MACtion. It's a vibe. If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through channels on a random Tuesday night in November and stopped to watch a game played in a half-empty stadium during a snowstorm, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The matchup between Central Michigan football vs Bowling Green Falcons football is the absolute personification of this chaos. It’s not the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. It’s not Alabama-Auburn. But for the people in Mount Pleasant and Bowling Green, this is the real deal. Honestly, the history between these two programs is way more competitive and weird than the national media gives it credit for.
People think Mid-American Conference (MAC) football is just a feeder system for the big guys. They’re wrong. It’s a grinder.
The 2025 Shakedown: Why the Chippewas Finally Broke the Streak
Let's talk about what actually happened recently because, man, it was a statement. On October 18, 2025, Central Michigan went into Doyt Perry Stadium and basically reminded everyone why defense still matters in a high-scoring era. The Chippewas walked away with a 27-6 win. That doesn't sound like a typical MAC score, right? Usually, it's 45-42 with three defensive touchdowns and a blocked punt.
But this game was different.
Central Michigan was coming off a really rough loss to Akron. The vibes were low. Coach Matt Drinkall—who’s been steering the ship—needed a "get right" game. They got it. Angel Flores, the CMU quarterback, played like a man possessed. He didn't throw for 400 yards. He didn't need to. He just ran for three touchdowns.
Defensive Masterclass at the Doyt
The real story was the CMU defense. They held Bowling Green without a single touchdown. That’s the first time they’ve done that to a MAC opponent since way back in 2021. Jordan Kwiatkowski was everywhere. He finished with 14 tackles and a massive interception that flipped the momentum in the second quarter.
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Bowling Green actually outgained CMU in total yardage—310 to 276. You’d think they’d have won. Nope. The Falcons shot themselves in the foot with 125 yards in penalties. You can't win football games when you're moving backward more than you're moving forward. It was a physical, ugly, beautiful mess of a game.
Understanding the Central Michigan football vs Bowling Green Falcons football History
To understand why this game matters, you have to look at the record books. This isn't a lopsided affair. Historically, these two have been neck-and-neck for decades. As of the end of the 2025 season, the all-time series is incredibly tight. Bowling Green leads by a hair, but Central Michigan has been closing the gap.
- The 70s and 80s: This was the era of Central Michigan dominance. They had a six-game win streak from 1976 to 1981. They were the bullies of the MAC.
- The Turn of the Century: Bowling Green took over. From 2002 to 2004, the Falcons were high-flying. They won three straight, including a 23-3 thumping in 2003.
- Modern Parity: Since 2010, the games have been a coin flip. One year CMU wins by 20, the next year Bowling Green takes a nail-biter.
There’s this misconception that Bowling Green is always the underdog. It’s not true. They have a rich history of producing NFL talent and winning conference titles. But Central Michigan has that "Chippewa Tough" mantra that makes them a nightmare to play against late in the season.
The Cultural Divide: Mount Pleasant vs. Bowling Green
If you've never been to these campuses, they feel similar but have totally different energies. Bowling Green is just south of Toledo. It’s flat. The wind at Doyt Perry Stadium is legendary—and not in a good way. It’ll rip a kickoff sideways and turn a 30-yard field goal into a nightmare.
Mount Pleasant is... well, it’s in the middle of Michigan. It’s cold. Kelly/Shorts Stadium is a pit where dreams go to die for visiting teams.
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The fans? They’re passionate. In 2025, over 23,000 people showed up for the game at BGSU. For a mid-season MAC game between two teams hovering around .500, that’s impressive. It shows that despite the transfer portal and the NIL madness changing college football, these regional rivalries still have a heartbeat.
Why the 2024 Game Set the Tone
Before the 2025 blowout, the 2024 meeting was a much closer affair. Bowling Green actually went into Mount Pleasant and won 23-13. That game was the "reverse" of the 2025 outcome. BGSU’s defense was the one doing the suffocating. It’s a perfect example of how these two programs are constantly trading blows. They are mirrors of each other.
What the Stats Actually Tell Us
If you’re a betting person or just a stat nerd, the numbers for Central Michigan football vs Bowling Green Falcons football tell a very specific story.
- Rushing is King: In the last five meetings, the team that wins the rushing battle has won the game 100% of the time.
- The Turnover Margin: This is where Bowling Green struggled in 2025. Giving the ball away twice while forcing zero turnovers is a death sentence in the MAC.
- Third Down Efficiency: Usually, both teams struggle here. In their 2025 matchup, both teams went 5-for-15 on third downs. It’s about who converts the "money" downs in the red zone.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook
What’s next? We’re looking at a 2026 season where both teams are trying to climb back to the top of the conference.
Bowling Green has a brutal non-conference schedule in 2026. They’re traveling to Nebraska and Iowa State. That’s going to battle-test them before they even hit MAC play. If they can survive September without being totally demoralized, they’ll be a problem for Central Michigan.
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Central Michigan is losing some key defensive pieces, including potentially Kwiatkowski if he decides to test the pro waters or the portal. But the system Drinkall has put in place seems to be holding. They play a brand of football that doesn't rely on superstars as much as it relies on discipline.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this rivalry, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Weather: Seriously. A windy day in Bowling Green favors the team with the better interior offensive line. If the passing game is neutralized, CMU usually has the edge.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: The MAC is the "Wild West" for transfers. A backup QB from a Big Ten school can transfer to BGSU and suddenly become the best player in the conference.
- Check the Injury Report on Linebackers: Both teams run schemes that rely heavily on active, "sideline-to-sideline" linebackers. If the starters are out, the middle of the field becomes a highway for the run game.
The rivalry between Central Michigan and Bowling Green isn't going anywhere. It’s a foundational piece of Midwestern football. While the big networks focus on the SEC and the Big Ten, the real drama is often found on a grass field in Ohio or Michigan, where two teams are fighting for pride, a trophy, and a chance to stay relevant in the ever-shifting landscape of college sports.
Keep an eye on the 2026 recruiting classes for both schools. Bowling Green has been aggressive in the Ohio suburbs, while CMU is still locking down the "overlooked" talent in Detroit and Grand Rapids. Those are the kids who will decide the next decade of this series.
Stay tuned for the 2026 schedule release to see where the next chapter of this battle will be written. Whether it’s under the lights at Kelly/Shorts or in the windy plains of the Doyt, it’s going to be a battle.