- Matchup: Central Michigan Chippewas vs Northwestern Wildcats
- Date: Friday, December 26, 2025
- Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Betting Line: Wildcats favored by 10.5 points
- Total Points Over/Under: 44
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The Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) will clash with the Northwestern Wildcats (6-6) at Ford Field this Friday on December 26, 2025, in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. According to Las Vegas odds, the Chippewas are opening as 10.5-point underdogs with a total points line set at 44.
This season, the Chippewas have a record of 7-5. Their most recent game ended in a defeat against the Toledo Rockets, who claimed victory with a score of 21-3. In that game, Central Michigan executed 66 plays, resulting in 323 total yards. The Chippewas rushed the ball 36 times, accumulating just 81 yards for an average of 2.3 yards per carry. On the defensive end, they allowed 205 rushing yards on 37 attempts, averaging 5.5 yards per rush. The Chippewas’ pass defense permitted 14 completions on 24 attempts, totaling 206 yards and a completion percentage of 58.3%.
Throughout the 2025 season, the Chippewas compiled 4,028 total yards. In terms of scoring efficiency, Central Michigan secured 16 touchdown passes while rushing for another 17. They turned the ball over 12 times and gained a total of 205 first downs, while committing 73 penalties for 587 yards. Averaging 169.5 rushing yards per game, they rank 57th in Division 1. As a unit, the Chippewas are averaging 23.8 points on a per-game basis.
Defensively, Central Michigan has allowed 2,486 passing yards, positioning them 39th in Division 1. On average, they surrendered 207.2 passing yards and had an opponents’ completion rate of 58.1%. Overall, they gave up an average of 358.6 yards per game, ranking 59th in Division 1. They allowed 16 passing touchdowns and an additional 17 rushing touchdowns, with opponents averaging 4.3 rushing yards per carry and 151.4 rushing yards per game, totaling 1,817 rushing yards over the season. Central Michigan ranks 49th in Division 1 for team defense, allowing 22.7 points per game.
On the other side, the Northwestern Wildcats enter this matchup with a record of 6-6. In their last outing, they faced the Illinois Fighting Illini, suffering a narrow defeat with a final score of 20-13. The Wildcats allowed 36 rushing attempts, yielding 120 yards (3.3 yards per carry). Their passing defense granted a completion rate of 68.8%, permitting 164 yards on 11 out of 16 passing attempts. Northwestern mustered a total of 254 yards on 65 plays, averaging 3.9 yards per play. In rushing, they averaged 3.1 yards per attempt, culminating in just 91 yards on 29 carries.
The Wildcats average 348.8 yards per game, ranking 96th nationally. They have incurred 420 penalty yards through 53 infractions, which ranks them 125th in mistakes across the nation. Their rushing attack has averaged 167.1 yards per game, reaching a total of 2,005 rushing yards this season. With 12 interceptions and 8 fumbles lost, they have secured 238 first downs. Scoring-wise, Northwestern sits at 104th in Division 1, averaging 22.5 points per game. They have amassed 2,182 passing yards for the year, translating to an average of 181.8 passing yards per game and positioning them 111th in the nation.
Defensively, Northwestern allows an average of 20.9 points per game, ranking them 34th in Division 1. Their defense surrendered a total of 1,680 rushing yards (140.0 yards per game) and 18 rushing touchdowns this season. Additionally, they have conceded 12 passing touchdowns, giving up an average of 194.8 passing yards per game, ranking 31st nationally. With 700 total defensive plays executed, they rank 2nd in Division 1, contributing to 8 fumbles and 8 interceptions. In total, they have allowed 251 points this season.
Will the Chippewas or Wildcats emerge victorious in this college football clash against the spread?
Expert Prediction: Bet on the Chippewas +10.5
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