Tag: Mid-American Conference

Power Five AD believes cancelation of fall football is ‘inevitable’

There is a strong possibility that college football will not be played this fall, according to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd

There is a strong possibility that college football will not be played this fall, according to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd. In fact, in the words of one Power Five athletic director, it is “inevitable” that the college gridiron will be empty come autumn.

Dodd offered the following quotes from two Power Five athletic directors.

“It’s not fair what we’re doing to our coaches and student-athletes,” one long-time Power Five AD said. “The sooner we can come to a finality, the better.”

“I think it’s inevitable [the season will not be played in the fall],” said another veteran Power Five AD.

Neither AD wished to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference became the first Football Bowl Subdivision league to cancel its season, a decision that came on the heels of the Power Five conferences’ decision to adopt a conference-only schedule. MAC programs rely on the financial compensation that games with Power Five schools provide for a large part of their yearly revenue.

“I’m of the opinion it’s when, not if [the 2020 season is canceled],” the first AD said. “[The MAC announcement] adds more momentum to the finish line. I think everyone’s medical group is now all telling them the same thing. We all keep having the same conversations.”

Rumors continued to swirl Saturday that the Pac-12 and Big Ten would indeed be the next FBS conferences to cancel their respective 2020 seasons.

Big Ten presidents met on Saturday, though a league source told CBS Sports not to expect an immediate announcement to cancel its season — the feeling being that the league wouldn’t alter its practice schedule and announce a cancellation on the same day.

The Big Ten on Saturday announced it was “indefinitely” delaying a move to Phase 3 of practice that would have allowed players to use pads. The Detroit Free Press reported that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is believed to prefer attempting to play a season in spring 2021.

Pac-12 presidents will meet in a regularly scheduled call on Tuesday. However, that timeline could change in “20 minutes” to organize a conference call if the situation continued to shift, according to one league official.

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‘Inevitable’: Power 5 ADs say 2020 college football season won’t be played

The 2020 college football season is likely to be canceled.

The 2020 college football season seems on the brink of not happening and, per CBS Sports Dennis Dodd, some athletic directors at Power 5 schools are saying that it is more than likely not going to be played.

Per Dodd:

“It’s not fair what we’re doing to our coaches and student-athletes,” one long-time Power Five AD said. “The sooner we can come to a finality, the better.”

“I think it’s inevitable [the season will not be played in the fall],” said another veteran Power Five AD.

Neither AD wished to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference became the first FBS conference to cancel its season, a decision that seemed inevitable after the power 5 conferences decided to go to a conference-only schedule. The MAC programs are dependent on the pay games with Power 5 schools for a large part of its yearly revenue.

“I’m of the opinion it’s when, not if [the 2020 season is canceled],” the first AD said. “[The MAC announcement] adds more momentum to the finish line. I think everyone’s medical group is now all telling them the same thing. We all keep having the same conversations.”

Rumors continued to swirl Saturday that the Pac-12 and Big Ten would indeed be the next FBS conferences to cancel their respective 2020 seasons.

Big Ten presidents met on Saturday, though a league source told CBS Sports not to expect an immediate announcement to cancel its season — the feeling being that the league wouldn’t alter its practice schedule and announce a cancellation on the same day.

The Big Ten on Saturday announced it was “indefinitely” delaying a move to Phase 3 of practice that would have allowed players to use pads. The Detroit Free Press reported that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is believed to prefer attempting to play a season in spring 2021.

Pac-12 presidents will meet in a regularly scheduled call on Tuesday. However, that timeline could change in “20 minutes” to organize a conference call if the situation continued to shift, according to one league official.

MAC players issues statement after cancellation of 2020 football season

The Mid-American Conference announced it cancelled its season on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference decided to cancel its 2020 college football per advice from medical advisors.

The players of the MAC issued a statement later on Saturday on the decision.

“While we are disappointed by the loss of our fall competitive seasons, we applaud our leaders for prioritizing our health and safety,” the statement read. “Moving forward we want to make sure this does not equate to the loss of eligibility for our athletes. As the spring approaches we call on Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher to use the coming months to develop uniformed protocols and guidelines to avoid a similar scenario for our spring athletes. #MACUNITED #SPRINGINTOMACTION”

The MAC became the first FBS conference to cancel its season, a decision that became likely after the Power 5 conferences decided to go to a conference-only schedule, meaning many of the schools would miss out on huge pay days.

Report: MAC becomes first FBS conference to cancel college football 2020

The Mid-American Conference is the first to cancel college football 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Mid-American Conference canceled its football season this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report.

The decision was first reported by Brett McMurphy of Stadium.com.

Per Stadium.com: 

The MAC reached its decision Saturday morning in a vote by the league’s presidents, sources said. The conference presidents initially met Thursday to finalize the league’s scheduling format. However, Northern Illinois president Lisa Freeman, a former research scientist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, indicated her school would not play this fall because of the health and safety concerns, sources said.

“The league didn’t like the look of NIU going out on their own and not playing,” said a source, explaining the MAC’s non-vote on Thursday.

The Huskies have made a league-record eight MAC title game appearances and won four of the last nine MAC titles. After the league didn’t reach a decision Thursday, it voted Saturday not to play this fall, sources said.

The MAC is comprised of Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan — along with Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Ohio, and Toledo.

Western Michigan was scheduled to play Notre Dame in South Bend Sept. 19.

What Revamped 2020 Season Could Mean for Notre Dame’s Independence

With all the talk about college football teams only playing conference games for a shortened 2020, Notre Dame is back at the forefront.

With all the talk about college football teams only playing conference games for a shortened 2020, Notre Dame is back at the forefront. The Irish and their fans take a lot of pride in the program’s independence, and if you asked most people who align themselves with the program, they wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, why would they ever admit that Michigan was right to deny them admission into the Big Ten?

But as Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated points out, the COVID-19 pandemic will create new issues and reignite old ones, namely whether the Irish should bite the bullet and join a conference. Although Notre Dame is not the only independent Football Bowl Subdivision program, it’s the only one regularly discussed as a College Football Playoff contender. To other fans, it’s not fair that their team has to devote most of its schedule to the same opponents every year while the Irish can play whoever they want and still get a seat at the head table if the committee deems them worthy.

The best solution for the Irish would be for the FBS to adopt the “conference-only, plus-one” model that athletic director Jack Swarbrick has talked about. That would almost certainly ensure that Notre Dame plays the same number of games as everyone else. Besides, everyone and their grandmother knows any game involving the Irish means greater exposure for their opponents.

Forde breaks down the Irish’s current 2020 schedule and what every game’s fate could be. Navy and the six ACC opponents should be safe, as should the Shamrock Series game with Wisconsin and the one involving Western Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. Arkansas also is scheduled to play in South Bend, but would an SEC team want to play its only nonconference game on the road? Meanwhile, the Pac-12 has discussed its teams only playing within the conference, which could spell trouble for the annual games against Stanford and USC.

Whatever happens, Notre Dame’s football independence might be more contentious than ever. But even the most ardent Irish haters have to admit that without them, the overall college football brand would suffer greatly. Plus, it’s unlikely the university will have wanted to give away scholarships for nothing, even if it decided to honor them without the reason these particular students came to South Bend. The only thing to do is set up an abbreviated schedule in way that gives independent programs the same number of games as everyone else.

It’s really simple:  If there’s no Notre Dame, there’s no college football. Period.

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Charlotte odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl between the Buffalo Bulls and Charlotte 49ers, with betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Bulls (7-5, 5-3 MAC East) and Charlotte 49ers (7-5, 5-3 C-USA) square off in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl at 2 p.m. ET Friday. We analyze the Buffalo-Charlotte odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Three things you need to know

1. The Bulls head to the Bahamas for the fourth bowl appearance in school history, and they’re still looking for their first win. They lost the International Bowl in 2008, they were dropped in the Idaho Potato Bowl in 2013 and they were dumped by Troy 42-32 in the Dollar General Bowl last season.

2. The 49ers will be making their first-ever trip to the postseason. They enter play on a five-game win streak, going 4-1 against the spread during the span.

3. Charlotte hit the Under in three of their final four games, as the defense stepped up by allowing 19.0 points per game during the impressive span.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 36, Charlotte 32

Moneyline (ML)

Buffalo (-239) is a very risky play for a plethora of reasons. One, this is a lot of scratch to lay on a smallish return. Two, Buffalo is 0-3 all-time in bowl games, and three, Charlotte (+195) enters on a five-game win streak. If anyone is worth a play, it’s the 49ers on a small-unit flyer.

Against the Spread (ATS)

CHARLOTTE (+6.5, -110) would be a slam-dunk play if this were at a touchdown or more. If you buy a point up to Charlotte (+7.5, -150), I’d go even heavier on the play. In fact, it’s rather attractive to grab another point and go Charlotte (+8.5, -162) for just a little more risk. Either of those should give you a little more insurance and comfort.

Over/Under (O/U)

This game has featured the winning team notching at least 35 points in four of the previous five installments, with the losing team managing at least 20 points in four of those games. As such, the OVER 51.5 (-110) is an attractive play. Neither of these teams has appeared in this bowl.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Western Michigan Broncos at Northern Illinois Huskies college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Western Michigan Broncos (7-4, 5-2 Mid-American Conference West) will battle the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-7, 3-4) Tuesday night at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Western Michigan-Northern Illinois odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois: Three things you need to know

1. Western Michigan is tied atop the MAC West with Central Michigan. A victory Tuesday will clinch a spot in the conference championship game thanks to a 31-15 win against CMU back on Sept. 28.

2. Northern Illinois cannot become eligible for the postseason even with an upset win, so it will have to serve as its bowl game. Expect NIU to bring a lot of fight in its swan song for the 2019 season.

3. The Broncos have struggled over the years against the number against the Huskies, going just 5-16-1 ATS in the past 22 meetings, and 2-9 ATS in the past 11 trips to DeKalb.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 6:25 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Western Michigan 35, Northern Illinois 30

Moneyline (ML)

The moneyline for Western Michigan (-295) isn’t worth playing, as it is too expensive, and Northern Illinois (+230) is too risky of a play.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Roll with NORTHERN ILLINOIS (+7.5, –115) catching seven and the hook. While the Huskies really have nothing to play for but pride, they’ll give the Broncos all they can handle. They always do.

Western Michigan (-7.5, -106) has managed a dismal 1-4 SU/ATS mark in five road games this season, and they needed overtime last time out at Ohio Nov. 12 to pick up that only win and cover, 37-34.

New to sports betting? Every $1.15 wagered that Northern Illinois will win or not lose by 8 or points will profit $1.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER (51.5, –110) is the play, as Western Michigan’s offense is on fire. It’s 16th in the nation with 467.2 total yards per game, and 21st in rushing yards per game (217.2). It’s also 16th in the country with 36.0 points per game, while ranking a dismal 93rd in total yards allowed (429.5), 83rd in passing yards allowed (240.4) and 94th in rushing yards allowed (189.2).

NIU is just so-so on offense, and it offers just mild resistance defensively. The Over looks good for this mid-week MACtion.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo at Kent State odds: Bulls look to run amok in Kent

Previewing Thursday’s Buffalo Bulls at Kent State Golden Flashes college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Buffalo Bulls (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American Conference East) travel to play the Kent State Golden Flashes (3-6, 2-3) Thursday night at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.

We analyze the Buffalo-Kent State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Buffalo at Kent State: Three things you need to know

1. Buffalo is one of the top rushing teams in the country, posting 224.4 yards per game on the ground to rank 17th. On defense, the Bulls rank fifth against the run, allowing just 85.3 yards per game on the ground.

2. Kent State ranks just 128th in FBS, allowing 256.1 rushing yards per game. The Golden Flashes have also allowed 31.3 PPG, although those numbers are slightly skewed considering they lost to Power 5 teams at Arizona State, Auburn and Wisconsin.

3. The Bulls are 5-0-1 ATS in their past six trips to Kent, while the road team is 7-1-1 ATS in the previous nine meetings and the favorite 4-1 ATS in the past five in this series.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Buffalo at Kent State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 31, Kent State 21

Moneyline (ML)

Buffalo (-250) is going to win this game and attain bowl eligibility, but this is just too much to risk, especially on a road team. Kent State (+180) has too leaky of a run defense, and the Bulls are too powerful on the ground.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Buffalo returns a profit of $4 – every $1 wagered profits $0.40 (1 divided by 2.50) with a Buffalo straight-up win.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Take BUFFALO (-5.5, -115) laying the points. The Bull will get off to a strong start behind their powerful rushing attack, and Kent State (+5.5, -106) won’t be able to keep up.

As mentioned above, three of Kent State’s six losses were against Power 5 squads. However, its defense hasn’t been much better in the past three conference losses, allowing 45 to Ohio, 23 to Miami-Ohio and 35 to Toledo. The last time these teams met, Buffalo came away with a 48-14 win Nov. 6, 2018.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER (56.5, -110) is 5-1 in Buffalo’s past six appearances on Thursday night, and 6-1 in the past seven on the road against teams with a losing record. The under is also 7-2 in Kent State’s past nine showings on Thursday and 5-2 in the past seven at home.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Northern Illinois-Toledo odds: Banged-up Toledo slight favorite

Previewing Wednesday’s Northern Illinois at Toledo college football matchup, with college football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Northern Illinois Huskies (3-6, 2-3 MAC) travel to meet the host Toledo Rockets (6-3, 3-2) Wednesday night at the Glass Bowl in a nationally televised game. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

We analyze the Northern Illinois-Toledo odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Northern Illinois at Toledo: Three things you need to know

1. Toledo can move within a half-game of first-place Western Michigan in the MAC’s West Division with a victory, joining Central Michigan at 4-2 in the conference. The Rockets already beat WMU and play CMU on Nov. 29.

2. Northern Illinois is coming off a 48-10 humbling at CMU, and the Huskies are 1-5 straight up and 3-3 against the spread on the road this season.

3. Toledo ranks 12th in the nation with 249.9 yards per game on the ground, but leading rusher RB Bryant Koback (leg) and dual-threat starting QB Mitchell Guadagni (undisclosed) are each question marks due to injuries. Koback was injured in the first half vs. Kent State last week, but RB Shakif Seymour stepped up and rumbled for a career-high 175 yards.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Northern Illinois at Toledo: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:55 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Toledo 23, Northern Illinois 20

Moneyline (ML)

TOLEDO (-129) is a tad risky with injury issues to their two biggest offensive stars. However, the pregame notes show Koback listed as the starting tailback. Even if he cannot go, Seymour did a good job carrying the mail against the Golden Flashes last week. And QB Eli Peters stepped up with 332 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception while posting a 2-0 record in the past two games in place of Guadagni. So he, too, is more than capable if needed.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Toledo returns a profit of $7.75.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Until there are zeroes on the clock you will not feel completely at ease with a play of TOLEDO (-2.5, -106). NIU (+2.5, -115) is barely hanging on this season, needing three straight wins to finish at 6-6 and gain bowl eligibility. The Huskies are a proud team that will not go easily into the night; however, they just do not have the guns this season, and they were blasted 48-10 in Mount Pleasant last week by a team with similar talent to Toledo.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER (53.5, -110) is a good play in this one, as Toledo’s strength is on the run game and thus regardless of whether Koback plays, the Rockets will be running. Teams that are run-heavy are friends of the ‘under’ bettor, as that chews up clock. NIU is a marginal offense, ranking 98th in total yards, so that helps the under, too.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Eastern Michigan-Akron odds: Akron searching for first win

Previewing Tuesday’s Eastern Michigan Eagles at Akron Zips sports betting odds and lines, with college football matchup analysis and picks.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-5) head to Northeast Ohio Tuesday night trying to keep the Akron Zips (0-9) down. The MACtion kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at InfoCision Stadium. We analyze the Eastern Michigan-Akron odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Eastern Michigan at Akron: Three things you need to know

1. Eastern Michigan needs two wins for bowl eligibility, and the three remaining teams on the schedule have a combined record of 6-21 straight up.

2. Not only is Akron winless at 0-9, the Zips are the only team in FBS which hasn’t covered the spread this season, too.

3. Eastern Michigan won the most recent meeting by a 27-7 score back on Nov. 10, 2018 on the gray turf in Ypsilanti.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Eastern Michigan at Akron: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Eastern Michigan 45, Akron 13

Moneyline (ML)

EASTERN MICHIGAN (-1000) is a bit too expensive on the moneyline, but the Eagles are going to get it done on the road. Akron (+525) has been the worst team in FBS, and shows no signs of turning it around.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Eastern Michigan returns a profit of $1.

Against the Spread (ATS)

EASTERN MICHIGAN (-16.5, -115) is the better play, as it looks to keep up the offensive resurgence and get into position for a bowl game. The Eagles have scored 23 or more points in three of the past four games, and five of the past seven. The Eagles rank 32nd in the nation with 276.6 passing yards per game, so they can move the ball. Their problem is a lack of defense, ranking 109th in points allowed (33.2 PPG). The Eagles are 6-0 against the spread in the past six trips to Akron, and 9-3 ATS in the past 12 meetings in this series overall.

EMU’s lack of defense shouldn’t be a problem against Akron (+16.5, -106), as the Zips rank near the bottom of FBS in total yards per game (255.6), rushing yards per game (52.9) and points scored (10.2). They’re 129th in total yards, and 130th in rushing yards and scoring. Defensively, the Zips have allowed 35.7 PPG to rank 119th in the country.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER (46.5, -110) has cashed in four straight on the road for Eastern Michigan, and the Over is 3-1-1 in its past five conference tilts. Akron has a total of nine points scored over its past four games against Kent State, Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green. However, the defense has allowed 84 total points over the past two, and 26 or more points in eight of nine this season.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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