The Mid-American Conference (MAC) season is winding down, with just 2 more weekends remaining in the regular season. Toledo has already punched its ticket to the Dec. 3 title game at Ford Field in Detroit. But several teams have plenty left to play for down the stretch.
Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the MAC’s Week 12 slate, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
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MAC best bets for Week 12
– All games listed are ET unless noted
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 7:04 a.m. ET.
Ohio -4 (-113) at Ball State – Tuesday, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Bobcats (7-3, 5-1) are in the driver’s seat in the East Division, controlling their own destiny. If Ohio keeps winning, it will represent the East in Detroit against Toledo in the MAC Championship Game.
The Cardinals (5-5, 3-3) are simply playing for bowl eligibility, needing 1 win in the next 2 games to qualify for the postseason. Ball State fell 28-21 against the Rockets in Toledo, but the Cardinals did cover the 13.5-point number.
The Bobcats have covered each of the last 6 outings, while going 6-0 ATS in the last 6 MAC games, too. Ohio is also 4-1 ATS in the last 5 appearances on Tuesday, too.
On the flip side, the Cardinals have covered just once in the last 6 games against teams with a winning overall record, and it is 3-9 ATS in the last 12 home games against teams with a winning record, too.
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Bowling Green +15 (-111) at Toledo – Tuesday, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
The Falcons meet the Rockets in the annual Battle of I-75 at the Glass Bowl. Toledo (7-3, 5-1) has already clinched the West Division title, and will be playing in Detroit. It’s possible, with a win here, Bowling Green (5-5, 4-2) could meet its rivals, Toledo, in the MAC Championship Game for much bigger stakes.
Toledo holds a 42-40-4 lead in the series, but the Rockets have dominated lately with 11 wins in the previous 12 meetings. The Falcons haven’t won in Toledo since a 38-10 victory on Nov. 28, 2008.
While the Falcons are just 3-7-1 ATS in the last 11 trips to Toledo, the road team is 6-2-1 ATS in the last 9 in the series, too.
Bowling Green is worth taking with the points, as it still has plenty left to play for, while Toledo has already clinched a division title. While the Rockets would certainly like to spoil the chance of their rivals joining them in Detroit, Toledo has a little less to play for here.
Western Michigan +10 (-108) at Central Michigan – Wednesday, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
The Broncos hit the road to meet the Chippewas, and Western Michigan will be playing for nothing but pride in this rivalry game.
Western Michigan (3-7, 2-4) can knock Central Michigan (4-6, 3-3) out of contention for a bowl with a win here, giving it a little extra incentive at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Wednesday.
The Broncos are worth backing, too, as they’re 6-2 ATS in the last 8 appearances on Wednesday, while going 5-2 ATS in the last 7 games on the road. In addition, WMU is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 trips to Mount Pleasant, with the road team 9-1 ATS in the last 10 in the series.
Central is an amazing 15-1-1 ATS in the past 17 appearances on Wednesday, so you’ll be picking against that history. But, more importantly, CMU is just 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 home games, and 1-6-1 ATS in the last 8 against losing teams. CMU is also 0-4-1 ATS this season as a favorite of 6 or more points, too.
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Akron +16.5 (-108) at Buffalo – Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (CBS Sport Network)
The Bulls (5-5, 4-2) are still alive for the East Division title, but it needs to keep winning. That shouldn’t be a problem against Akron, a team which has managed just 1 win overall, and none inside conference play to date.
However, the Zips (1-9, 0-6) have actually been pretty competitive lately, falling just 34-28 against Eastern Michigan last week, its 3rd 1-score loss in the last 4 outings. Akron ran for 163 yards while passing for 223 yards, outgaining EMU in each category. Akron also had 25 first downs to just 22 for EMU.
The Bulls have been tripped up in a pair of games against Central Michigan and Ohio, both on the road, damaging their hopes for an East Division title. The pair of non-covers also splashed cold water on a 5-0 SU/ATS run.
Backing Akron will have you bucking some trends, as Akron is 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings, and 0-5 ATS in the last 5 trips to Buffalo.
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