Central Michigan vs. Northwestern Picks and Prediction for Friday, December 26th, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5, 8-4 ATS, 7-5 O/U) take on the Northwestern Wildcats (6-6, 4-6-2 ATS, 5-7 O/U) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Friday afternoon in Detroit, and we have you covered with the prediction. The Chippewas posted a 7-5 record and went 5-3 in conference play. The Wildcats went 6-6 and registered a 3-5 mark in Big Ten action.
Can the Wildcats take this bowl game by more than 10 points on Friday? Check out the Central Michigan vs. Northwestern prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAF Picks!
Central Michigan Enjoys Strong Season
The Central Michigan Chippewas are back in a bowl game after missing out last season. Central Michigan enjoyed a strong season led by the defense. They did not lose consecutive games the entire season. The Chippewas lost to Michigan back in September and were a threat in MAC play, posting a 5-3 record. The squad is 3-2 in its past five games. This includes a loss against Western Michigan and a win against Kent State. The Chippewas ended the season with a 21-3 road defeat to Toledo in a bout that had the Chippewas as 10.5-point dogs. The Chippewas have covered the spread in five of their past six games
Joe Labas is a steady QB. The senior doesn’t attempt a ton of passes on an offense that prefers to run. Labas reached 200 yards in just three games and has recorded 1676 passing yards and a 12:6 TD to INT ratio on the season. The running game is a strength. Angel Flores, who hasn't played since October, will also see action at QB. He does not attempt many passes and is mobile. He opts with the run in most plays and is a big threat, posting 519 rushing yards in eight games. Nahree Biggins has surpassed 200 yards on two occasions this season. The senior RB has amassed 540 rushing yards on the year. Angel Flores is just behind with 519 yards despite playing fewer games.
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The receiving core doesn’t have a ton of depth. Langston Lewis has reached 50 yards in three games. The senior WR leads the squad with 513 receiving yards. The Central Michigan offense posted 323 yards in its most recent game against a potent Rockets team. The offense is averaging 335 yards per game.
The Chippewas' defense is a big reason they have a winning record. The group has conceded 21 or fewer points in four of its past five games. Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski is having a monster season, making 105 tackles. The defense is keeping opponents to an average of 359 yards per game. The pass defense is 48th, while the rush defense is not quite as strong, coming in at 71st.
Central Michigan is averaging 23.8 points on the year, ranking them 95th. The Chippewas are conceding an average of 22.7 points, placing them 50th in the country
Northwestern Enters Game as Huge Favorites
The Northwestern Wildcats are also back in a bowl game after they did not reach the six wins needed last year. Northwestern is having an inconsistent season, but plays in a daunting Big 10. The squad had an outstanding opening month of the season and was sporting a 5-2 record at one point. They have since managed just one win in their last five games. NW almost posted an upset in a 24-22 defeat to Michigan late in the season. They beat Minnesota on November 22nd, and wrapped the season with a 20-13 road defeat against Illinois in a meeting that had the Wildcats marked as seven-point dogs. The Wildcats are 4-5 in conference play. They have covered the spread in just one of their past five games.
Preston Stone has been hit or miss. The senior QB has surpassed 200 yards in three games this season, including 305 against Minnesota last month. Stone has posted 23174 passing yards, accompanied by a 14:12 TD to INT ratio. NW has a potent running game. Caleb Komolafe is a huge threat. The sophomore RB is steady, amassing 60 or more yards in all but two games. He has reported 886 rushing yards on the season.
The receiving core is mediocre. Griffin Wilde is targeted heavily. The junior WR netted 111 yards against Minnesota and has contributed with 783 receiving yards on the season. Hayden Eligion II is next up with 476 yards. The NW offense managed 255 yards against Illinois in its last game of the season. This brings their season average to 349 yards per game.
The Wildcats' defense stands in the top 35 in many categories. The unit has contained many strong opponents, conceding just 24 points against Michigan and 20 points against Illinois. They kept Illinois to just 285 total yards. The defense is conceding an average of 335 yards per game. Braydon Brus is a strong linebacker with 70 tackles. The pass defense is 30th, while the rush defense stands 52nd.
Northwestern is scoring an average of 22.5 points on the season, marking them 105th. The Wildcats are keeping opponents to an average of 20.9 points, placing them 32nd in the country.
Central Michigan vs. Northwestern Pick
Spread Pick for Central Michigan vs. Northwestern
- Northwestern Wildcats -10.5 (5 units)
The Central Michigan Chippewas are a decent team, but they play in the MAC, which isn’t close to the strength of the Big Ten, in which Northwestern plays. Central Michigan had difficulties scoring points against MAC opponents and has a daunting task against a Wildcats defense that ranks above average against the pass and run.
Furthermore, Northwestern has earned wins against Penn State and Illinois this season and only lost by two points against Michigan. Central Michigan will run more than pass, and the Wildcats' rush defense is keeping opponents to an average of 140 yards per game. Also, NW generates a good portion of its offense on the ground. This is good news against a shaky Chippewas rush defense that squanders an average of 151 rushing yards, ranking them 71st.
Over/Under Pick for Central Michigan vs. Northwestern
- Over 43 (5 units)
I expect plenty of scoring in this one. Central Michigan was a threat offensively in the second half of the season. They have scored 27 or more points in four of their past six games. While I expect the Wildcats to contain the Central Michigan offense, they have been shaky late in the season, conceding an average of 29 points in their past five games.
In addition, the Northwestern offense is going to have a massive output. Central Michigan played two non-conference games against Pittsburgh and Michigan, and the defense was exposed, surrendering 45 and 63 points in those two games. As mentioned, NW will run a ton, and the Chippewas' defense gave up 381 rushing yards in the defeat against Michigan. I expect a big game on the ground by NW. The over is a convincing 5-0 in the Wildcats' past five Friday games.
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