The more conferences change, the more the MAC stays the same. In a year that will see seismic shifts in the college football landscape -- Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten, the Pac-12 gone forever -- the MAC keeps plugging along virtually intact. All 12 current conference members have made the MAC home since 1999, an eternity in college football terms.

Indeed, the MAC picks up in 2024 how it ended 2023. In the preseason poll of the conferences coaches, Miami (Ohio) was selected as the favorite to win the MAC championship game, one season after it won the MAC championship game. Toledo was picked to finish second to the RedHawks, one season after it finished second to the RedHawks.

Even the lineup of coaches in the conference remains stable. Eleven head coaches from last season return this year. That number would have been a perfect 12-for-12, but Maurice Linguist resigned as coach in Buffalo in January to join Alabama as an assistant coach. Pete Lembo takes over the Bulls. 

What qualifies as "change" in the MAC is this: The former East-West divisional alignment has been axed this year. It has been replaced by a new scheduling format that will allow a team to face each of the other 11 conference foes home and away at least once every three years. The new format also will incorporate protected opponents based on rivalries and geography.

Before making any MAC bets for the 2024 season, you need to see what legendary college football handicapper Bruce Marshall has to say.  

For years, the Vegas-based Marshall was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter. With a background in play-by-play work and sports information while in college, he joined TGS in 1981 when hired by the legendary Mort Olshan and served as executive editor for many years. Marshall now supplies his unique and colorful brand of football and basketball analysis to SportsLine members. 

Now, Marshall has set his sights on the 2024 MAC season. He has revealed his best bets, including which team will win the conference title and which clubs to back in regard to their win totals. You ABSOLUTELY need to see what they are before making any MAC picks. 

2024 MAC odds

Numbers as of July 21

So which team is the best bet to win the 2024 MAC title? Which teams are the best bets to go Over or Under their win total for the 2024 season? And what other futures bets are worth making? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out, all from the legendary Vegas handicapper who has won multiple handicapping titles!