The Central Michigan Chippewas and Northwestern Wildcats tangle Friday afternoon at Ford Field for the annual GameAboveSports Bowl.
With reserve quarterback Angel Flores returning to the Chippewas' lineup, my Central Michigan vs. Northwestern predictions expect CMU to make a game of it.
Read on for my college football picks for Friday, December 26.
Central Michigan vs Northwestern predictions for the GameAbove Sports Bowl
Who will win the GameAbove Sports Bowl?
Northwestern wins by leveraging its physicality to dominate the trenches. Its Top 40 scoring defense and superior third-down conversion rate should eventually wear down Central Michigan’s front seven, allowing the Wildcats to seal it late.
Central Michigan vs Northwestern best bet: Central Michigan +10.5 (-110)
While the market continually defaults to Power 4 prestige, the sharp value in Detroit lies with the "cover machine."
The Central Michigan Chippewas enter the GameAboveSports Bowl on a 5-1-0 against-the-spread run, and the return of dual-threat quarterback Angel Flores is something the books and the public might not have priced in.
The Northwestern Wildcats boast a Top 40 scoring defense, but their offense is a carbon copy of CMU’s, yet far more reckless. They lack an explosive gear, and with Preston Stone throwing 12 interceptions, the Wildcats won’t easily pull away from the Chips.
The "meat and potatoes" here is the trench battle: CMU’s front seven is elite at the point of attack, ranking 49th in scoring defense, and thrives in short-yardage stops.
CMU’s defense can stonewall Northwestern’s solid, run-heavy script, and it has the senior leadership to limit it to a one-score game, as 12 of the 16 editions of this game have ended.
With Flores back to revive a Chippewas rushing attack that averaged 202.1 yards with him active and nearly 100 more than their November output, CMU has the physicality to win the clock and exploit Northwestern’s turnover tendencies.
I expect CMU to win the trenches and find a way to cover the double-digit spread.
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Central Michigan vs Northwestern same-game parlay
Don’t let the "run-first" labels fool you; Ford Field is a fast track that historically breeds points.
With both teams capable of exploiting turnovers for short fields and the fast indoor turf favoring the playmakers, this 42.5 total is a massive discount. Take the Over.
Central Michigan vs Northwestern SGP
- Central Michigan +10.5
- Over 42.5
Central Michigan vs Northwestern odds
- Spread: Central Michigan +10.5 (-110) | Northwestern -10.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Central Michigan +315 | Northwestern -400
- Over/Under: Over 42.5 (-115) | Under 42.5 (-105)
Central Michigan vs Northwestern trend to know
Central Michigan is 5-1-0 ATS in its previous six games. Find more college football betting trends for Central Michigan vs Northwestern.
How to watch Central Michigan vs Northwestern
| Location | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
| Date | Friday, December 26, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
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