Less than six weeks after meeting each other in the regular season, the Toledo Rockets and Miami (OH) RedHawks will do battle in Detroit in the 2023 MAC Championship Game.
Can the RedHawks avenge their earlier season loss or will the Rockets soar to a second successive title? Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a MAC Championship Game prediction.
MAC Championship Game Betting and DFS Preview
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. Want to take advantage of the MAC Championship Game odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page to place bets in your state.
- Spread
Toledo -7.5 - Moneyline
Toledo -290, Miami (OH) +235 - Over/Under
44 points - Game time
Noon ET - Location
Ford Field, Detroit, MI - How to Watch
ESPN, FuboTV
Are you putting your money behind Miami in the MAC Championship Game, or are you looking to toss some change on Toledo? If you’re going to take advantage of the MAC Championship Game odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard-earned cash.
Toledo has been unstoppable since their opening-day defeat to Illinois, and even then, they came close to pulling off the upset win against Power Five opposition. Having already beaten the RedHawks in that run, HC Jason Candle’s team is the favorite to repeat as the conference champion. Our MAC Championship Game prediction agrees, but it could be a close game.
As a result, it’s worth considering taking Miami (OH) against the spread. The RedHawks have covered in all but three of their games this season. While one of them was the first edition of Toledo vs. Miami (OH), the line was just 2.5 points, and the Rockets won by just four points. Furthermore, Toledo has covered in just half of their 2023 college football season games.
MORE: MAC Quarterback Rankings
Finishing up the MAC Championship Game odds with the total points line, the 44 points offered by DraftKings Sportsbook is a reflection of the defensive strength of the two teams. Meanwhile, combined they’re at 12-12 covering the line this year. Our prediction has them covering the line by one point, but it could easily fall on either side, with the first clash tallying just 38 points.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Toledo Depth Chart | Miami (OH) Depth Chart
- QB Dequan Finn, Toledo
- QB Aveon Smith, Miami (OH)
- RB Peny Boone, Toledo
- RB Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
- RB Connor Walendzak, Toledo
- RB Rashad Amos, Miami (OH)
- RB Kenny Tracy, Miami (OH)
- RB Keyon Mozee, Miami (OH)
- WR Junior Vandeross III, Toledo
- WR Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
- WR Larry Stephens, Toledo
- WR Gage Larvadain, Miami (OH)
- WR Joe Wilkins, Miami (OH)
- WR Cade McDonald, Miami (OH)
- WR Javon Tracy, Miami (OH)
- TE Anthony Torres, Toledo
- TE Nate Muersch, Miami (OH)
There are eight college football games on the Saturday of Championship Game weekend to compile your DFS team from. If you’re new to DFS, Fanduel Superflex contests require you to select a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, and a “Superflex” that can be any of the above or a tight end.
Since QB Brett Gabbert went out the first game against Toledo, the Miami (OH) offense has had to lean on the ground game, and it has proven to be very successful. RB Rashad Amos has scored at least one touchdown in the RedHawks’ last five games, with multiple touchdowns in two of the last three games. He ended the year as the MAC East RB2 with 141.6 fantasy points.
MORE: What Does MACtion Mean?
The Rockets’ high-powered offense means they boast multiple valuable fantasy assets, and your Toledo vs. Miami (OH) picks should include RB Peny Boone. Snubbed by the Doak Walker Award voters, despite rushing for over 1,000 yards and tallying 16 total touchdowns, the former Maryland running back has amassed 250.5 fantasy points as the RB9 in the nation.
Both Jerjuan Newton and Gage Larvadain are top-100 fantasy WRs, but a focus on the ground game — and in Newton’s case, the focus of defensive coordinators’ attention — has meant neither has scored a touchdown since mid-October which impacts their fantasy value regardless of their obvious talent. Your MAC Championship Game picks should avoid the position.
Prediction for the MAC Championship Game
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with the MAC Championship Game odds and some DFS picks. Now, it’s time to close this thing out with our prediction. Will the Rockets repeat their regular season win over the RedHawks for a second successive MAC title or can Miami (OH) win their first conference crown since 2019?
When HC Chuck Martin took over at Miami (OH), many considered it the worst job in football, but the RedHawks’ head coach has done a great job of making them a consistent force in the MAC. They’ve earned their place in Detroit on the back of an impressive defensive unit and an offense that has had to withstand the loss of their QB and has done so with aplomb.
They have the talent on both sides of the ball to make the MAC Championship Game a difficult affair. The RedHawks have given up just 16.3 points per game this year and haven’t allowed more than 16 since their defeat to Toledo in mid-October. Importantly for their matchup with the Rockets, their rush defense has allowed just 3.59 yards per carry and just 10 touchdowns.
The RedHawks also have some playmakers in the secondary who can give Toledo QB Finn and a talented WR room some trouble. Miami (OH) has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the MAC, and the Rockets only tallied 160 passing yards and completed just 57.1% of pass attempts in the first game between the two teams in 2023.
While the Toledo defense has also been stout behind linebacker duo Dallas Gant and Daniel Bolden, plus a secondary packed with talented playmakers, including future NFL cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Bowling Green demonstrated some weakness that can be exploited. They’ve allowed 30-plus points in four games this year.
However, it’s debatable if Miami (OH) has offensive dimensions to provide the same test. In a close game, the offensive excellence of the Rockets could prove too much to tame for a full 60 minutes. A close, exciting game is set to play out in Detroit, but Toledo remains the team to beat in the MAC.
Prediction: Toledo 24, Miami (OH) 21