We are heading into another pivotal week of NCAA football with multiple exciting rivalry games that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Arguably the biggest game this week is the battle between two powerhouses this season in Kent State and Buffalo. We will start there in this week’s online betting rundown of the MAC.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs Buffalo Bulls
College Football Odds: Buffalo -7.5
The 3-0 Golden Flashes will be taking on the 3-0 Buffalo Bulls in this battle between undefeated teams. For Kent State, this would be one of their best starts in school history if the Golden Flashes are able to pull away with a victory while it would be the second time in three years that Buffalo got off to a 4-0 start. Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum has thrown for 838 yards and nine touchdowns along with only one interception. His level of play is a big reason for the success. Meanwhile, Buffalo quarterback Kyle Vantrease has thrown for 602 yards, five touchdowns, and only one interception. But their rushing attack is averaging a whopping 261 yards per game. Buffalo has been consistently at the top of the standings the last few years, but Kent State comes into this game first place in total yards and total points scored this season. This is going to be a very high scoring game with the intensity level going through the roof. Kent State should surprise a lot of people this season and take the victory here to start off 4-0.
Pick: Kent State +7.5
Northern Illinois Huskies vs Western Michigan Broncos
College Football Odds: Western Michigan -19.5
Western Michigan is out to a 3-0 start, coming off a big win against Central Michigan. Their sophomore quarterback Kaleb Eleby has 928 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with only one interception. The Broncos’ offense is averaging a wild 50.3 points per game and 516 yards per game. They face off against Northern Illinois, which is 0-3. This is going to be a huge revenge game for the Broncos though, as they lost to Northern Illinois on Thanksgiving week last year, pushing them off their top spot at the time. Now, the Broncos come to get their revenge on the Huskies behind their new star player in D’Wayne Eskridge. He currently leads the nation in all-purpose yards along with yards per reception. He is going to be a huge factor and the Huskies are going to have a lot of trouble slowing him. Expect the Broncos to come out and look to dominate Northern Illinois right off the start en route to their huge revenge victory.
Pick: Western Michigan -19.5
Bowling Green Falcons vs Ohio Bobcats
College Football Odds: Ohio -25.5
Bowling Green is looking to bounce back after dropping to 0-3. The Falcons were unable to contain Buffalo, losing 42-17. Their quarterback Matt McDonald hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass, having 452 yards and three interceptions. They won’t get a much easier matchup against a well-rested Ohio team that saw its game canceled last week. The Bobcats sit at 1-1 and are led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke who has 323 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Neither team is flashy, which makes this game far harder to predict. It doesn’t look like either will dominate, but Ohio has had far more preparation time and rest for Bowling Green, which should help the Bobcats squeak out a win.
Pick: Ohio -25.5
Ball State Cardinals vs Toledo Rockets
College Football Odds: Toledo -9.5
The Cardinals are walking into this matchup at 2-1. Toledo also happens to be 2-1, which makes for an intense matchup. Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt was able to put up 214 yards and two touchdowns to go along with one interception in their last game out against Northern Illinois while Caleb Huntley took 25 carries and totaled 103 yards and a touchdown. For Toledo, the Rockets had Eli Peters and Carter Bradley combine for 298 passing yards and four touchdowns. This is definitely going to shape out as one of the best games of the week in the sportsbook with Toledo taking home the victory.
Pick: Toledo -9.5
Miami-OH Redhawks vs Akron Zips
College Football Odds: Miami-OH -14.5
The 1-1 RedHawks taking on the winless Zips. The RedHawks will have far more rest than Akron after seeing their game against Ohio canceled last week. Meanwhile, Akron is coming off a 69-35 loss at the hands of Kent State last week. Miami-OH quarterback AJ Mayer has thrown for 328 yards and four touchdowns with one interception but has completed less than 50% of his passes. Meanwhile, Akron quarterback Zach Gibson thrown for 497 yards, two touchdowns but four interceptions. Look for Miami-OH to target that weak Akron defense and put up a ton of points in this matchup that Akron will not be able to catch up to.
Pick: Miami-OH -14.5
Central Michigan Chippewas vs Eastern Michigan Eagles
College Football Odds: Central Michigan -7
Central Michigan is coming off a loss at the hands of the Western Michigan Broncos last week 52-44. The Chippewas were up big early stages but weren’t able to hold onto the lead. They were good on the offensive end but weren’t able to keep up with the number of yards that their defense was allowing to their opponent. They get a far easier matchup this week against the Eastern Michigan Eagles who just fell to 0-3 after their loss to the Toledo Rockets 42-28. The Eagles were down by as much as 38-7 in the second half and despite their rally, they weren’t able to get close enough for the win. Central Michigan should bounce back after their loss last week and drop the Eagles to 0-4 on the season while they move up to 3-1.
Pick: Central Michigan -7
