Central Michigan vs Bowling Green Prediction and Picks - October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC College football action on Saturday afternoon, and we have a Central Michigan vs Bowling Green Prediction ready to rock and roll. The Chippewas are off a bad 28-22 road loss to Akron to fall to 3-3 on the year. Bowling Green is also 3-3 on the year but they are off a 28-23 home win over Toledo. Bowling Green won last year's meeting on the road by a score of 23-13. Read on to see our Central Michigan vs Bowling Green prediction.
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Chipps Fall To Zips On The Road
Central Michigan enters Saturday’s matchup looking to rebound from a 28–22 loss to Akron, where quarterback Joey Labas threw for 134 yards on 12-of-21 passing. Labas has been efficient this season, completing 69.9% of his throws for 694 yards, 5 touchdowns, and just 1 interception, while dual-threat QB Angel Flores has added 384 rushing yards and 4 scores on the ground. The Chippewas average 338.7 total yards and 21.8 points per game, ranking 107th and 111th nationally, respectively. Their run game is the strength, with 188.5 rushing yards per game (38th in FBS), led by Flores and Nahree Biggins (278 yards, 5.1 YPC).
Defensively, Central Michigan has struggled to contain balanced offenses, allowing 381.8 yards per game (86th) and 28.8 points per game (100th). They’ve given up 225.7 passing yards and 156.2 rushing yards per contest, with opponents converting 50.6% of third downs—ranking dead last in the FBS. The Chippewas have forced 9 turnovers and recorded 14 sacks, but red zone defense has been inconsistent, and they’ve allowed 22 total touchdowns (11 passing, 11 rushing). Linebacker Michael Heldman leads the team with 4.5 sacks, while Dakota Cochran and Jordan Kwiatkowski have each snagged an interception.
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Central Michigan’s path to victory hinges on controlling time of possession (32:18 per game, 20th nationally) and leaning into their run game to keep Bowling Green’s offense off the field. They’ve converted just 71.4% of red zone trips into points and rank 128th in that category, so finishing drives will be critical. Head coach Matt Drinkall will need Flores and Labas to manage tempo and avoid turnovers, while the defense must find ways to get off the field on third down. If the Chippewas can grind out possessions and limit explosive plays, they’ll have a chance to steal a road win.
Falcons Ground The Rockets
Bowling Green comes in riding momentum from a 28–23 win over Toledo, where quarterback Lucian Anderson III threw for 92 yards and two touchdowns, and Cameron Pettaway exploded for 118 receiving yards and two scores on just two catches. The Falcons average 306.5 total yards and 22.3 points per game, ranking 127th and 104th nationally, but they’ve shown flashes of explosiveness through the air. Drew Pyne leads the team with 830 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, while Anderson has added 2 scores in limited action. The run game is led by Chris McMillian (247 yards, 3 TDs) and Cameron Pettaway (200 yards, 4.9 YPC), but overall rushing production sits at 140.7 yards per game (90th).
Defensively, Bowling Green has been slightly more consistent, allowing 378.2 yards and 25.3 points per game, ranking 83rd and 73rd nationally. They’ve given up 238.3 passing yards and 139.8 rushing yards per contest, and opponents have converted 32.4% of third downs. The Falcons have forced 11 turnovers (7 fumbles, 4 interceptions) and recorded 13 sacks, with linebacker Gideon Lampron leading the way with 57 tackles and 8 TFLs. Their red zone defense has held opponents to 88.2% scoring efficiency, and they’ve been solid in special teams, converting 92.3% of field goal attempts.
Bowling Green’s success hinges on protecting the football and capitalizing on scoring chances. They’ve committed 7 turnovers and rank 117th in third-down conversion rate (32.9%), so sustaining drives will be key. Head coach Eddie George has leaned into a balanced attack, but the Falcons will need Pyne or Anderson to stretch the field and open up running lanes. With both teams sitting at 3–3 and tied in the MAC standings, this game could swing on red zone execution and turnover margin.
Central Michigan vs Bowling Green Pick
Central Michigan vs Bowling Green Moneyline Pick
- Bowling Green -3.5 (4 Units)
Bowling Green -3.5 is a strong position in a matchup where the Falcons’ defensive consistency and red zone execution give them a clear edge. While both teams sit at 3–3, Bowling Green has shown more reliability in key situations—allowing just 25.3 points per game and holding opponents to a 32.4% third-down conversion rate. Linebacker Gideon Lampron anchors a defense that’s forced 11 turnovers and recorded 13 sacks, while the offense has found rhythm through Drew Pyne and Cameron Pettaway, who’s emerged as a vertical threat with 447 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Against a Central Michigan team that ranks dead last in third-down defense and struggles to finish drives, Bowling Green is built to control tempo and capitalize on short fields.
Offensively, the Falcons have enough balance to exploit Central Michigan’s defensive gaps, especially in the red zone where the Chippewas convert just 71.4% of trips into points—128th nationally. Bowling Green’s run game, led by Chris McMillian and Pettaway, has produced over 140 yards per game, and their passing attack has shown flashes of explosiveness despite modest yardage totals. Central Michigan leans heavily on dual-threat QB Angel Flores and a run-first approach, but Bowling Green’s front seven has held opponents to under 140 rushing yards per game and ranks top-50 in red zone defense. With home-field advantage and a more opportunistic defense, the Falcons are well-positioned to cover the number and stay in the hunt for a MAC title shot.
Central Michigan vs Bowling Green Over/Under Pick
- Over 43.5 (5 Units)
Over 43.5 makes sense in a matchup where both teams have enough offensive firepower and defensive inconsistency to push the total past the number. Central Michigan leans on a run-heavy scheme that averages 188.5 rushing yards per game, with dual-threat QB Angel Flores capable of breaking off chunk plays and extending drives. Bowling Green, meanwhile, has found rhythm through the air with Drew Pyne and vertical threat Cameron Pettaway, who’s averaging over 20 yards per catch and leads the team in receiving touchdowns. Both defenses rank outside the top 80 in total yards allowed and have combined to give up over 54 points per game. With red zone volatility, mobile quarterbacks, and explosive receivers on both sides, this MAC clash has the ingredients for a sneaky shootout.
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