Central Michigan vs. Northwestern

The Mid-American Conference continues to impress in the bowl season as Western Michigan and Ohio got outright wins, and Toledo covered against Louisville. Matt Drinkel has done a fine job in his first year as head coach at Central Michigan, as the Chippewas have won six of nine to finish the regular season 7-5, improving from 4-8 in 2024. The Chippewas are on a 5-1 ATS run, and Northwestern has lost four of its past five games, although the Wildcats have played a Big Ten schedule. Northwestern has allowed an average of 29.0 points in a five-game span. Central Michigan features a strong running game with a lot of depth, and that will be important as the leading rusher, Nahree Biggins, has left to focus on the NFL Draft. QB Angel Flores has been out with an injury, but could return after leading the Chippewas with eight rushing TDs and 519 yards in eight games. Joe Labas took over for Flores and threw for 1,676 yards and 12 TDs. The Chippewas lost 21-3 to Toledo in their regular-season finale, but they are 3-0-1 ATS in their past four games following a double-digit home loss. Take Central Michigan.