Central Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction, Pick & Spread for GameAbove Sports Bowl

• Central Michigan and Northwestern play for the first time since 2010
• Northwestern looks to finish with a winning record
• Continue reading for my Central Michigan vs Northwestern prediction and pick

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The Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) and Northwestern Wildcats (6-6) battle in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, will host the game at 1:00 PM ET on Friday, Dec. 26. ESPN will carry the broadcast.

Continue reading for my Central Michigan vs Northwestern prediction as well as my pick and the odds for the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Central Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction

My final Central Michigan vs Northwestern prediction: Northwestern 28, Central Michigan 17

I am backing Northwestern to win comfortably over Central Michigan with a late cover of over 43 points. With a win, Northwestern would move to 2-0 lifetime against the Chippewas.

Central Michigan vs Northwestern Pick

• Over 43 (-110, Fanatics)

I am backing Over 43 in the GameAbove Sports Bowl for the following reasons:

• I have my doubts that Central Michigan will be able to pass protect. In a field position battle, I expect Northwestern to have several short fields off punts or turnovers, giving the Wildcats ample opportunity to score quickly.
• Not to be outdone, Northwestern’s Preston Stone led the Big Ten with 12 interceptions. It may only take one off-target throw to put Central Michigan in scoring range to reach the over.
• Northwestern has quite a big-play rushing offense as the Wildcats have 50 explosive runs. Caleb Komolafe leads the team with 17 and Joseph Simon has 13.

Central Michigan Analysis

Central Michigan has struggled to pass block this season. The main culprit is right tackle Martin Koivisto, who has a PFF 14.1 pass-blocking grade. He has surrendered 21 pressures with two sacks and seven hits. He has been penalized seven times. Two other Chippewas have allowed at least 10 pressures on the season.

The Chippewas have an effective rushing attack with four different runners surpassing 390 yards (excluding sacks). The lead back is Nahree Biggins who has 541 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Angel Flores has over 500 yards (excluding sacks) with eight touchdowns.

1Q, 8:19 | First career touchdown for Flores!

Chippewas lead 14-0. pic.twitter.com/Y7wJ7srW2z

— Central Michigan Football (@CMU_Football) September 20, 2025

Defensively, the unit to watch is Central Michigan’s secondary. Cornerback Kalen Carroll has 11 forced incompletions, picking one pass off and allowing just one touchdown. He has surrendered just a 62.6 NFL passer rating when in coverage.

Opt-Outs

• Kade Kostus, DL (transfer portal)

The Chippewas will be without defensive lineman Kade Kostus. The junior played in four games this season, recording 0.5 tackles for a loss and 0.5 sacks.

For an update on bowl game opt-outs and injuries, check out our CFB bowl opt-out tracker.

Northwestern Analysis

In contrast to the Chippewas, the Wildcats have quite a sturdy offensive line. The stud of the group is left tackle Caleb Tiernan. Tiernan, a likely Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has an 82.8 PFF pass-blocking grade this season. He has allowed two or fewer pressures in 11 of 12 games. He has pitched five pressure shutouts.

Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan working in space pic.twitter.com/BWhXro1rPC

— Drew Beatty (@IronCityFilm) November 2, 2025

Northwestern can really run the rock, particularly through Caleb Komolafe. Komolafe leads the Wildcats with 886 yards and 10 touchdowns. Behind him, Joseph Himon has pitched in 486 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Northwestern is stout against the run. Safety Robert Fitzgerald averages just a shade under three run stops per game, posting a 91.0 PFF run-defense grade this season. The Wildcats have allowed 4.4 yards per rush.

Central Michigan vs Northwestern Odds

Northwestern is a big favorite in the GameAbove Sports Bowl odds. Northwestern bettors can get the Wildcats at -10.5 on the spread at Caesars (-107 odds) or -405 odds on the moneyline at FanDuel. Central Michigan bettors can get the Chippewas at +10.5 on the spread at FanDuel (-110 odds) or +330 on the moneyline at DraftKings.

The total is set between 43 and 44 points. Over bettors can get over 43 at Fanatics for -110 odds. Under bettors can get under 44 for -122 odds on BetRivers.

Odds as of December 25, 2025, at consensus College Football betting apps. Make sure you check out the best online sportsbook to bet on the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Central Michigan vs Northwestern History

Central Michigan and Northwestern have battled once in school history, with the Wildcats pulling out a 30-25 victory back in 2010. Northwestern jumped out to a 30-13 lead before CMU clawed back with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.

GameAbove Sports Bowl History

Previously known as the Quick Lane Bowl, this is the 11th iteration of the GameAbove Sports Bowl, played every year since 2014 besides 2020. This is the first time either Central Michigan or Northwestern are playing in this bowl game.

Last season, Toledo won a six–overtime affair over Pittsburgh, the longest bowl game in NCAA history. Tied at 30 through regulation, both teams scored a touchdown, a field goal, and three two-point conversions before Game MVP Junior Vandeross caught the game-winning two-pointer. Vandeross had 12 other catches for 194 yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh’s Julian Dugger had 160 total yards with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.