Wildcats and Chippewas Clash in Detroit

The 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl is set to feature an exciting matchup between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Central Michigan Chippewas. This game is scheduled for Friday afternoon, with both teams having wrapped up their regular seasons on November 29. Central Michigan ended their season with a 21-3 loss to Toledo, while Northwestern fell 20-13 to Illinois. Central Michigan, with a record of 7-5, finished fifth in the MAC conference, securing five wins out of eight games. They have shown some resilience, winning two out of their last three games. Northwestern, on the other hand, has a record of 6-6 and tied for 10th place in the Big Ten, with a 4-5 conference record. Interestingly, the Wildcats have a impressive streak of winning their last five bowl games, which is tied for the third-longest active streak in college football. When it comes to betting, Central Michigan has been solid, covering the spread in eight out of their 14 games this season. Northwestern has also performed well, covering the spread in six out of their 12 games, with two pushes. The game is set to kick off at 1 p. m. ET at Ford Field in Detroit. The latest odds have Northwestern as 10. 5-point favorites, and the over/under for total points scored is set at 42. 5, which has decreased by a point from the opening line.Before placing any bets, it's wise to consider predictions from a reliable model. This model simulates every FBS game 10, 000 times and has a strong track record, going 31-19 on its top-rated college football money-line picks since the beginning of the 2024 season. For those looking to bet on this game, the model suggests going Over on the total points scored. The Over has been successful in three of Central Michigan's last five games and four of Northwestern's last five games. The model also projects Central Michigan's running backs, Nahree Biggins, Brock Townsend, and Trey Cornist, to combine for over 150 rushing yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone is expected to throw for more than 225 yards and two touchdowns. The teams are projected to combine for 44 points, making the Over a slight value bet. Additionally, the model indicates that one side of the spread is likely to hit well over 50% of the time.