| Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) at Northwestern Wildcats (6-6) | |||
| Game Details: Friday, December 26, 11 a.m. EST | |||
| Location: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan | |||
| Where to Watch: ESPN |
Matchup
When the Northwestern Wildcats and Central Michigan Chippewas meet at Ford Field for the GameAbove Sports Bowl it will be early. Both teams know it will be key to come in wide awake and plan on scoring as both can get the ball in the end zone often.
The similarities are striking, but the motivation is distinct for each side. Northwestern is looking to shake off a rough end to the season where they lost four of their last five games, despite keeping things dangerously close against powerhouses like Michigan and Penn State.
On the other sideline, Central Michigan is looking for a signature win over a Big Ten opponent to validate his program’s rebuild. With the stadium located less than two hours from Mount Pleasant and serving as a neutral site in name only, the atmosphere should be charged with local energy.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Michigan Chippewas | +10.5 | +320 | Over 43.5 |
| Northwestern Wildcats | -10.5 | -405 | Under 43.5 |
**Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports **
Tale of The Tape
| Central Michigan Chippewas | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Northwestern Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| 23.8 | Points Per Game | 22.5 |
| 166.2 | Passing Yards Per Game | 181.8 |
| 169.5 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 167.1 |
| 22.7 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 20.9 |
| 207.2 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 194.8 |
| 151.4 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 140.1 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Central Michigan Chippewas
Central Michigan enters Detroit with a 7-5 record and an offensive identity that requires a bit of multitasking. Historically a program that thrives with running quarterbacks, the Chippewas have found success this season by utilizing a two-quarterback system. Joe Labas, a transfer who started his career at Iowa, handles the traditional passing duties, throwing for over 1,600 yards with a solid 68.9% completion rate. However, when the field shrinks or the team needs a spark on the ground, Angel Flores enters the huddle. Despite missing time with injuries, Flores leads the team with eight rushing touchdowns, providing a physical element that complicates defensive game planning.
Northwestern Wildcats
While the Wildcats lean heavily on a defense allowing just 20.9 points per game, the emotional heartbeat of the offense will be offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan. For Tiernan, this game is a homecoming. Considered one of the nation’s best linemen and an All-Big Ten second-team selection, he grew up just 20 miles away and played his high school ball at Detroit Country Day.
His history at Ford Field is a mix of triumph and heartbreak; he lost there as a junior but capped his prep career with a state championship in the same building as a senior. Now, he gets one last chance to claim victory on the Lions’ turf, admitting that while he wasn’t a fan of the place after his high school loss, his attitude has changed with the Lions’ recent success.
On the field, Northwestern will need Tiernan to clear lanes for running back Caleb Komolafe, who churned out 886 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Komolafe is a bruiser who rarely loses yardage, a necessary trait against a stiff Chippewa front.
Prediction
 Central Michigan may or not win, but they will cover. The point-spread is surprisingly high for a Northwestern team coming in with little success in the back half of their schedule.
