How to Watch Northwestern vs. Central Michigan: GameAbove Sports Bowl Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – December 26, 2025

The GameAbove Sports Bowl will see Caleb Komolafe and the Northwestern Wildcats heading into a showdown with the Central Michigan Chippewas on Friday, December 26, 2025. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Wildcats' matchup against the Chippewas will be available on ESPN.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports. Learn more about the Northwestern Wildcats and the Central Michigan Chippewas.

How to Watch Northwestern vs. Central Michigan

• When: Friday, December 26, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET
• Location: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Streaming: FOX One + ESPN Bundle

Northwestern's 2025 Schedule

Northwestern 2025 Stats & Insights

• Northwestern is putting up 348.8 yards per game on offense (96th in the FBS), and rank 34th on the other side of the ball, yielding 334.9 yards allowed per game.
• Northwestern is putting up 181.8 passing yards per game offensively this season (111th in the FBS), and is giving up 194.8 passing yards per game (32nd) on defense.
• From an offensive standpoint, the Wildcats rank 104th in the FBS with 22.5 points per game. Meanwhile, they rank 34th in points allowed (334.9 points allowed per contest).
• The Wildcats rank 57th in run offense (167.1 rushing yards per game) and 53rd in run defense (140.1 rushing yards allowed per game) this season.
• Northwestern is putting up a 43.8% third-down percentage on offense, which ranks them 36th in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, the defense ranks 109th, allowing a 43% third-down conversion rate.
• With 16 forced turnovers (60th in the FBS) against 20 turnovers committed (111th in the FBS), the Wildcats' -4 turnover margin ranks 99th in college football.

Northwestern 2025 Key Players

Central Michigan's 2025 Schedule

Central Michigan 2025 Stats & Insights

• Central Michigan ranks 110th with 335.7 total yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 58th with 358.6 total yards surrendered per contest on the defensive side of the ball.
• Central Michigan's passing game has been struggling, ranking 18th-worst in the FBS with 166.2 passing yards per game. It has been better on the defensive side of the ball, giving up 207.2 passing yards per contest (50th-ranked).
• From an offensive standpoint, the Chippewas are compiling 23.8 points per contest (95th-ranked). They rank 50th in the FBS defensively (22.7 points surrendered per game).
• With 169.5 rushing yards per game on offense, the Chippewas rank 55th in the FBS. On defense they rank 73rd, allowing 151.4 rushing yards per game.
• With a 34.6% third-down conversion percentage on offense, Central Michigan ranks 111th in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 93rd, surrendering a 41.3% third-down rate.
• The Chippewas have a top-25 turnover margin this season, ranking 18th-best at +8.

Central Michigan 2025 Key Players

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Northwestern Wildcats

Central Michigan Chippewas

College Football