NCAAF · 1 year ago

NCAA Football Betting: 2024 MAC Power Rankings

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Toledo Rockets
MAC Championship Odds: +320
Odds to Make CFP: +3000

When the Toledo Rockets take to the field at the end of August, they'll be doing so with an experienced-laden roster and as two-time defending MAC Championship finalists. Granted, last season ended in disappointment, but the Rockets will be ready to avenge last year's defeat.

Toledo returns its entire receiving corps from last year, which led the conference in yards per game. Junior signal-caller Tucker Gleason takes over under center, but he should have no problem picking up where Dequan Finn left off. Moreover, Jacquez Stuart takes over as the lead back, looking to build off his 574 yards and six touchdowns last season.

The Rockets beat their opponents with offense and are about to take off again in 2024.
12. Kent State Golden Flashes
MAC Championship Odds: +12000
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

For a brief moment, the Kent State Golden Flashes appeared to be a program on the rise. However, with the departure of former head coach Sean Lewis, regression is inevitable for the soon-to-be floundering program.

Lewis had ambitious plans for the Golden Flashes, leaving the squad without a hope in 2024. Kent State takes on the Pittsburgh Panthers, Tennessee Volunteers, and Penn State Nittany Lions in three of their first four games, all occurring on the road. That ensures the team has almost no momentum when they open a challenging conference schedule.

Look away Kent State fans, this is going to get ugly.
11. Akron Zips
MAC Championship Odds: +6500
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Don't be fooled by former Power Five quarterback Ben Finley's arrival; 2024 will be another long year for the Akron Zips.

Across four seasons, mostly as a backup, Finley has thrown a total of 246 passes, with a disastrous 7-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Worse, he's averaging just 6.0 yards per pass attempt with a 55.7% completion rating.

The Zips have anchored themselves to a floundering quarterback, setting themselves up for another lackluster result in 2024.
10. Buffalo Bulls
MAC Championship Odds: +4200
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Losing most of their offensive starters, the Buffalo Bulls did what they could to restock their cupboards for the upcoming campaign. Unfortunately, it won't be enough to help them compete in a tougher-than-expected Mid-American Conference.

Presumed starting quarterback CJ Ogbonna has thrown just 30 passes since 2021. Over those two years, the now-senior signal-caller totaled a paltry 93 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. With two new pass catchers joining the program, chemistry, and yards will be in short supply.

The Bulls' defense might help them keep things close, but the best they can hope for is covering double-digit spreads as underdogs.
9. Eastern Michigan Eagles
MAC Championship Odds: +3100
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

A rebuilt program via the transfer portal won't be enough to salvage the Eastern Michigan Eagles season. Easter Michigan took a quantity-over-quality approach, solidifying its position in the bottom half of the conference standings.

The Eagles poached Cole Snyder from the Buffalo Bulls, bringing his 29.0 quarterback rating with him. Delbert Mimms III, Porter Rooks, and Oran Singleton don't offer any reprieve, arriving as prospects that didn't pan out with their former programs.

Pulling off a late-season upset is the best the Eagles can hope for.
8. Ball State Cardinals
MAC Championship Odds: +3700
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

With just one winning record since 2013, the Ball State Cardinals haven't distinguished themselves as MAC contenders. Nevertheless, Kadin Semonza could transform this program into a bowl game contender in his first season as a starter.

The dual-threat quarterback steps in under center, surrounded by a decent receiving corps. Justin Bowick fills a much-needed gap on the outside and can use his 6'4" frame to his advantage. He's complemented by the return of Qian Magwood, the Cardinals' top receiver from last year.

If Ball State can maximize Charlie Spegal's contributions, this could be the most dynamic Cardinals offense we've seen in years. Their first bowl game since 2020 isn't out of the question for the Cardinals.
7. Ohio Bobcats
MAC Championship Odds: +1200
Odds to Make CFP: +11000

The Ohio Bobcats are on the lower end of the spectrum in the MAC this season, but they have some intriguing components that could help them exceed their modest expectations.

Ohio was busy during the transfer period, rebuilding their defensive line. But it might all be for naught, as several new players are stepping in on offense. That inexperienced core will be tested early with road games against the Syracuse Orange and Kentucky Wildcats through the first four weeks of the season.

A weak conference schedule offers a glimmer of hope for the Bobcats, but we expect they'll be out-matched by some of the middling MAC programs.
6. Central Michigan Chippewas
MAC Championship Odds: +1200
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Sophomore pivot Bert Emanuel Jr. steps into an ideal situation with the Central Michigan Chippewas. Returning all of their skilled offensive starters from last season, the Chippewas' newly-minted starting quarterback can take over on offense without missing a beat.

Central Michigan's top three receivers, Tyson Davis, Jesse Prewitt III, and Chris Parker accounted for over half of the receiving yards last year and are back for more in 2024. Likewise, the backfield tandem of Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey return to a favorable situation behind an experienced offensive line.

Central Michigan is the team for you if you're looking for a true dark horse team to upset the conference. The Chippewas are our value pick to win it all.
5. Western Michigan Broncos
MAC Championship Odds: +650
Odds to Make CFP: +13000

Some people have higher expectations for the Western Michigan Broncos than we do, but it would be better to temper expectations this season.

The Broncos didn't wow anyone on offense in 2023. Averaging an uninspired 23.7 points per game, Western Michigan sat outside of the top five in scoring. Hayden Wolff returns for his senior year in Kalamazoo, but his 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 8-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season leaves a lot to be desired.

Western Michigan is in the same boat as the Northern Illinois Huskies, albeit with a lower offensive ceiling. If they can ride their defense hard enough, the Broncos might upset the balance in the MAC.
4. Northern Illinois Huskies
MAC Championship Odds: +750
Odds to Make CFP: +8000

Throughout the 2010s, the Northern Illinois Huskies enjoyed a fanciful run as the MAC powerhouse. Although they've come back down to earth more recently, the Huskies are poised for a return to glory in 2024.

Ethan Hampton has some big shoes to fill with the departure of Rocky Lombardi, but he has the supporting cast to get the job done. Antario Brown will be the Huskies' workhorse again this season and could be in the Doak Walker conversation. Likewise, Trayvon Rudolph and Grayson Barnes will ensure that Hampton's learning curve is smooth.

Weeks 7 through 11 will determine if NIU can make a run this year, but we like their chances at the outset of the campaign.
3. Bowling Green Falcons
MAC Championship Odds: +650
Odds to Make CFP: +11000

Don't sleep on the Bowling Green Falcons defense. BG returns its imposing unit from last season, which finished in the top five in scoring and total defense. Locked and loaded with their returning stars, the Falcons could fly even higher in 2024.

Connor Bazelak and Terion Stewart stabilize an untested offense and are looking to improve on last year's results. Interceptions have been an issue for Bazelak in the past, but nothing should catch the fifth-year starter off guard in 2024. Similarly, Stewart should have no problem eclipsing the 1,000-yard plateau as the primary rusher out of the backfield.

Expect classic hard-nosed football from Bowling Green this season, and don't be surprised if they catch a few teams off guard on route to the MAC Championship Game. Go Falcons!
2. Miami (OH) RedHawks
MAC Championship Odds: +230
Odds to Make CFP: +2500

The defending MAC Champions enter the upcoming campaign as the odds-on favorites to defend their crown. Still, the Miami (OH) RedHawks don't possess the offensive firepower to keep pace with the conference-best Rockets.

Presumably, Brett Gabbert takes back the reigns on offense after missing the latter part of the 2023 season with a leg injury. But his passing metrics were uninspired. Last year, the junior completed only 59.4% of his throws for 8.7 yards per pass attempt, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions against inferior competition.

The RedHawks remain a stout defensive unit and will be in the hunt in the Mid-American Conference. But at this point, they're undeserving of the top spot in our pre-season power rankings.
1. Toledo Rockets
MAC Championship Odds: +320
Odds to Make CFP: +3000

When the Toledo Rockets take to the field at the end of August, they'll be doing so with an experienced-laden roster and as two-time defending MAC Championship finalists. Granted, last season ended in disappointment, but the Rockets will be ready to avenge last year's defeat.

Toledo returns its entire receiving corps from last year, which led the conference in yards per game. Junior signal-caller Tucker Gleason takes over under center, but he should have no problem picking up where Dequan Finn left off. Moreover, Jacquez Stuart takes over as the lead back, looking to build off his 574 yards and six touchdowns last season.

The Rockets beat their opponents with offense and are about to take off again in 2024.
12. Kent State Golden Flashes
MAC Championship Odds: +12000
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

For a brief moment, the Kent State Golden Flashes appeared to be a program on the rise. However, with the departure of former head coach Sean Lewis, regression is inevitable for the soon-to-be floundering program.

Lewis had ambitious plans for the Golden Flashes, leaving the squad without a hope in 2024. Kent State takes on the Pittsburgh Panthers, Tennessee Volunteers, and Penn State Nittany Lions in three of their first four games, all occurring on the road. That ensures the team has almost no momentum when they open a challenging conference schedule.

Look away Kent State fans, this is going to get ugly.