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MACtion has arrived, and the folks at MACtion Network could not be more excited.
That's right — after a year-long hiatus, everyone's favorite college football conference is ready to start back up its weekly schedule of Tuesday and Wednesday games.
That also means we're betting some MACtion. That's the proper way to celebrate, right?
Our college football writers came through with a pick for both of Tuesday's two MACtion games: the Akron Zips vs. the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. the Buffalo Bulls.
Let's dive into their Tuesday college football predictions and NCAAF picks for November 3.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
Tuesday College Football Predictions
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 p.m. | |
  | 7 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. | ||
Akron vs. Ohio Pick
By Joshua Nunn
This line opened with Ohio listed as a 12-point favorite, with a total that has been bet up from 48 to 51.5. Ohio has taken money, and the line has bounced between 13.5 and 14.5 for the last 48 hours. I like the Bobcats in this matchup.
Ohio’s offense has been surging, and the Bobs are playing excellent complementary football right now.
The ground attack has shredded opponents in three of their last four MAC games, and Akron can't stop the run.
The Zips' defensive line has been incredibly weak, as Akron ranks 119th in Rushing Success Rate allowed while struggling to stop explosive plays.
Ohio quarterback Nick Poulos has looked very sharp since coming back from his injury, and his dual-threat ability will create problems for Akron here. The Zips have given up 18 touchdown passes this season while forcing just three interceptions.
Kent State averaged nine yards per pass attempt last weekend, and the Zips were also shredded by UNLV, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan in recent weeks.
Ohio will be able to move the football with success, and I expect Bobs to end several trips to the red zone with touchdowns.
Akron has seven losses and won't qualify for a bowl game. It's also coming off a 15-point loss against rival Kent State in the Battle for the Wagon Wheel.
I fail to see where this team is drawing motivation from, and the offense will struggle to keep up with Ohio in this game.
The Bobcats should be fully locked in to remain atop the MAC standings. Ohio will pull away in the second half of this one. I'm laying the number here.
Pick: Ohio -13.5 or Better
| |
Miami (OH) vs. Buffalo Pick
By RoadToCFB
An opening total set at 44.5 was a popular early-week bet, moving up as high as 46.5. But by Saturday, this line was bet back down to 44.5, where it has largely laid for the rest of its life. The line of Miami -6.5 has not budged an inch.
Buffalo's offense has found a new formula: give the ball to Burch as many times as possible and reap the benefits.
Since offensive coordinator Tony Tokarz fed Burch the ball 26 times against Robert Morris (146 yards), he's averaged 25.4 carries per game (7.7 in the first three games).
He reached a new season high with 33 carries for 184 yards and a trio of touchdowns against Bowling Green last week.
That has opened the Bulls' offense up. UB has scored 23-plus in each of its last three games after being held to 20 or fewer in its previous three against FBS foes.
Miami's defense has been fine this year but not excellent in any one single category. Buffalo doesn't completely rely on explosive plays, instead benefiting from running behind a pretty good offensive line.
This run game doesn't go backwards very often, and it runs the clock efficiently.
With a bowl game in sight — and a bowl still meaning something to this program — expect Buffalo to continue to lean on its workhorse back.
It'll be a war of attrition between a good Buffalo offensive front and a solid Miami front six. But this is likely the best offensive line Miami has faced this year (excluding Pitt and Cincinnati), and Buffalo should find some success on the ground.
Welcome back, MACtion. We're backing a Bulls team that's better than you think.
Pick: Buffalo Team Total Over 18.5 (Play to 20.5)
