The early college football picks and predictions are here with the opening lines for Week 10. Midweek MACtion is back as the streak of 27 straight days with football heads into double-digits this week, thanks to a terrific midweek slate of football. Let’s find early line value across the board and jump on some winners early.
Week 10 Early College Football Picks and Predictions
Time to go early line shopping and closing line buying on some midweek MAC games.
Ball State (+6.5) vs. Kent State (over 62)
This one has already climbed 2.5 points in favor of Kent State since late Sunday afternoon. And now is the time to grab the opposite end of the spectrum.
If you were able to get Kent State (-4), good on you in the early stages, but grab Ball State (+6.5) now and hammer it if it goes over seven points.
The Golden Flashes are just that, a flash, and they’ve been seemingly impossible to figure out on offense. They rank second in the MAC in yards per pass attempt and first in rushing yards per game. It’s a 1-2 punch on offense that has led them to their three victories this year, while their defense has surely let them down.
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As impressive as their offense has been this season, Kent State’s defense ranks 11th in the MAC in yards allowed, yards per attempt, and yards per game through the air. Ball State’s fourth-ranked passing attack will certainly be able to exploit this favorable matchup enough to keep it close.
Given that Ball State’s strength is on defense, however, that total point spread for the first of the midweek MACtion games is also enticing.
With this line, you could also take advantage of an offer from DraftKings Sportsbook that awards you $200 as a new user when you bet $5 on the moneyline.
Prediction: Kent State 34, Ball State 31
Buffalo vs. Ohio (+3)
Undefeated at home, the Ohio Bobcats are playing some of the most electric football in all of the country. Matching up against Buffalo, it’s the clash of styles that is most intriguing about this contest.
Buffalo is a run-first offense with a grind-it-out approach. Still, it’s been successful this season since the end of September, as the Bulls have won five overall and four conference games in a row. Their run game is paced by Ron Cook Jr. and Mike Washington, each averaging just over 4.4 yards per carry.
They’ve combined to score 13 touchdowns on the ground with the help of their quarterback, Cole Snyder. By averaging just 5.3 yards per play, however, their rushing attack is what paces them to just the fifth-best mark in the MAC.
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Ohio is not only the best in the MAC on a per-play basis, but their 6.33 yards per play is a top-32 figure across the country. They’ve dropped just a seven-point decision to Kent State in conference play, and this battle for first place in the MAC East is what midweek MACtion is all about.
In a battle of clashing offensive styles, take the home team to cover but the away team to win.
Prediction: Buffalo 30, Ohio, 28
Western Michigan vs. Bowling Green (-3.5)
Riding a two-game winning streak, the Bowling Green Falcons look to keep pace in the MAC East with what happens to be a must-have game against MAC West foe Western Michigan. The Broncos haven’t struck much fear into opposing defenses this season, as they rank dead last in just about every major offensive category in the conference.
For BGSU, it’s been their defense that’s propelled them to victory over the past two outings. As good as Matt McDonald looked against Central Michigan last week, the defense put him in favorable positions and kept CMU’s offense in check, save for QB Jase Bauer’s long carry of 60 yards.
Bowling Green forced four turnovers and returned a fumble for a touchdown against CMU, proving their defense deserved their preseason hype at this stage of the year. Look for 6’7″ Tyrone Broden to have yet another big impact on the game, as the Bowling Green receiver has hauled in multiple receptions in all but a single game this year.
Bowling Green keeps WMU in check like their in-state counterparts and cruises to a Wednesday victory.
Prediction: Bowling Green 27, Western Michigan 14
Central Michigan vs. Northern Illinois (under 55.5 points)
As good as the Northern Illinois offense has been at times in 2022, their defense has not done them any favors. In fact, NIU’s offense has put up at least 32 points in five games this year, yet the team has a 2-3 record in those games, including a 44-38 loss to Ball State.
On the other end, Central Michigan’s defense has gotten better as the season has gone along, allowing just three scores in two of their past three games. Even against Bowling Green last week, one of the touchdowns allowed was on an offensive fumble.
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As far as this Wednesday’s MACtion contest goes, a lot is dependent on their quarterback situation. Last week, Daniel Richardson started the contest before rotating snaps with Jase Bauer and ultimately losing his spot as the team’s starter in the second half against BGSU. Is Richardson set to return? Will the rotating quarterback situation continue? Or is this Bauer’s team now?
With that number of questions regarding one position, thinking about solving NIU’s offense and scoring on their defense is secondary. NIU gets it done with their ground game but keeps it close.
Prediction: Northern Illinois 28, Central Michigan 24