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2023 MAC College Football Preview: Odds to Win Conference, Win Totals and Predictions

Can Toledo repeat as MAC champs? Oddsmakers have installed the Rockets as favorites in what could be a crowded title race.

By Reed Wallach

Dec 20, 2022; Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Toledo Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn (7) throws a pass
Dec 20, 2022; Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Toledo Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn (7) throws a pass / Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
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Toledo captured the MAC crown for the first time since 2017 last year and the first time under head coach Jason Candle, and will look to defend its crown and become the first team in more than a decade to win back-to-back MAC titles.

While quarterback Dequan Finn returns for the Rockets, there are plenty of other veteran quarterbacks interested in breaking through in the MAC, including Ohio's Kurtis Rourke, Norther Illinois' Rocky Lombardi and Miami (Ohio) signal caller Brett Gabbert.

The MAC has been a conference of parity, who can we count on in 2023. Before getting to a dark horse pick and our best bet, here are the win totals and conference title odds:

MAC Win Totals

  • Akron: 3.5 (Over -140/Under +115)
  • Ball State: 4.5 (Over -145/Under +120)
  • Bowling Green: 5 (Over +130/Under -155)
  • Buffalo: 6.5 (Over +105/Under -125)
  • Central Michigan: 5.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
  • Eastern Michigan: 7 (Over -135/Under +110)
  • Kent State: 2.5 (Over +105/Under -125)
  • Miami (Ohio): 6.5 (Over -170/Under +135)
  • Northern Illinois: 6.5 (Over +135/Under -165)
  • Ohio: 7.5 (Over -115/Under -105)
  • Toledo: 9 (Over -120/Under -105)
  • Western Michigan: 3.5 (Over -130/Under +105)

MAC Conference Championship Winner

MAC Dark Horse Winner: Northern Illinois (+2500)

It's rare that you see a team win a conference title two years ago, succumb to a ton of injuries the following year, and still have all key contributors available in this coming season. The Huskies still have its entire backfield from it's MAC title team in 2021 available and six offensive linemen that have starting experience back.

Rocky Lombardi missed most of the season and will return for his seventh (!) season under center and will be flanked by Trayvon Rudolph, who rushed for nearly 900 yards and seven touchdowns in the title winning 2021 campaign. Further, the likes of Antonio Brown and Iowa transfer Gavin Williams will play a role at running back.

The offense still managed to be around the national average despite hardly having Lombardi and starting a ton of underclassmen on the offensive line, and should be much better with far better health variance.

The defense will be the weak point of the roster, but the team has plenty of experience with 17 players back that saw at least 100 snaps last season. The defense was outside the top 100 in key stats such as success rate, red zone touchdown percentage allowed and points per drive allowed, but MAC football is very fickle, teams make jumps quickly, and NIU is supplied with experience, a good starting point for a team that figures to bolster a strong offense.

Just two yeas ago this team won it all behind a 9-5 regular season and several contributors are back. It won't be easy with an early road trip to Toledo, but I think the Huskies should be priced closer to the top group than the bottom.

MAC Championship Pick: Ohio (+270)

The Bobcats came up short in the MAC Championship game without one of the best quarterbacks amongst the Group of Five ranks in Rourke, who tore his ACL in the second to last game of the season. However, Rourke should be a full go at the very least by the start of conference play, if not Week 1.

He anchors a unit that returns 84% of production, per ESPN, including 1,000 yard rusher Sieh Bangura and wide receiver Sam Wiglusz (74 catches and 11 touchdowns).

The defense was bottom half of the MAC, but bolstered an aggressive style that was 14th in the country in tackles for loss and top 10 in turnovers gained. With the best quarterback in the conference, the defense focused on trying to make game changing plays.

I expect a similar recipe from the team this year, but the MAC East sets up nicely for the Bobcats, who host Miami (Ohio) in Week 9. The team projects as a favorite or an underdog of three or less in every MAC game this season. With a healthy Rourke, I'll take a chance on the Bobcats taking the next step and winning its first conference title since 1968.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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