Central Michigan played in four-straight bowl games between 2014 and 2017, but the Chippewas have posted three consecutive losing seasons and haven’t been to a bowl game since 2021.
They went 4-8 and 2-6 in the MAC last fall in former head coach Jim McElwain’s final season. Central Michigan has won five or less games in each of the past three seasons.
In comes former Army assistant Matt Drinkall to right the ship. He spent the past six seasons at West Point, coaching offensive line and tight ends. He was also co-offensive coordinator in 2023. He was the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan from 2014 to 2018, which is when he led the program to the NAIA semifinals.
Don’t expect Drinkall to bring the option offense with him, but he should be able to get the most out of the Chippewas’ offensive line and the running game. He has some pieces to work with on a defense that gave up 29.7 points a game last fall, but he has to name a starting quarterback and pick a starting running back from a very inexperienced group.
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Central Michigan’s MAC Title Betting Odds
Central Michigan’s odds to win the MAC are +2000, via BetMGM.
Central Michigan Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- Central Michigan’s win total Over/Under is 5.5 games.
- Under 5.5 is at -145.
- Over 5.5 is at +120.
Central Michigan Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 29 @ San Jose State
Sept. 6 @ Pitt
Sept. 13 @ Michigan
Sept. 20 vs. Wagner
Sept. 27 vs. Eastern Michigan
Oct. 4 @ Akron
Oct. 18 @ Bowling Green
Oct. 25 vs. UMass
Nov. 1 @ Western Michigan
Nov. 12 vs. Buffalo
Nov. 19 at Kent State
Nov. 29 vs. Toledo
Bold indicates MAC games
Key Central Michigan Football Returners
2024 All-MAC 2nd Team
LB Jordan Kwiatkowski
Central Michigan Football Season Preview
Central Michigan is left with more questions than answers heading into the season. Who will start at quarterback? Who will carry the load in the backfield? And can a group of inexperienced receivers step up and make an impact? The defense has the experience and talent to be better. It has to be after forcing just five turnovers last season.
Who Will Start At QB?
The Chippewas’ quarterback race is coming down to three players. Redshirt senior Joe Labas is back after he started the first six games last fall before suffering a season-ending injury. The strong-armed veteran posted 1,114 passing yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Redshirt freshman Jadyn Glasser is also back after starting last season’s final three games. He completed 16 of 27 passes for 150 yards against Toledo and threw two touchdown passes in the season finale against Northern Illinois.
New offensive coordinator Jim Chapin also brought in Northern Arizona transfer Angel Flores. He played in 12 games the past three seasons, throwing for 838 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 363 yards and eight more scores.
Whoever wins the job will be throwing to a group of receivers that lost last year’s leader, Chris Parker, to the transfer portal. Returning receivers Tyson Davis, Langston Lewis, and Tommy McIntosh will have to make major strides.
Who Will Emerge In The Backfield?
The Chippewas’ top four rushers from last season are gone, including leading rusher Marion Lukes, who finished with 788 yards and five touchdowns last season. And there isn’t much in the way of experience left in the running back room.
Central Michigan added Tulane transfer Trey Cornist, who played in six games and rushed for 149 yards in two seasons with the Green Wave. He’s joined by a host of role players, including Nahree Biggins, Mekhi Jenkins, Brock Townsend, and Jakivion Calip.
CMU’s running backs will have to play with an offensive line that is a work in progress. Columbia transfer John Iannuzzi will be a factor at guard.
Linebacker Should Be A Strength
One of the few bright spots for the Chippewas last season was the play of linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski. He earned second-team All-MAC honors after leading the team in tackles (96) and tackles for loss (14) and added one interception.
He’s joined once again by 240-pound redshirt senior Dakota Cochran, who posted 54 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks last fall.
The defensive line should get a boost from transfers Joey VanWetzinga (Iowa) and Dylan Fisher (Ohio Dominican). Fisher played in 26 games in three seasons at Ohio Dominican.
The Safeties Could Be Special
The Chippewas have what may be one of the better safety combos in the MAC this season. Caleb Spann is a big hitter who led the team last season with six pass breakups. He was also No. 2 in tackles (61) while adding four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Elijah Rikard was No. 4 on the team last fall with 56 tackles and added a sack.
The cornerbacks will be new. Cincinnati transfer Kalen Carroll should lock down one spot. The other spot will come down to a slew of veterans: Marcus Badgett, Brenden Deasfernandes, Jaion Jackson, and Aakeem Snell.
Central Michigan Football Season Prediction
I predict Central Michigan will not win the MAC Championship this season but will win more than 5.5 games.
The Chippewas open the season in brutal fashion, playing three straight road games at San Jose State, Pitt, and Michigan. Their conference schedule is more manageable because they avoid MAC contenders Ohio and Miami (Ohio). They play Buffalo and Toledo in two of their last three games, but they get both at home. New faces on offense are going to have to coalesce quickly, but the defense should be much improved.
