The day after Christmas will offer some exciting matchups for college football fans with the GameAbove Sports Bowl featuring Northwestern facing Central Michigan. Scheduled for Friday, December 26, at 1 p.m. ET, the game will take place at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Under the leadership of coach David Braun, Northwestern achieved a respectable 6-6 record this season, despite initial expectations that had them near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. However, the Wildcats enter bowl season on a bit of a rough patch, having lost four of their last five games. They will seek to turn things around against Central Michigan, who finished their season with a 7-5 record in Matt Drinkall’s debut season as head coach. This marks the Chippewas’ most successful season since 2021.
Fans can catch the game on ESPN, with the broadcast team of Matt Schumacker and Dustin Fox delivering the action from the field, while Ashley Stroehlein will provide updates from the sidelines. Streaming options include the ESPN app and Fubo, which is offering a free trial for new users.
Betting insights highlight Northwestern as a 10.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 43.5 points. Predictions suggest a Northwestern victory, with a projected score of 31-16, supported by their strong top-40 defense that has averaged just 20.9 points allowed per game throughout the season. Despite a challenging end to their regular season, the Wildcats’ defensive capabilities could prove key as they aim to secure a Bowl victory against the Chippewas.
As fans gear up for the game, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding this contest, following a season filled with ups and downs for both teams.