Northwestern vs Central Michigan Prediction Football Picks Today 12/26/25

The Central Michigan Chippewas and Northwestern Wildcats meet Friday in the college football Sports Bowl at Ford Field. Here’s a Northwestern vs Central Michigan Prediction. This article will include a Northwestern vs Central Michigan Pick.

Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Preview

The Central Michigan Chippewas beat Kent State and lost to Toledo. Central Michigan has won 6 of its last 9 games. Joe Labas is completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 1,676 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Tommy McIntosh and Langston Lewis have combined for 914 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Tyson Davis has 20 receptions.

The Central Michigan Chippewas ground game is averaging 169.5 yards per contest, and Nahree Biggins leads the way with 540 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Central Michigan is allowing 22.7 points and 358.6 yards per game. Jordan Kwiatkowski leads the Central Michigan Chippewas with 105 tackles, Michael Heldman has 10.5 sacks and Brenden Deasfernandes has 2 interceptions.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats lost to Illinois and beat Minnesota. The Northwestern Wildcats have lost 4 of their last 5 games. Preston Stone is completing 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,174 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Griffin Wilde and Hayden Eligon II have combined for 1,259 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Hunter Welcing has 27 receptions.

The Northwestern Wildcats ground game is averaging 167.1 yards per contest, and Caleb Komolafe leads the way with 886 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 20.9 points and 334.9 yards per game. Robert Fitzgerald leads the Northwestern Wildcats with 109 tackles, Aidan Hubbard has 4.5 sacks and Mac Uihlein has 4 interceptions.

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Central Michigan has lost each of its last eight games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
• Northwestern has won each of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Northwestern has covered the spread in each of its last four games in December.
• Central Michigan has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games at neutral venues.
• Northwestern has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
• Central Michigan has lost the first half in each of its last eight games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.

Why the Central Michigan Chippewas will win

• Northwestern has lost each of its last four games as a favorite against teams from Michigan.
• Central Michigan has won seven of its last 10 games as an underdog against teams from Illinois.
• Central Michigan has covered the spread in each of its last 10 games as an underdog against teams from Illinois.
• Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against teams from Michigan.

Total Points Facts

• Six of Northwestern’s last seven games against teams from Michigan have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Central Michigan’s last three games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into the bowl games, Mac Uihlein ranks T19th amongst FBS players for interceptions (4) this season.

Central Michigan Chippewas Player Prop Facts

• Heading into the bowl games, Michael Heldman ranks T10th amongst FBS players for sacks (10.5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Northwestern ranks 11th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (32:44).
• Northwestern ranks 17th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.9).
• Central Michigan ranks T7th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (34.8).
• Central Michigan ranks T127th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (4.2).

Northwestern vs Central Michigan Prediction

Central Michigan can really struggle on the offensive side, but there’s familiarity at Ford Field and there should be a decent showing from the fan base. Northwestern’s defense is probably the best unit between the teams, but I’m not laying double-digit chalk with a 98th total offense and 107th scoring offense. Northwestern just doesn’t have the offensive horses to blow teams out, and losing 4 of its last 5 games overall doesn’t scream good form. Also, Central Michigan has covered 7 of its last 9 games. Give me the points.