huskies. Last year was a “down year” but they still made it to the conference title game – they just didn’t win double digit games. Don’t be duped into thinking that their eight wins last year means the program is falling off the map.
For 2016, they will have one of the best backfields in the conference with QB Drew Hare and Joel Boagnon among 13 returning starters. Three Starters return on the offensive line and they will be key in pounding away at opponents as the Huskies are want to do.
Western Michigan will be a road game this season and that is likely the division decider right there.
Usually NIU takes on a couple of power conference teams early on but that is not the case this season. Perhaps they will be a little less beaten down as a result.
MAC Conference 2016 Odds: Toledo Rockets +525
The Rockets has a very underrated season last year going 10-2 including a road win over Arkansas to start the year – though I guess it was not too underrated since their coach jumped to a bigger program.
The only losses were to the teams above by 5 points each. Not too much of a gap to bridge, right?
Well this season both of those games will be on the road and they will be breaking in new coach Jason Candle, who coached his first game in their bowl win over Temple.
They have eight returning returning starters on offense including four on the line but their will be transition at QB. Logan Woodside made 10 starts two years ago so he is not totally green. The Rockets will be good but it is easy to slot them here.
MAC Conference 2016 Odds: Bowling Green Falcons +550
The Falcons are undergoing some big transitions too this season, yet they remain the best team in the lighter East Division. Gone is well respected coach Dino Babers.
Only time will tell if he can be successful at Syracuse but he led the Falcons to an 18-9 record the last couple of seasons.
Also gone this season is Matt Johnson at QB, he only threw for nearly 5000 yards and 50 TDs a season ago. Like Toledo they are turning to an experienced backup in James Knapke and are not expected to change the style of play.
The schedule is tough with crossover trips to Toledo and Northern Illinois but this squad should win all of its intra-division games and that will be enough to put them over the top and back into the title game.
I think you have to consider the Falcons as your best value play given their path to at least the title game should be that much easier.
MAC Conference 2016 Odds
- Western Michigan +300
- Northern Illinois +525
- Toledo +525
- Bowling Green +550
- Akron +700
- Central Michigan +700
- Ohio +700
- Buffalo +1500
- Kent State +1500
- Miami Ohio +1800
- Ball State +4000
- Eastern Michigan +10000
MAC Conference: 2016 Prediction
Bowling Green +550 (Dark Horse? Kent State +1500)
What do you think about our MAC Conference 2016 Predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2016!
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