It’s hard to imagine that Western Michigan currently has the third-best betting odds to win the MAC after last year’s poor season.
It helps that the league is pretty wide open this year and crazy things happen during MACtion, especially compared to other Group of Five conferences. While Toledo was a pretty slim favorite to win the league last season at +175, this year the odds feature five teams with odds of +650 or less. Miami (Ohio) is the favorite at +225, Toledo is at +325, Western Michigan is at +550, Bowling Green is at +600 and Northern Illinois is at +650.
Ohio (+1300) and Central Michigan (+1400) are next, followed by Buffalo and Eastern Michigan at +3500. Ball State (+4000), Akron (+6000) and Kent State (+15000) close out the odds. It’s the second straight season that Kent State is the underdog at +15000.
Not only is this a big change for WMU from last year, but it’s also a big change in expectations for BGSU. Both programs had a 50/1 chance to win the conference entering the 2023 season. Miami won the MAC title last year as the fourth favorite at +650.
Western Michigan offers the best value for winning the MAC championship
The MAC has done something that has become the norm for FBS conferences, which is to eliminate divisions. This means that the teams with the two best conference records will meet in the league title game.
Given the favorable schedule the Broncos have had this season, there’s a real chance they only lose one or two league games. Right now, it looks like WMU’s toughest contest will be against Bowling Green in Week 12. The previous game against Northern Illinois will also be a tough test, but I expect BGSU to be a little better than NIU this season. Plus, the Broncos visit the Falcons and have the Huskies at home.
The Broncos also have road games at Ball State, Buffalo and Central Michigan. Visiting the Chippewas in a rivalry game won’t be easy, but the road team has an 8-3 record in those games and WMU has won five of the last six.
But the most important thing is that the Broncos are not playing Toledo or Miami this season. And they are not playing Ohio State, even though I think they are the better team this season.
I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to say that WMU will be the favorite in at least six of their eight conference meetings, and that they’ll win at least six of those games as well. Getting into the MAC Championship could easily depend on this two-week matchup against BGSU and NIU.
If the Broncos could make it to the league title game, anything would be possible. The underdog has won five of the last six MAC championships. The games will also be played on neutral ground at Ford Field, unlike most other conference championships.
While I’m not predicting WMU to win the MAC, I think the Broncos have the best odds from a betting perspective. Not only do the Broncos have a good schedule, they also have a solid team and reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Jalen Buckley, who should continue to prove he’s an excellent playmaker.
Other important things to know about the MAC Championship odds
Just two years ago, Kent State was the favorite to win the MAC at 9/1 odds, while BGSU was at 100/1. What a difference that can make in just a few seasons.
After being 5/1 to start 2023, EMU is once again an underdog and is now +3500 to win the MAC. The Eagles were +1600 in 2022.
