Central Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction 12/26/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

Andrew Jett

2 months ago

Oct 4, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats cheerleaders before a game against the ULM Warhawks at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

MATCHUP	Central Michigan Chippewas	Northwestern Wildcats
Team Records	7-6	7-6
Where	Ford Field, Detroit, MI
When	Friday, December 26, 2025
Time	01:00 PM EST
TV	ESPN

The Central Michigan Chippewas and the Northwestern Wildcats meet Friday in GameAbove Sports Bowl college football action from Ford Field in Detroit. Here’s a Central Michigan vs Northwestern prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Central Michigan vs Northwestern pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Preview

The Chippewas opened the season on a tepid 3-3 run over their first six games. The losses in that time were versus Pitt, Michigan and Akron. Central Michigan finished the season on a 4-2 stretch over their final six outings, falling to Western Michigan and Toledo among wins over Bowling Green, UMass, Buffalo and Kent State. That gives the Chippewas a 7-5 overall record in 12 games this year.

In the Toledo matchup back on November 29, the Chippewas went into the locker room with a 3-0 lead. Central Michigan gave up three unanswered touchdowns from there in a 21-3 loss in the end. QB Joey Labas had a 19-of-30 line for 242 yards and a pick while Brock Townsend led the rush with 14 carries for 68 yards. Tommy McIntosh had 83 yards from six catches as the team’s leading receiver in the losing effort.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

Over on the Northwestern side, they went a nice 5-2 over their first seven games, taking losses to only Tulane and Oregon in that time. The schedule got tougher from there though, and the Wildcats finished on a 1-4 skid featuring a lone win over Minnesota. The losses otherwise were versus Nebraska, UsC, Michigan and Illinois. Over 12 games this year that gives the Wildcats a 6-6 record in the books.

Matched up against Illinois on November 29, the Wildcats came into the second half down by four. Northwestern didn’t end up getting any closer on a 6-3 run from there and lost 20-13. QB Preston Stone had 163 yards, one TD and three picks on 19-of-36 passing, and Robby Preckel led the rush with 22 carries for 82 yards. Hayden Eligon had the lone TD catch among eight grabs for 99 total yards in the losing effort for the Wildcats.

Central Michigan Chippewas @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: Bowl

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

Central Michigan has lost nine of its last 10 games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
Northwestern has won each of its last five Bowl games.
Central Michigan has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games played at neutral venues.
Northwestern has covered the spread in five of its last six games at neutral venues.
Northwestern has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.

Why the Central Michigan Chippewas will win

Northwestern has lost each of its last six games against teams from Michigan.
Central Michigan has covered the spread in 11 of its last 12 games against teams from Illinois.
Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.

Total Points Facts

Four of Northwestern’s last five games have gone OVER the total points line.
Three of Central Michigan’s last four games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.

Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts

Heading into the bowl games, Jack Olsen ranks 3rd in the Big Ten Conference for made field goals (19) this season.

Central Michigan Chippewas Player Prop Facts

Heading into the bowl games, Joe Labas ranks 1st in the Mid-American Conference amongst qualified players for passer rating (105.8) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

Northwestern ranks T19th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (91.1).
Northwestern ranks 20th among FBS teams for 1st downs against this season (210).
Central Michigan ranks 125th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (205).
Central Michigan ranks 12th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (73.2).

Central Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction

I’ll lean toward the Wildcats. I’m probably not touching this one though, as Northwestern has been struggling amid some tricky matchups lately. One of those losses came in their most recent outing versus Illinois, as the Wildcats went just 5-of-13 on third-down conversion attempts and had four turnovers. The defense was pretty solid though, holding the Illini to just 14 first downs and 2-of-10 on third-down tries. Northwestern averages 22.5 points per game this year with 181.8 pass yards per game, 14 scores and 12 interceptions. On the ground the Wildcats have 167.1 yards per game with 15 scores. Northwestern gets credit for playing in a very difficult conference, though.

As for the Chippewas, they’re averaging 23.8 points per game with 166.2 pass yards, 15 pass scores and six interceptions. CMU averages 169.5 yards per game on the ground with 17 rush scores. Prior to their three-point dud versus Toledo, the Chippewas had been scoring well with 21 or more points in eight straight games (a 6-2 run).