Central Michigan to play Western Michigan at Ford Field, rest of 2020 schedule announced
The Central Michigan football team enters Kelly/Shorts Stadium before its game against Akron Sept. 14.
A new season, a new controversy involving Central Michigan and Western Michigan's football game.
CMU announced on Wednesday it will play the Broncos at Ford Field on Oct. 17. The game will mark the first time the rivalry has been played outside of Mount Pleasant or Kalamazoo dating back to 1907, the first year the game was played.
The game will cap a week full of CMU-related events.
"Ford Field has been the location of many great experiences for CMU Football, and this is an opportunity to create another iconic experience for our program and our university," CMU Athletic Director Michael Alford said in a press release. "CMU's continued success means out-of-the-box thinking. Bringing this game — and the events surrounding it — to Detroit allows our athletics program to help engage thousands of people who are passionate about CMU."
According to Wednesday's release, CMU student tickets will be available in the fall and limited to one ticket per student. The first 2,000 tickets will be complimentary from the game's support sponsor. After the 2,000 free tickets, students can purchase their tickets for $10.
As for 2020, the Mid-American Conference announced the football schedule on Wednesday.
CMU is set to take on San Jose State (Sept. 5), Bryant (Sept. 26), Miami (Ohio) (Oct. 24), Ohio (Nov. 4) and Ball State (Nov. 18) in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Away from home, the Chippewas are set to face Nebraska (Sept. 12), Northwestern (Sept. 19), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 3), Northern Illinois (Oct. 10), Western Michigan (Oct. 17, Detroit), Toledo (Nov. 11) and Kent State (Nov. 24) on the road this season.
The Chippewas will play in four weekday games in 2020 after 10 games on Saturdays last season.
The MAC championship game is set for Dec. 4 or 5 at Ford Field in Detroit. CMU played in the game last season as the defending MAC West Division champion.
The Oct. 24 game against Miami (Ohio) will be the Chippewas' homecoming game.
Around the MAC
The conference will celebrate its 75th season throughout the 2020-21 school year.
In its press release, the MAC said it will release and updated schedule with game times and television set for the first three games of the season.
After the first three games, times and television will be announced 12 days before kickoff.
Eight teams that finished in the final AP Top 25 poll will take on teams around the conference in 2020: Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame, Iowa, Michigan and Cincinnati.
Big Ten opponents: 10 — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State (2), Penn State
Atlantic Coast Conference opponents: 4 — Boston College, Clemson, Pittsburgh, Syracuse
Southeastern Conference opponents: 3 — Alabama, Kentucky (2), Missouri
Big 12 opponents: 1 — Kansas State
Independent: 5 — Notre Dame, BYU, Liberty, New Mexico State and Massachusetts
American Athletic Conference opponents: 3 — Cincinnati (2), Tulsa
Mountain West Conference opponents: 3 — San Diego State, San Jose State, Wyoming
Conference USA opponent: 1— Marshall
Sun Belt Conference opponents: 2 — Coastal Carolina, Texas State
Here is the entire Chippewa football schedule in 2020:
vs. San Jose State (Saturday, Sept. 5)
at Nebraska (Saturday, Sept. 12)
at Northwestern (Saturday, Sept. 19)
vs. Bryant (Saturday, Sept. 26)
at Eastern Michigan (Saturday, Oct. 3)
at Northern Illinois (Saturday, Oct. 10)
vs. Western Michigan (Saturday, Oct. 17 at Ford Field in Detroit)
vs. Miami (Ohio) (Saturday, Oct. 24)
vs. Ohio (Wednesday, Nov. 4)
at Toledo (Wednesday, Nov. 11)
vs. Ball State (Wednesday, Nov. 18)
at Kent State (Tuesday, Nov. 24)
