Top College Football Odds and Best Bets Today (Own the Points in Ohio vs. Miami (OH) MACtion
For the second straight Tuesday, and no NBA games in sight, we've got MACtion on our television sets to wager on.
Three games are on the college football calendar in the state of Ohio this evening, beginning with the Eastern Michigan Eagles travelling to Akron to face the Zips on the road as a full touchdown underdog.
Thirty minutes later, Miami (Ohio) welcomes the Ohio Bobcats to town, as the 'Cats are a short road favorite in Oxford.
Then in the 8:00 p.m. ET hammer, Ball State heads to Toledo as the Cardinals and Rockets square off. The Rockets are an 11-point favorite at home, a game up in the MAC West standings on the Cardinals.
BetSided's Reed Wallach has laid out individual game previews and picks for all of tonight's action in the Mid-American Conference, which you can find in our College Football Expert Picks and Predictions page here.
Here are his best bets, along with the latest up-to-date odds for tonight's matchups:
Eastern Michigan vs. Akron Odds, Prediction and Pick
Eastern Michigan is the correct side with the far more explosive offense, although I don't always love to back a MAC team by a touchdown or more on the road.
The Eagles have moved Troy transfer Taylor Powell in and out of the lineup due to injury, but have still held up on offense. EMU ranks in the top 25 for third down conversion percentage, red zone touchdown percentage and also come in inside the top 50 in success rate.
They face an Akron squad that has struggled mightily on offense this season under first year offensive minded coach Joe Moorhead. They rank bottom 10 nationally in sacks allowed, explosive pass and rush rate.
EMU's defense isn't great, but Akron's defense is the real issue. The team is bottom 10 nationally in yards per play allowed and I don't think they can slow down the Eagles on offense.
Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio) Odds, Prediction and Pick
RedHawks quarterback Brett Gabbert is back after leading a top 25 passing offense last season, but I'm not sure if they can outlast Kurtis Rourke and this Bobcats team.
Rourke has come into his own this year, leading a passing game that is 10th in success rate and 25th in EPA/Pass. Miami has a solid secondary ranked13th in passing down success rate, but this Ohio defense scorched Buffalo for 45 points a week ago.
Ohio's defense has been a killer all season, outside the top 100 in success rate while allowing over eight yards per pass attempt. That's good enough for bottom 15 in college football.
With Miami's passing game now set up for success, I think we can see both teams push into the high 20's, leading me to back the over.
Ball State vs. Toledo Odds, Prediction and Pick
Backup quarterback Tucker Gleason led the team to victory after losing Dequan Finn on October 29th, throwing for three touchdowns in a 27-24 win over Eastern Michigan.
If Finn returns, that would give the Rockets a huge advantage, but I don't know if it will truly matter. I'm expecting a rested Toledo defense take control against a Ball State team that moves methodically, churning up clock and not relying on big plays downfield. The Rockets are top 20 in yards per play allowed and tackles for loss, which could be pivotal if the Cardinals have issues moving the ball and fall behind.
Toledo averages nearly five yards per carry and rank top 35 in explosive run rate, and I bet the Rockets grind this Ball State offense down. If we get Finn, this line should be closer to two touchdowns. If not, a double digit cover can still be had.
Get all of Reed's college football plays HERE!
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.