Western Michigan at Central Michigan - 2026 Matchup Preview
Western Michigan logo

Western Michigan Broncos at Central Michigan Chippewas

Central Michigan logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Kelly/Shorts Stadium - Mount Pleasant, MI  (Mid-American)

 
Broncos (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Taylor (20 - 19)
Avg Score : 25 - 17 (18 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 4.9 (#50)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
CMU is playing their 7th straight game
WMU is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: Western Michigan -1  (SP+ WMU -7.5)

Projected Score: WMU: 22 - CMU: 21 (43)
WMU Win prob: 48% | Cover: 46%
WMU Travel: 99 miles
Chippewas (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Drinkall (7 - 6)
Avg Score : 23 - 24 (30 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 5.3 (#60)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 10)
 
Western Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Western Michigan at Michigan+21
Sat 9/12Western Michigan vs Monmouth-20
Sat 9/19Western Michigan at Rice-10
Sat 9/26Western Michigan vs Boise State+4
Sat 10/3Western Michigan at Buffalo-3.5
Sat 10/10Western Michigan vs Kent State-17
Sat 10/17Western Michigan at Central Michigan-1
Sat 10/24Western Michigan at Toledo+10
Sat 10/31Western Michigan vs Bowling Green-10.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/10Western Michigan at Akron-7
Tue 11/17Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan-11
Tue 11/24Western Michigan vs Miami (OH)-0.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Michigan's Schedule
Central Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Central Michigan at New Mexico+10.5
Sat 9/12Central Michigan vs Colgate-16.5
Sat 9/19Central Michigan vs Wyoming-6.5
Sat 9/26Central Michigan at Miami+29.5
Sat 10/3Central Michigan vs Akron-8.5
Sat 10/10Central Michigan at Ohio+2
Sat 10/17Central Michigan vs Western Michigan+1
Sat 10/24Central Michigan vs Miami (OH)+3
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/4Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan-2.5
Wed 11/11Central Michigan vs Sacramento State-0.5
Wed 11/18Central Michigan at Buffalo+0
Sat 11/28Central Michigan at Ball State-13

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Central Michigan's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WMU#103 (.12)43% (55)24.947% (31)3.18 (25)20537% (116)1393.35 (105)#16 (.06)37% (17)17.438% (21)37% (21)2.83 (13)40.11.11.7
CMU#71 (.17)41% (89)22.540% (102)2.79 (103)16544% (42)1673.6 (80)#36 (.1)40% (47)23.541% (56)39% (43)3.14 (26)48.71.21.6
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
CMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WMU Offense1424.918.343.4%3.351.1193432051394.665%33%47%37%12%.12
CMU Defense1323.515.239.6%3.141.6 - - - - - 47%51%41%39%17%.1
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WMU Defense1417.421.736.9%2.831.7 - - - - - 49%49%38%37%17%.06
CMU Offense1322.530.441.1%3.61.217332165167463%35%40%44%16%.17

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Michigan1432:3418.940%44%4.640.11.11.75.93.1232
Central Michigan1332:0616.934%58%648.71.21.65.32.2229
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WMU Offense1465% (5)47% (31)44.2204.54.631 (49).14 (57)3.18 (25)76% (38)9% (61)0.9 (97)
CMU Defense1347% (40)41% (56) - - - - .04 (34)2.83 (55)62% (12)10% (62)0.9 (38)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WMU Defense1449% (56)38% (21) - - - - .06 (46)2.77 (48)73% (86)11% (17)1.02 (98)
CMU Offense1363% (7)40% (102)41.4165.1417 (78).07 (91)2.79 (103)75% (47)12% (120)0.92 (84)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WMU Offense1433% (132)37% (116)13.221.8138.56.410.510 (114)6 (34).1 (125)1.4 (120)30% (44)24% (128).15 (121)3% (7)1.9 (103)
CMU Defense1351% (96)39% (43) - - - - - - 13 (12).19 (46)1.5 (63)32% (61)27% (32).26 (55)7% (22)2 (73)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WMU Defense1449% (75)37% (21) - - - - - - 12 (55).1 (11)1.5 (28)34% (23)28% (54).12 (12)6% (67)1.7 (6)
CMU Offense1335% (130)44% (42)13.519.5167.18.612.316 (106)7 (3).4 (22)1.6 (40)32% (73)26% (117).31 (67)4% (15)2.1 (36)

Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: -5.34  #100
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 14.54  #82
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 19.88  #113
2026 Talent Rating: 440.00  #117
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #101
Western Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Western Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.4  #81
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #105
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.8  #42

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -5.34   Central Michigan: -4.36

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -1.4   Central Michigan: -8.8




Central Michigan's Power Ratings
Central Michigan's Power Rating: -4.36  #97
Central Michigan's Offense Rating: 15.08  #74
Central Michigan's Defense Rating: 20.00  #114
2026 Talent Rating: 464.00  #108
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #104
Central Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Central Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.8  #101
Central Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6  #120
Central Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.7  #65

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61


Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 18.3
Defense: 17.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 21.7

Western Michigan's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Western Michigan 22
Central Michigan 21


Projected Total Points: 43
Central Michigan Scoring
Offense: 22.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.4
Defense: 23.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.2

Central Michigan's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/01Western Michigan24Central Michigan21Western Michigan -6Central Michigan43.5Over
202411/19Central Michigan16Western Michigan14Western Michigan -6Central Michigan56.0Under
202311/07Western Michigan38Central Michigan28Western Michigan -3.5Western Michigan57.5Over
202211/16Central Michigan10Western Michigan12Central Michigan -10Western Michigan49.0Under
202111/03Western Michigan30Central Michigan42Western Michigan -9Central Michigan64.5Over
202011/18Central Michigan44Western Michigan52Western Michigan -1Western Michigan59.5Over
201909/28Western Michigan31Central Michigan15Western Michigan -15Western Michigan62.0Under
201810/20Central Michigan10Western Michigan35Western Michigan -7Western Michigan54.0Under
201711/01Western Michigan28Central Michigan35Western Michigan -3.5Central Michigan48.5Over
201610/01Central Michigan10Western Michigan49Western Michigan -4Western Michigan60.5Under
201510/10Western Michigan41Central Michigan39Western Michigan -5Central Michigan51.5Over
201411/22Central Michigan20Western Michigan32Western Michigan -1Western Michigan0
201311/16Western Michigan22Central Michigan27Central Michigan -2.5Central Michigan0
201211/03Central Michigan31Western Michigan42
201109/17Western Michigan44Central Michigan14
201011/05Central Michigan26Western Michigan22
200910/17Western Michigan23Central Michigan34
200810/18Central Michigan38Western Michigan28
200711/06Western Michigan31Central Michigan34
200611/10Central Michigan31Western Michigan7
200511/12Western Michigan31Central Michigan24
200410/30Central Michigan24Western Michigan21
200311/15Western Michigan44Central Michigan21
200111/17Western Michigan20Central Michigan17
200011/10Central Michigan21Western Michigan17
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Central Michigan1166 Overs
Western Michigan1475 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams14 - 113 - 102 - 51 - 5
Road Teams11 - 1410 - 35 - 15 - 2

(#100) WMU at (#97) CMU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWMUCMU
Game ControlGC #60 #91
Momentum ControlMC #66 #123
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #100 #97
SP+SP+ #81 #101
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #117 #108
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #104
Western Michigan Notes
(3/27) Vibes: 10 wins LY big, Off fine, Def looks rough
(3/27) QB Lowry is back, a mobile threat. Good/Productive
(3/27) RB Buckley (1K LY) back, Green (Ark) fun add?
(3/27) WR meh, nothing here of note, some experience
(3/27) OL has 3 starters back, 1 portal add from Mich
(3/27) DL/LB is light on size & experience. Not a lot here
(3/27) DBs strength of Def by far, good prod/exp
(3/26) Def F7 rebuild, new DC. Expect a drop off
(2/6) Elevated Greer Martini (LB) to DC (O'Leary->NFL)
Western Michigan Injury Report
Central Michigan Notes
(3/4) Vibes: Strong, Off could be really good, Def is ?
(3/4) QB Flores (PT LY) can scoot, but didn't throw much
(3/4) RB good unit, Townsend back, 2 prod portals
(3/4) WRs Lewis & McIntosh decent duo, have depth
(3/4) OL has more prod than 1/2 MAC combined. Wow
(3/4) F7 is ?, DL only 3 with exp, LB only has 2.
(3/4) DB best Def unit by far, CB really good, S has 1
Central Michigan Injury Report
Western Michigan on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffCMU Def
Game ControlGC #66 #53
Momentum ControlMC #110 #113
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #55 #47
ExplosiveExp #136 #55
PPAPPA #103 #36
PowerPwr #82 #114
SP+SP+ #105 #65
Pts POPPO #105 #26
HavocHav #18 #42
Western Michigan Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffCMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #31 #56
Run ExplRExp #97 #38
PPAExp #57 #34
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #25 #55
Stuff RateStuff #30 #28
TackleTak - NR
Western Michigan Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffCMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #116 #43
Pass ExplPExl #120 #63
PPAExp #125 #46
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #61 #62
DB HavocDB #7 #22
Central Michigan on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatCMU OffWMU Def
Game ControlGC #116 #57
Momentum ControlMC #134 #31
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #89 #17
ExplosiveExp #109 #66
PPAPPA #71 #16
PowerPwr #74 #113
SP+SP+ #120 #42
Pts POPPO #80 #13
HavocHav #70 #33
Central Michigan Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
CMU OffWMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #102 #21
Run ExplRExp #84 #98
PPAExp #91 #46
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #103 #48
Stuff RateStuff #80 #96
TackleTak - NR
Central Michigan Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatCMU OffWMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #42 #21
Pass ExplPExl #40 #28
PPAExp #22 #11
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #120 #17
DB HavocDB #15 #67
Program Comparison
CMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

WMU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Western Michigan beat Central Michigan last year (24-21)
Central Michigan beat Western Michigan in 2024 (16-14)
Western Michigan beat Central Michigan in 2023 (38-28)

  
WMU's OC Walt Bell (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Broc Lowry16626263%1803936.9
Ofa Mataele010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jalen Buckley179100395.667
Broc Lowry203963144.737
Ofa Mataele5725234.422
Aveion Chenault335011.725
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nathan Levicki33478614.575
Baylin Brooks27372013.842
Aveion Chenault23277212.045
Jalen Buckley127516.334

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Greer Martini (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jarvarius Sims612104
Micah Davis601023
Joshua Franklin5362110
Joey Pope443112
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DeJuan Echoles276422
Joshua Franklin5362110
Jarvarius Sims612104
Dakari Frazier101100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joshua Franklin5362110
Jarvarius Sims612104
John Peters140004

CMU's OC Jim Chapin (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Angel H Flores192868%195217.0
Jadyn Glasser7978%78008.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jayden Clerveaux (Tr)16176254.767
Angel H Flores10752784.937
Brock Townsend8241845.146
Vaughn Blue (Tr)4723425.022
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Langston Lewis43596313.977
Tommy Mcintosh31422313.647
Jaden Allen (Tr)1918719.831
Brock Townsend13145411.251

View Central Michigan's Full Roster

CMU's DC Sean Cronin (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaion Jackson454227
Korver Demma289451
Xavier White261000
JJ Douglas232221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Korver Demma289451
Jaion Jackson454227
JJ Douglas232221
Landon Swanson61110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaion Jackson454227
Daniel Bennett100012
JJ Douglas232221