College Football Betting: MACtion and Key Matchups

As Week 12 of college football approaches, several key matchups in the Mid-American Conference, or MAC, are creating significant interest for bettors. Among these, Buffalo will visit Central Michigan, while Ohio travels to Western Michigan. According to Sports Betting Dime, Central Michigan is currently a 1.5-point favorite against Buffalo, with both teams holding similar records of 5-4 overall, but differing conference standings. Buffalo boasts a conference record of 4-1, whereas Central Michigan is 3-2 in MAC play. Buffalo's recent performance includes a strong win against Bowling Green, where they dominated 28-3, showcasing their capability on both offense, averaging 24.8 points per game, and defense, allowing just 19.6 points per game. Meanwhile, Central Michigan recently lost to Western Michigan, and their performance stats reflect a need to improve, especially in their passing game, where they rank near the bottom in the nation. The matchup is particularly crucial as Buffalo has historically performed well against Central Michigan, winning three of the last four meetings, although they have struggled against the spread recently, failing to cover as favorites in their last five tries. Bettors should note that Central Michigan has been a stronger bet lately, covering in five of their last six games. The total points for this game has fluctuated, currently set around 42.5, with past encounters indicating a tendency towards higher scoring; four of their last five games have hit the over.

In another pivotal MACtion game, Ohio faces off against Western Michigan. The Ohio Bobcats are favored at a money line of minus 108, indicating a strong chance to win according to betting models. Ohio is coming off a significant win over Miami (OH) and is now positioned as a top contender in the conference. CBS Sports highlights that Ohio’s defense, which ranks well in the MAC, will be crucial against Western Michigan's dual-threat quarterback Broc Lowry. Lowry has excelled on the ground, rushing for over 70 yards in four of his last five games, making his rushing prop bets worth considering for Tuesday night.

As for the betting lines, Akron is favored by 5.5 points against Kent State, with the total set at 46.5. This game is also part of a broader MACtion slate expected to draw significant betting interest. The latest reports suggest that both the Ohio and Akron games will see substantial public and sharp money betting activity. Analysts recommend the under in the Akron versus Kent State matchup, given both teams' struggles to score against tougher defenses, particularly Kent State, which has only managed to score significantly against weaker teams like UMass. The betting trends indicate a strong preference for the under, with models predicting that the under on points will hit in a majority of simulations.

Overall, this week in MACtion presents several betting opportunities, with insights into team performances, player prop bets, and crucial matchups that could sway conference standings. Bettors should keep an eye on how these teams adapt to the pressure as they aim for bowl eligibility and a shot at the conference title.