Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan NCAAF Prediction (November 1, 2025)
Western Michigan enters week 10 with a chance to take back The Victory Cannon trophy, and oddsmakers like ESPN Bet have them as 5.5-point home favorites. Given how tense this conference rivalry has been, however, are they really the right pick?
To their credit, Western Michigan has been on point (3-1) inside the MAC, but their effort outside of the conference has raised some eyebrows (1-3). They get the benefit of playing in front of their home crowd, and they know Central Michigan well, but there’s reason to think twice before betting on this game.
Then there’s the Central Michigan Chippewas, who own the better record at 5-3 and offer premium betting value, but have wilted in big-time situations more than once in 2025.
Early odds suggest a relatively close and low-scoring game, and with Western Michigan stealing the much-sought-after cannon from their bitter rivals. If you’re unsure of how to bet on this game, join me as I scan the latest odds, inspect the matchups, and point you to my preferred bets.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: Central Michigan (5-3) vs. Western Michigan (4-4)
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 1, with kickoff at 3:00 pm CT (4:00 pm ET)
- Venue: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Team Record
- Central Michigan: 5-3, 3-1 in the MAC.
- Western Michigan: 4-4, 3-1 in the MAC.
Betting Odds
Check out the latest Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan betting odds, per ESPN Bet:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Central Michigan | +5.5 (-110) | +170 | Over 43.5 (-105) |
Western Michigan | -5.5 (-110) | -200 | Under 43.5 (-115) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
This is the type of game that demands a rivalry section in a betting breakdown like this. Not only are these two teams from the same conference (MAC) and in the same state, but they have rich history with a fun trophy up for grabs.
The cannon-shooting Chippewas and Broncos have already faced off 92 times before, giving fans one of the more intense rivalries in college football. They also routinely fight for The Victory Cannon, a wooden trophy that carries more weight than simply getting a hard-earned ‘W’.
Central Michigan got the last laugh in a ridiculously tight 16-14 win last year, but this series has been back-and-forth throughout its history. The last four meetings have been split (2-2), while each of the last five meetings have been decided by 12 points or less.
The Broncos hold the overall series edge (49-41-2) and will be eager to get The Victory Cannon back in their possession.
Why This Game Matters
Did you not hear my fawn over The Victory Cannon trophy? It may not mean much to anyone that isn’t a fan of these teams, but it’s a pretty big deal for those cheering on the Chippewas and Broncos.
Winning this game is basically everything anytime these teams have little else to play for, so call it their Super Bowl if you’d like. But beyond that, both teams still have a chance at winning the MAC, while bowl games are still within striking distance.
For both pride and what is reachable at the end of the year, this game couldn’t be much bigger.
Team Profiles
Central Michigan Chippewas
The Chippewas have the better record going into this matchup, but it’s hard to say they’re the better team. They can definitely dominate on the ground, as they are averaging an insane 200 rushing yards per game (21st in the country)
Rushing quarterback Angel Flores paces the team with 519 yards on the ground (along with 8 TDs), while he’s been accurate, efficient, and very careful with the ball when called upon to do damage through the air. Joe Labas is the other half of their two-quarterback system, and he’s been extremely careful with the ball and owns a blistering 71% completion rate.
That said, Central Michigan wants to run the ball (69% run play rate), and they tend to get in trouble if they can’t make that happen. We’ve seen them bounce back with two wins lately, but they have beaten up on some lesser opponents and looked rather awful in the face of top-tier competition.
Western Michigan Broncos
The Broncos are an interesting case, as they have been just as good as the Chippewas in the MAC, and they’ve bounced back nicely following a rough 0-3 start. Those three losses were out of conference play, with two coming against superior Big 10 teams and another coming in a 33-30 shootout with North Texas.
Some of that can be forgiven, especially since Western Michigan’s lone loss is against a red-hot Miami (Ohio) program, and they’ve otherwise been dominant in the conference.
The Broncos are not going to wow you offensively any more than this week’s opponent will, but they have a dominant defense (20th in scoring) that sniffs out the run pretty well and happens to own the nation’s 11th-best sack rate.
With a capable ground game, Western Michigan has just enough offense to churn through most matchups against same-level competition. Their elite defense is what tends to get them over the hump, though.
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key matchups:
- Central Michigan’s rush offense vs. Western Michigan’s run defense: The Chippewas have a nasty running game that needs to excel for them to have a chance to win this game, while the Broncos have the nation’s 45th-best run defense. The edge lies with Central Michigan, but not by a lot.
- Western Michigan’s pass rush vs. Central Michigan’s o-line: If the Broncos do find a way to stifle the ground game – and even if they don’t – their pass rush may be their last line of defense. If they can disrupt Flores’ timing, it could turn an accurate passer into a turnover machine.
- Turnovers & Penalties: Central Michigan ranks 5th in the country at protecting the football. Going up against a stellar defense could change that, but if they don’t implode, they should be able to hang tight. The Broncos are also as disciplined as they come, ranking 17th in penalties per game. If either of these teams go away from what has been working, their game plan could go off the rails.
Betting Insights & Trends
Central Michigan has gone a solid 5-3 against the spread this year. They’re just 2-3 ATS as the road team, however, and just 2-2 against the spread as the underdog.
The Broncos are 6-2 against the spread in 2025. They are 3-1 against the spread in MAC games, and 2-0 against the spread as the home favorite.
Neither of these teams have reliable offenses in terms of putting a lot of points on the board. The Over still has gone 5-3 for Central Michigan, but Western Michigan’s stone cold defense has played into the Over going just 3-5 for them this year.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Here are the top picks for this game:
| Bet | Recommendation | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
Western Michigan -200 | Jacksonville State runs the ball extremely well and tends to put up a good amount of points. Neither defense is particularly scary, and the last two meetings between these two sides totaled 62+ points. | 7/10 |
Central Michigan ATS +5.5 (-110) | The Gamecocks have the edge in just about every way in this game. They’ve proven to be the better team and have much more motivation to get the job done. | 7/10 |
Under 43.5 (-115) | The last clash between these two teams was a defensive snoozer, and I think we’ll see much of the same. Weak offense + Western Michigan’s nasty defense shouldn’t lead to a ton of scoring. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Western Michigan ML (-200)
- Secondary Pick: Central Michigan ATS +5.5 (-110)
This is going to be a hard-fought game with very little passing and as much running as either side can handle. Western Michigan has the edge at home and looks better across the board due to their defense. Fans and bettors can expect a low-scoring defensive battle that leans towards the Broncos, but one where the Chippewas should still hang around in.
Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan lines are shifting — track live odds and get the best numbers before kickoff. Compare current odds now at the top football betting sites.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
All of the above bets look good, but sometimes things go wrong. Considering the following:
- Rivalry Season: The biggest thing that could mess up these picks is the fact that rivalry games are inherently tough to gauge. You just never know if the underdog will rise up and shock the world – even if the numbers say they won’t.
- Running Wild: Central Michigan’s ground game is pretty gross (in a good way). They are a top 20 rushing offense, and they love to pound the rock. If they show up and dominate early, it could be game over for the Broncos.
- Identity Change: Central Michigan does not turn the ball over at all, and Western Michigan is very disciplined in the penalty game. If either of those things change, we could see a very different game than what we’re currently expecting.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: Western Michigan 20, Central Michigan 17
Central Michigan won the last meeting, but I think it’s Western Michigan’s turn to steal back The Victory Cannon. They have the way better defense, they’re also capable of running the ball, and they’ve got the backing of their home crowd.
The Chippewas have the ground game, patience, and ball security to be pesky, though. Look for Western Michigan to grind out a low-scoring win, but don’t expect them to pull away and blow their familiar foe out.
