Preview: CMU football 'mirror image' with next foe Bowling Green
Central Michigan University junior tight end Decorion Temple walks off the field at half time with the team at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Temple competed in both football and basketball for the 2024-25 athletic season. (CM Life | Jasmine Brookins)
After the past week's bye to help wash away the sour memory of a loss to Akron, Central Michigan football once again hits the road to take on Bowling Green.
"We are, I am saying this in the most complimentary way possible, mirror images of each other in a way," head coach Matt Drinkall said.
Both squads come into this week with 3-3 records overall, with a 1-1 record in Mid-American Conference play.
However, the two squads have gotten very different results in their last matchups, as CMU struggled early in a 28-22 loss to Akron before its bye week as Bowling Green was able to dig itself out of a 21 point deficit in the second half of its game to knock off heated rival Toledo 28-23, giving the Falcons momentum going into this weeks contest.
Meet the opponent
BGSU is coached by first-year head coach and former Ohio State Heisman-winning running back Eddie George.
"[George] does such a great job, and you can tell when he talks, those kids listen and they go a million miles an hour," Drinkall said.
The Falcons were expected to be led by transfer quarterback Drew Pyne, but due to injuries he faced against Ohio a week prior, sophomore Lucian Anderson III got the nod to start against Toledo.
Anderson did not throw the ball much in his last contest, only attempting 16 passes and completing nine. He finished with 92 yards in the air, two passing touchdowns and an interception.
By far the biggest tool in the Falcons offense is the run game as the squad has established a three-headed backfield with Chris McMillian, Kaderris Roberts and Cameron Pettaway all rushing for 200 yards or more so far this season.
"It is one of those games where you know it is going to be and old-school midwest, rust belt football game in October," Drinkall said. "This is awesome."
BGSU's defense has struggled as it enters MAC play, allowing 378.2 yards of total offense per game. However, the squad sits at the top of the conference in turnover margin, recovering one fumble per game on average.
Keys to victory
Bowling Green returns this week red hot after a come-from-behind win against its rivals, which CMU will have to work to counteract early in the game before the combination of momentum and home-field advantage gets out of control.
"We have to do the exact same as them, our key is going to be start fast and match their intensity," Drinkall said. "Their environment has been awesome this whole year, so we are going into a rowdy environment with a ton of fan support... so we should not need any extra help getting ready for this one."
The Chippewas' biggest advantage comes on defense as its unit has been incredible at causing disruptions and forcing turnovers, as CMU sits atop the MAC in turnover margin.
Another key to victory for the team in maroon and gold is forgetting about last game's struggle, building off of it, and moving forward.
"When we came back to practice on Wednesday or Thursday, it was not as much about Bowling Green as it was self-reflection and things that we need to address, regardless of the opponent," Drinkall said.
If Central Michigan wants to take this game against Bowling Green, there needs to be an emphasis on ball security. Without turnovers, the Bowling Green defense ranks among the worst in the conference, giving CMU, which usually excels with ball security, a chance to dominate if it plays mistake-free offense.
However, the biggest key may just be superstition. The last six contests between these two teams have been won by the away team, giving the squad from Mount Pleasant a favorable nod.
Central Michigan (3-3) vs. Bowling Green (3-3)
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
Stadium: Doyt L. Perry Stadium
Location: Bowling Green, Ohio
TV: CBS Sports Network
