Never, Ever Gamble on the MAC: Week 9

Take my advice and just don't do anything I'd do.

Image via Eastern Michigan Athletics

Welcome to “Never, Ever Gamble on the MAC”! This is a weekly gambling/non-gambling series where I make five picks against the spread and you do the following:

• Don’t listen to my advice,

• Follow your heart instead,

• And just be wise enough to remember that you’re putting real money down on gambling what the outcomes of Mid-American Conference football games could be.

All odds used below are from various sportsbooks, visible through VegasInsider.

Previous picks: Conference win totals | Week 1 (3-2 record) | Week 2 (3-2) | Week 3 (4-1) | Week 4 (3-2) | Week 5 (3-2) | Week 6 (3-1) | Week 7 (1-4) | Week 8 (3-2)

GAME PICKS: WEEK 9

Akron Week: History Unkind to EMU After Big, Comeback Victories

4 Players That'll Define Eastern Michigan at Akron

LAST WEEK: POSTED 3-2 RECORD

OVERALL ATS RECORD: 23-16

5 ATS PICKS (WEEK 8)

Miami -11 vs. Central Michigan

CMU’s QB situation is looking worse and worse over the last two games with injuries to Joey Labas (season) and Bert Emanuel (TBD). Miami’s defense is better, and they could be good for a defensive score at any point too.

Bowling Green +2.5 at Toledo

Is Toledo saying no to Bowling Green’s band’s request to perform at halftime (as traditionally done in the rivalry series) the Rockets’ way of saying that they’ve accepted the Mountain West’s invitation in-spirit? Either way, it’s a silly move by Toledo. Hope BG gets its revenge here.

Eastern Michigan -2.5 at Akron

EMU can rely on different playmakers across its offense when they make plays. The challenge for defense is to actually get some turnovers through the air. Both of EMU’s interceptions this season were made by linebackers, so those corners and safeties will be looking to get their own turnovers in this game against a pass-happy Akron offense.

Ball State +12.5 vs. Northern Illinois

Ball State’s due for a big surprise game, and NIU’s vulnerable enough to let a well-prepared and focused team get by them, even if it’s Ball State. I don’t know if Ball State will actually win outright, but I’m hoping Kadin Semonza takes a step forward here.

Western Michigan -18.5 vs. Kent State

Kent State’s winless but it hasn’t played terribly this year, and I think that’ll help WMU’s chances to not fall asleep in practice in preparation for this game.

MAC GAME NOT PLAYING

• Ohio -5.5 vs. Buffalo

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