It's the return of the MACtion.
After a great first week of midweek games featuring America's favorite college football conference, we're back for more this week. Tuesday's slate features two games: Ohio vs. Western Michigan and Kent State vs. Akron.
Our college football writers broke down both games and dished out a pick for each.
So, let's dive into our college football picks and NCAAF predictions for Tuesday — and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Wednesday night MACtion coverage.
College Football Picks, Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football betting staff is targeting from Tuesday's slate of MACtion games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Ohio vs Western Michigan Pick
By John Feltman
When you dig into this matchup, Western Michigan +1.5 stands out as the clear side with both the metrics and the situation working in its favor. It's also a decent spot to fade Ohio, considering that it had no business winning last week at Miami (OH).
Ohio’s offense has been steady all season, ranking 51st nationally in EPA Per Pass at +0.10 and 58th in EPA Per Rush. Those numbers suggest efficiency but not explosiveness.
The Bobcats rely on consistency rather than chunk plays, but that profile runs into a real problem here.
Western Michigan’s defense has quietly become one of the most disciplined units in the MAC. The Broncos rank 15th nationally in EPA Per Pass allowed and 35th in EPA Per Rush allowed, forcing opponents to grind for every yard.
That matchup leans heavily in favor of WMU, especially given that Ohio’s offense has struggled when facing defenses inside the top 30 in available yards gained. The Broncos rank 23rd there, holding opponents to just 38.4% of available yards gained.
That's precisely what we want to see in the underlying metrics when deciding to back a poor offensive team at home. The handicap here is focusing on the Broncos' strengths, especially since they can exploit the Bobcats offense.
Everything about this spot screams value on the home side, and I'm definitely looking to fade the Bobs after their lucky win last week.
With the weather, metrics, injury concerns and the matchup profile, Western Michigan is being undervalued by the market.
The Broncos are trending upward, have a top-20 defense in third-down Success Rate and thrive in these November MACtion grindfests.
On a slick field in frigid air, those short-yardage situations can ultimately determine the outcome, and that’s where the Broncos have the edge.
Pick: Western Michigan +1.5
| |
Kent State vs Akron Pick
By Road to CFB
Akron leads the Wagon Wheel rivalry series, 37-28-2, all-time, and has won each of the last two matchups. Since the series became more regular in 1983, these two teams have split meetings pretty evenly.
The forecast calls for blustery and chilly conditions with an outside chance of lingering snow (though nothing impactful). If you’re new to Wagon Wheel, blustery and chilly is about all this series knows of late.
Offensively, Akron is a team that doesn’t utilize tight ends or running backs very well in the passing game, and the receivers are far below average in the MAC. Oftentimes, there’s just nowhere to go with the football.
The passing game also doesn’t open up because there’s little threat on the ground. Jordan Gant has nearly 850 yards on the season by sheer volume (168 attempts), and he finds 10-plus yards on only 15% of his carries.
On the other side, Kent State isn’t an offense that’s anywhere close to reliable when not playing UMass. Beyond that game, Kent’s season-high was 28, which came in a tight loss to Buffalo in September, and it came away with 10 against Toledo and 13 against Ball State (1-of-5 on fourth down and 3-of-13 on third down).
But ultimately, the players and coaches really do care about this rivalry game.
I’m taking under the 47.5 posted points here. These are two defense-oriented teams with inefficient offenses, ranking 119th and 130th in Success Rate.
Kent State takes care of the football, averaging fewer than one turnover per game, while also generating quality drives with the fourth-lowest frequency in the country.
The Zips boast a run-oriented offense that doesn’t do that especially well, and Kent State has a formidable run defense.
It’s going to be cold, and InfoCision Stadium is going to be empty.
Get ready for weird broadcast angles and a few points scored.
Pick: Under 47.5
