MACtion is back.
Nothing says "college football" quite like a snowy Tuesday night in the Glass Bowl. While we have to wait a few months for midweek MACtion, we don't have to wait to get some bets down.
Action Network expert and "G5 Deep Dive" co-host Joshua "Duck" Nunn jumped in to preview the MAC in 2025 and dish out his top futures and win totals plays for the season.
So, whether you're wondering if Toledo (+230) can make it to Detroit or trying to figure out if Kent State (+20000) can win a single game, we have you covered.
Let's take a look at our 2025 MAC Preview and college football picks for the upcoming NCAAF season.
2025 MAC Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Toledo | +230 |
| Ohio | +320 |
| Buffalo | +400 |
| Miami (OH) | +700 |
| Bowling Green | +1000 |
| Northern Illinois | +1200 |
| Western Michigan | +1600 |
| Central Michigan | +2000 |
| Eastern Michigan | +3000 |
| UMass | +6000 |
| Ball State | +7000 |
| Kent State | +20000 |
All odds via DraftKings as of Thursday, Aug 7.
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The first couple of games this season are going to be solid tests for Toledo, especially with Kentucky and Western Kentucky coming up.
But once conference play kicks in, things should settle down a bit.
The Rockets are looking at a fairly manageable slate that includes Western Michigan, Akron, Bowling Green and Kent State. Then there’s that oddball trip to Washington State, which is something MAC teams don’t usually have.
If Toledo can get past those early challenges and push past the 8.5-win threshold, it'll take on a Northern Illinois team that might be trending downward at that point in the season.
The real key matchup to keep an eye on is the Week 12 game at Miami (OH). That "reunion" with Dequan Finn heading back into MAC play is going to be huge for the team’s futures and whether or not they make it to Detroit.
After that, it wraps up with Ball State and Central Michigan, so the schedule looks pretty favorable.
Honestly, it’s tough to see this squad dropping more than one conference game. Toledo, year in and year out, boasts top-end talent in the MAC and has very few weaknesses.
Tucker Gleason should be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference in 2025. He has plenty of experience and is more mobile than many give him credit for.
Linebacker depth is the one spot that raises some eyebrows, but overall, this group should take care of business.
Of course, there’s always the Jason Candle factor. There's typically one upset per year where the Rockets lose a game at home as double-digit favorites that nobody expects.
But aside from that, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Toledo finds itself back in Detroit come postseason time.
Pick: Toledo Over 8.5 Wins (Lean)
Last season was a nightmare for Kent State, and heading into 2025, things don’t look any better. After an already rough 2023, the Flashes showed a little grit and attitude early in their opener against Pittsburgh, and that was probably the high point.
They lost to FCS St. Francis (PA) on their home field, got shut out three times, and in three more games, managed just a single score.
Off the field, it was chaos, too. Head coach Kenni Burns got fired for cause just six weeks before fall camp, and defensive coordinator Kody Morgan bailed to become a position coach at an FCS program.
It’s honestly just a dumpster fire.
The transfer portal drained any talent they had, with standouts like defensive lineman Stephen Daley, wide receiver Chrishon McCray and linebacker Kam Olds moving on.
This roster looks nowhere near being a true FBS team. I don't project Kent State within nine points of any FBS opponent it faces this season, and I see it losing by 20-plus points at least five times.
In fact, beating Merrimack in the opener isn't a given at all.
I’d be shocked if the Golden Flashes manage to win more than one conference game. I even bet them to go under conference 1.5 wins this season.
For their three nonconference road games, I’d have to get at least 59.5 points just to back them.
Kent State’s situation is bleak. The roster is depleted and the coaching is uninspired, so it’s tough to imagine a season better than last year, when it went 0-12.
Pick: Kent State Under 1.5 Conference Wins (-180)
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Head coach Chuck Martin and Miami (OH) have never put too much stock in nonconference games, and Martin has done a solid job of rallying the team and getting it ready for MAC play, where they tend to perform pretty well.
What caught my attention was what Martin said at MAC Media Days about rebuilding the offensive line. It raised some eyebrows because it sounds like he’s not going to chase the transfer portal for new linemen. Instead, he’s comfortable with the group he has returning, and I get the feeling he knows exactly what he’s doing there.
I’m personally less worried about the O-line than most seem to be.
I’m also expecting a bit more out of the tight end room this year. The RedHawks got some really good size there, which could cause some matchup headaches for teams in the MAC.
Now, when it comes to the schedule, I think Miami (OH) is going to start slow in the win column. UNLV switched around its schedule, so Miami is coming off a bye week right after a tough road trip to Rutgers, which takes place after a game at Wisconsin.
They could easily start 0-3. If that happens and you believe Miami is a legitimate MAC title contender, I’d say don’t bet it now. Wait until they’re sitting at 0-3. The live in-season odds will pop up around +950 or even +1000 at multiple sportsbooks.
At that point, Miami could catch some momentum in MAC play and really start rolling. The last few games — against Ohio, Toledo and Buffalo — are going to be massive for how it finishes in the MAC standings and whether they get back to Detroit.
I’m sitting this one out on the win total because there are just too many unknowns. But if you want to bet Miami (OH) to win the MAC, your sweet spot is right after Week 3.
Pick: Pass
Akron enters the season ineligible for postseason play this year, and it has a practice reduction due to its academic standing.
I’m taking the under 4.5 wins for Akron this season. There’s just too much going on that doesn’t sit right with me.
Offensively, this team has been a nightmare in key situations. It converted just 36% of third downs and 26% of fourth downs, and scored only 14 red-zone touchdowns all year.
When it came down to short-yardage situations, the Zips couldn’t run the ball. They got bogged down offensively, especially against those physical front sevens in the MAC games midseason last year.
And then there’s the defense, which suffered some huge losses.
CJ Nunnally IV left for Purdue, Bryan McCoy took off for Oklahoma State, and Antavious Fish graduated. A couple of defensive backs have also moved on.
So, a lot of the talent and leadership that made Akron respectable in the MAC last year just disappeared.
On top of that, the Zips lose their top offensive weapons too, including Adrian Norton at receiver and Jordon Simmons at running back. Now, they’re cobbling together new pieces on offense and trying to figure it all out schematically.
The schedule doesn’t help either. The nonconference is brutal with tough games against Wyoming, at Nebraska and at UAB all favoring the opponents heavily.
Then the MAC slate starts with a trip to Toledo and a home game against a rising Central Michigan team. Realistically, Akron should be something like 1-6 after facing Miami (OH).
With the postseason ban, what’s the motivation for those two tough conference road trips at Ball State and Buffalo? And when you get to the final stretch of the season, who even knows what kind of team will show up?
One wild quirk about their schedule: Akron doesn’t really have a true bye week. Its “bye” on Nov. 1 is right before a Tuesday game at UMass, and then it finishes the season playing on three consecutive Tuesdays and wrapping up earlier than any other FBS team.
No real rest, no postseason to look forward to. With so many moving parts missing and zero confidence in the offense, I just don’t see the Zips reaching five wins this season.
Pick: Akron Under 4.5 Wins
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Buffalo’s defense showed plenty of grit last year.
The Bulls racked up 33 sacks and 92 tackles for loss while forcing opponents to settle for 11 red-zone field goals. They held teams to a 37% conversion rate on third downs, so they definitely knew how to step up when it mattered.
That said, the run defense had its ups and downs. There were moments when they looked exposed but plenty of times they stood firm.
Losing Shaun Dolac at linebacker is a big hit after he led all of FBS in tackles last season. But the guy right behind him in tackles was Red Murdock. Murdock, along with 12 of the top 14 tacklers, are back.
This defensive unit has star power developing across all three levels. You have Kobe Stewart and his 9.5 sacks returning, Dion Crawford with 8.5 sacks back in the mix, and Murdock anchoring the linebackers.
They also added Harvard’s Mitchell Gonser, a first-team All-Ivy talent, to bolster the linebacker corps.
The secondary returns with more experience and should operate more cohesively this year. The main goal is to tighten up underneath and limit explosive passing plays.
By MAC standards, this defense looks poised to be a force.
Offensively, the Bulls bring in Kansas State transfer quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson, who offers a skill set similar to what C.J. Ogbonna gave them last season.
The receivers have also improved with Victor Snow now established and Nik McMillan back from an injury that hampered him last year.
Personally, I like Buffalo to win the MAC, and I bet it against Minnesota in Week 1.
While the personnel and coaching are strong, the schedule might give Buffalo the biggest edge this season. It really hit the jackpot with how the MAC slate shakes out.
I see the Bulls as significant favorites in their first six conference games, which would make a 6-0 start in MAC play very realistic.
After that, the real tests come at home against Miami (OH) and Ohio. If Buffalo can grab at least one of those games, I fully expect it'll punch its ticket to Detroit. At that point, I’ll reevaluate my futures.
Ultimately, I think this team is ready to take the next step and make some noise.
Pick: Buffalo to Win MAC (+450)
The win total for UMass seems pretty fair overall. Still, shopping around for the best line is key because you'll find some variability — like a 3.5 vs. a 4.5 — depending on where you lean. Just check the juice and figure out which bet truly gives you the best value.
Now, Mike Bajakian steps in as offensive coordinator here. If you’re expecting an exciting, high-flying offense, you're out of luck. Those weren’t ever a thing when Bajakian coached at Northwestern, and it sounds like a slow, methodical, run-heavy offense is the plan here.
I like Yale transfer quarterback Grant Jordan. He has clear talent and should fit nicely, but his tendency to bail out of the pocket a bit early and just scramble for a modest gain rather than letting plays develop could limit big passing plays.
The offense’s identity looks like it’s going to lean heavily on the run while controlling the clock. I actually took the under in UMass' Week 1 opener against Temple when the total was 52.5 points, and I’m still comfortable with that at 51.5 or higher.
The early games will also be important for figuring out the offensive line, which has had a ton of turnover.
The Minutemen brought in seven transfers, with only a few coming from Power 4 programs. The rest come from FCS schools, so there’s some uncertainty there.
Running the ball a lot early makes sense while they figure out who can protect the quarterback and open lanes.
All that considered, I’m leaning toward game unders early with UMass just due to its ball-control style and the less-than-inspiring coordinator situation.
On the win total front, I’m passing.
Pick: UMass vs. Temple Under 51.5 or Better (Week 1)
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With the coaching change at Ohio, it’s tough to replace the stability Tim Albin and his staff brought to the program.
On the bright side, running back Sieh Bangura is back, which helps a lot. The left side of the O-line also has some decent size, and there's one lineman returning after a year away.
If the Bobcats can tighten up the whole offensive line, that’ll be a major plus, but it looks like they’re going to have to lean on some FCS or Division II players to fill some gaps, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they take a step back there.
Offensively, they usually lean on their tight ends, especially in the run game, so that could still work in their favor a bit.
But overall, this feels like a developmental year, especially when you look at the defensive front seven.
The Bobs lost a ton of production, with key guys moving on to the transfer portal, and they haven’t really replaced that talent. That has me worried for the first three weeks because the defensive line could get eaten alive early on.
I expect Ohio to get crushed by Rutgers in Week 1. I was hoping for a 10-point spread, but that line got hit early and moved higher.
I hate laying big numbers with Rutgers, as it tends to build up a lead and then play super conservative, but I think Ohio gets overwhelmed in that game.
Last season, Ohio’s defense was rock-solid, especially in clutch moments like third downs and in the red zone. The Havoc metrics were huge.
However, I expect a slight drop-off this year. The Bobs are undersized up front, and this unit looks like it’ll underwhelm compared to last year’s defense.
So, if you’re into Ohio, I’d wait and watch how the first three games unfold. There’s a real chance it could start 0-3 heading into its FCS matchup against Gardner-Webb. If that’s the case, the odds for winning the MAC should improve.
I don’t see a repeat MAC Championship from Ohio this year, but it should snag some wins in the middle of its schedule. The win total seems about right to me, with swing games against Miami (OH) and Buffalo standing out.
If I had to pick, I’d lean under on Ohio’s win total this season.
Pick: Ohio Under 7.5 Wins (Lean)
Ball State’s short-term outlook hinges a lot on Kiael Kelly stepping up his passing game.
In 2023 — the last time he played quarterback extensively — he completed just 53% of his throws and averaged only 4.7 yards per attempt. That’s pretty weak, especially considering he had two big-time throws and six plays turnover-worthy plays.
New head coach Mike Uremovich comes in from Butler, where they ran a lot of pistol formations, mixed in some 12 and 22 personnel, threw in outside zone runs with a bit of read-option from the gun, and plenty of QB power runs.
That offense uses a ton of pre-snap movement with tight ends shifting around, receivers flopping into motion and the constant threats of sweeps or quick pop passes behind the line.
The question is whether Kelly can handle this physically over a full season, because durability has been a concern.
Then there’s the offensive line, especially the interior, which has been getting crushed consistently. On top of that, every pass-catcher who produced last year is gone.
Defensively, if I’m facing Ball State, I’d just focus on smashing the A gaps and bring a safety down to stop the run. I’d dare Kelly to throw over the top — something he struggled with in limited attempts before moving to cornerback.
Speaking of defense, this unit has a ton of holes. The Cardinals posted 20 sacks last year, but seven came in one game against Kent State. Take that game out, and their pass-rush impact becomes minimal.
They also gave up 5.2 yards per carry on the season.
The secondary proved to be a disaster, allowing 11 plays over 50 yards and giving up completions on 62% of attempts to go along with 37 touchdown passes.
The front seven is undersized, and the secondary hasn’t shown signs of improvement. They tried patching things up through the transfer portal, but most additions come from FCS or fringe programs.
This season could get ugly for Ball State. This is being treated as a real Year 0 and a total rebuild where they try to lay down the foundation.
I’m fading Ball State early on. The Cards open at Purdue and Auburn, and I’m not feeling good about the game against UConn either. I’ll probably continue fading them as the season progresses as well.
That said, I didn’t go under on their win total because the schedule has a few winnable games, depending on how motivated some opponents are around midseason. But overall, I lean toward the under.
Pick: Ball State Under 3.5 Wins (Lean)
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Northern Illinois is in a bit of a weird spot.
Nick Benedetto, the defensive mastermind behind NIU’s stout unit last season, headed to Fresno State. That’s a huge blow.
Under his watch, the defense held opponents to just 27% on third downs, racked up 36 sacks and allowed only 16 touchdowns in 36 red-zone trips. He was a real genius when it came to situational football, and losing him — both as a tactician and as a talent developer — is a major step back for NIU.
On the offensive side, the Huskies bring in a new scheme that’s pretty unique, but it’s coming from Charleston Southern. Expect a lot of 10 personnel, three-by-one formations, RPOs and screen passes.
It’s mostly short, dink-and-dunk stuff with tight end motions sprinkled in. From what I saw on film, there’s not much true progression passing going on.
At media days, head coach Thomas Hammock talked about running a high-tempo offense and throwing the ball more, so he's basically gearing up for some high-scoring affairs.
It sounds exciting in theory, but I’m skeptical about whether this really fits with who NIU should be, especially in the Mountain West next season.
On top of that, they lost tight end Grayson Barnes, who moved on to West Virginia.
Looking at the schedule, the road trips outside the conference look brutal with Maryland, Mississippi State and San Diego State on the docket.
My gut says this team struggles to make a bowl game this year, and I’m leaning toward them finishing under 6.5 wins.
Pick: Northern Illinois Under 6.5 Wins (Lean)
I have a lot of questions about Eastern Michigan’s defense this year, especially after losing its top 10 tacklers from last season.
The EMU defense really started to wear down in the second half of conference play, giving up 4.9 yards per carry and allowing a 64% completion rate that translated into 22 passing touchdowns, so those losses hit hard across the board.
On the defensive line, Peyton Price and Dylan Shelton were major losses, and Joey Zelinsky moving up to the Power 4 doesn’t help plug that gap. There’s still some experience in the front four, but I don’t see them coming close to last year’s production.
The linebacker group also takes a hit with Luke Murphy and James Djonkam leaving for Coastal Carolina and Virginia Tech, respectively.
That said, there could be some opportunities for newcomers like Marco Patierno from Elon and Kadin Bailey from Syracuse to step up. So, maybe the defense stabilizes, but it’ll probably just be OK and not great.
The secondary is likely about the same as last year, even though Daiquan White and Quentavius Scandrett are no longer around. It’s hard to say how well they’ll cover from those losses.
Offensively, there’s just not a lot to get excited about. Neither of the two incoming quarterbacks has wowed me yet. It feels like head coach Chris Creighton is squeezing as much out of this roster as possible, but he really has his work cut out for him this season.
The defense will give up too many big plays, and the offense isn’t explosive enough to make up for it. That’s a recipe for a lot of tough situations and close games.
Sometimes Creighton's teams pull off a few surprise wins, but I have them as reasonable favorites (by 3.5 points or more) in just three matchups and have a couple of games that might flip one way or the other.
Ultimately, the win total number feels about right.
I’m not ready to fade the Eagles outright on their win total because I wouldn’t be shocked if they make a bowl this year, but the path to that bowl definitely requires pulling off two upsets.
My likely fade weeks for Eastern Michigan are Week 6 at Buffalo, Week 8 at Miami (OH) and Week 9 against Ohio. The bye week doesn't come until after that game against the Bobcats, and those games don’t look promising for the Eagles.
Pick: Temple vs. UMass Under 51.5 (Week 1)
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One thing we noticed with Central Michigan over the last few seasons was a real lack of energy and enthusiasm. That kind of came down from the top with former head coach Jim McElwain, who retired and parted ways.
Now, with Matt Drinkall stepping in, you’re already seeing a shift with a more vibrant vibe around the program. The same goes for the offense with Jim Chapin calling the plays.
This offense is going to look different and more dynamic. They’re running a spread power game, leaning heavily on 12 personnel and even mixing in 13 personnel out of the gun, which is a bit unique.
They’ll switch tempos too: sometimes lightning-fast, other times slow and methodical. You can expect a lot of traditional run schemes like inside and outside zone, read options and some RPOs.
There’s even some quarterback power on the menu. It’ll be interesting to see if quarterback Joe Labas can take on that role, but they’ve been running QB power quite a bit. They also played some Wildcat, getting snaps from non-QB players out of the gun.
Chapin served as the OC at Eastern Washington before going to Mount Pleasant, and his go-to guy was wide receiver Efton Chism III, who led the team in receiving yards.
Almost all of his catches came underneath, but he was a fantastic run-after-catch guy. I think Tyson Davis and Langston Lewis could step right into that mold. So, there’s a clear framework here for what this offense wants to be.
It’s not going to be a total 180 from what they used to do, but the difference will be easy to see.
Drinkall should improve the offensive line, too. It’ll be a work in progress, but I trust him to strengthen that unit.
The schedule has some interesting wrinkles. The line is set at 5.5 wins, and it’s tough to bet over that given a potential 0-3 start after games against San Jose State, Pitt and Michigan. Still, I like Central Michigan’s chances to cover the spread early on.
Week 1's matchup against SJSU might actually suit CMU's scheme well since San Jose struggles defensively in ways the Chips can exploit. That +12.5 line could be a solid look.
In Week 2, they face the Panthers just before the Backyard Brawl, so it’ll be telling to see where they stand.
In Week 3, they’re off to the Big House to face Michigan. But remember, the Wolverines will have just come off a brutal game at Oklahoma before they head to Nebraska.
The Michigan MAC games will obviously be huge for them, but the Kent State, UMass, Bowling Green and Akron represent opportunities to pick up wins. I see this as a group that could improve a lot as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, I’m waiting on the futures for now. You could ease into a futures bet around 20-1. But if they surprise early on and maybe go 0-3 straight up but cover the spreads, those odds could get juicier. Maybe people write them off and we get a great price to jump in midseason.
Seeing numbers swing from 20-1 up to 29-1 changes the whole dynamic. The key is grabbing the best price on the future now to set yourself up nicely and maybe hedge later if you want to lock in some profit.
Ultimately, Central Michigan is in for an intriguing year. The offense should be far more exciting, and the defense has some good pieces too. This feels like a program trending upward.
Pick: Central Michigan to Win MAC (+2000 · Wait for Better Price)
Eddie George comes in from Tennessee State, but he's a little bit behind the 8-ball because he wasn't hired until March 9.
Offensively, the losses are just stunning. Harold Fannin Jr. was a huge safety net for this team, racking up 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns on 117 catches.
Running back Terion Stewart was explosive, but he took his 898 yards with him to Virginia Tech.
When the dust settled, the Falcons lost their top four running backs and top four pass-catchers from last season's offense.
This year, the offensive line will be the strength of the unit and should allow them to do what they want when they deploy their run-heavy scheme.
When the season starts, we'll see a run-centric offense that utilizes some two-tight end sets. It's not out of the question that they run the ball 65% of the time, and they might even throw in some 13 personnel, which isn't as common in college football today.
The tight end room does have some athleticism and size despite the loss of Fannin. Florida transfer Arlis Boardingham could make a significant impact here as he attempts to replace Fannin.
I'm not entirely sold on Drew Pyne at quarterback, but he has to be the guy because there's a significant drop-off between QB1 and QB2 at Bowling Green. It'll be extremely tough if he gets hurt, which BG has struggled with in the past.
Defensively, there will be a full rebuild, as almost all production has been lost at all three levels. Thirteen of the top 15 tacklers are gone. Linebacker Joseph Sipp Jr., linebacker Brock Horne, linebacker Charles Rosser and cornerback Jordan Oladokun are all major losses.
I think Bowling Green really struggles to make a bowl game this season. In fact, betting under 6.5 wins was one of the first win totals I bet two months ago.
I'm looking for an under in the opener against FCS Lafayette, and I look to fade this team against the Power 4 squads on the schedule in Cincinnati and Louisville.
There could be some value on Bowling Green later in the season once the perception shifts. The Falcons have Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Akron, so the power run game could perform well against those groups.
But ultimately, I think the ceiling for this team is 6-6, and I think it's closer to 5-7.
Pick: Bowling Green Under 6.5 Wins
