MACtion, the portmanteau that appropriately sums up the rivalries between teams of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), returns this week with five middle-of-the-week games and all three of the conference teams from Michigan taking the field.
On Tuesday, the Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-3 overall, 2-2 MAC) will take a short trip down US 23 to visit the Toledo Rockets (4-4 overall, 2-2 MAC). The next day, the Central Michigan Chippewas (4-4 overall, 2-2 MAC) travel to Kalamazoo to take on the Western Michigan Broncos (5-3 overall, 2-2 MAC). Tuesday’s game is at 7:30 pm ET, while Wednesday’s matchup is at 7 pm ET.
The Eagles are coming off a 55-24 win over the Bowling Green Falcons, while the Rockets handed the Broncos one of their two conference losses after prevailing 34-15. The Chips lost a heartbreaker to the Northern Illinois Huskies, 39-38, after a bad snap scuttled what would have been a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation.
Oddsmakers firmly believe that Toledo will defeat Eastern Michigan by 8.5 to 9.5 points, with an over/under ranging from 52.5 to 54 points. They also believe Western Michigan will prevail by 9.5 to 10 points, with an over/under of 66.5 to 67.5 points.
None of the teams in action this week can really afford a loss, considering they are all 2-2 in the MAC and two games behind the Huskies. The Broncos are the only team that has not yet played Northern Illinois, but they will have to travel to DeKalb, Illinois, for their marquee matchup on November 23. If the Huskies win out, they should be in the MAC Championship Game in Detroit on December 4.
Odds for Eagles @ Rockets, 7:30 pm ET, Tuesday, Nov. 2
| Sportsbook | Team | Spread | Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetRivers MI | Eastern Michigan | +9.5 (-109) | +270 | O 53 (-113) |
| Toledo | -9.5 (-112) | -385 | U 53 (-108) | |
| BetMGM MI | Eastern Michigan | +8.5 (-110) | +290 | O 52.5 (-110) |
| Toledo | -8.5 (-110) | -375 | U 52.5 (-110) | |
| FanDuel MI | Eastern Michigan | +8.5 (-110) | +270 | O 53.5 (-114) |
| Toledo | -8.5 (-110) | -355 | U 53.5 (-106) | |
| FOX Bet MI | Eastern Michigan | +8.5 (-110) | +260 | O 54 (-110) |
| Toledo | -8.5 (-110) | -333 | U 54 (-110) |
Odds for Chippewas @ Broncos, 7 pm ET, Wednesday, Nov. 3
| Sportsbook | Team | Spread | Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetRivers MI | Central Michigan | +10 (-109) | +250 | O 67.5 (-110) |
| Western Michigan | -10 (-112) | -335 | U 67.5 (-110) | |
| BetMGM MI | Central Michigan | +10 (-110) | +300 | O 66.5 (-110) |
| Western Michigan | -10 (-110) | -375 | U 66.5 (-110) | |
| FanDuel MI | Central Michigan | +9.5 (-104) | +280 | O 67.5 (-110) |
| Western Michigan | -9.5 (-118) | -370 | U 67.5 (-110) | |
| FOX Bet MI | Central Michigan | +10 (-110) | +280 | O 67.5 (-110) |
| Western Michigan | -10 (-110) | -350 | U 67.5 (-110) |
Notes on the games
At FOX Bet, the sportsbook is offering two Bet Boosts in Wednesday’s matchup between Central and Western Michigan: Triple Your Money if the first score in the game is a touchdown by Central Michigan (+200), and (+225) if Western Michigan scores a touchdown in every quarter.
Other items of note:
- While the Eagles average more points per game (32.8) than the Rockets (28.5), Toledo has a better defense, allowing only 18.3 points per game, compared to 24.9 for Eastern Michigan. In terms of yardage allowed per game, Toledo also holds the edge, 326 to 393.4.
- The Chips and Broncos both average 29 points per game, but Western Michigan allows fewer points (27.3) than Central does (28.4). The Broncos also have a stingier defense, allowing 323 total yards compared to 409.9 for the Chips.
Other MACtion this weekend
There are three other MAC football games this week. None of the six teams are from Michigan, but they are conference rivals that sports bettors in the Great Lakes State should be familiar with.
On Tuesday, the Ball State Cardinals (4-4 overall, 2-2 MAC) visit the Akron Zips (2-6 overall, 1-3 MAC). Meanwhile, the Miami (OH) RedHawks (4-4 overall, 3-1 MAC) travel to Athens, Ohio, to meet their in-state rival, the Ohio Bobcats (1-7 overall, 1-3 MAC). The Cardinals are coming off an 24-17 loss to the RedHawks, while the Zips are still shaking off a 45-10 beatdown by the Buffalo Bulls.
In the other Wednesday matchup, Northern Illinois (6-2 overall, 4-0 MAC), the only undefeated team remaining in the MAC, put their record on the line against the Kent State Golden Flashes (4-4 overall, 3-1 MAC). The Huskies escaped with the aforementioned 39-38 win over Central Michigan, while the Golden Flashes bested the Bobcats, 34-27. Kent State is 3-0 at home, but the Huskies are 3-1 as the visitors. Their only loss was a 63-10 blowout to the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.
