Preview: CMU looks to shake off rivalry loss against Buffalo
Central Michigan redshirt senior quarterback Joe Labas gives signals to his teammates during the Central Michigan versus Western Michigan football game at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI, on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Labas threw for 152 yards, one touchdown and one interception. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to rival Western Michigan, CMU football is back in Mount Pleasant, hungry to keep the dreams of a Mid-American Championship appearance alive as the team prepares to take on Buffalo.
With a conference title and a bowl game in jeopardy, only three games remain. All eyes will be on how the Chippewas recover against a team tied for first in the MAC.
Meet The Opponent
Buffalo enters Mount Pleasant with hopes of keeping its first-place record intact as the squad hunts for its first MAC championship appearance since 2020.
The Bulls match CMU’s season record of 5-4, but the squad from New York sits at 4-1 in conference play, taking its only loss in an eight-point loss to Akron.
Buffalo’s season has been defined by whether the team can close out close games down the stretch, as six of the squad's last seven games have been decided by one possession or less. The Bulls are 3-3 in that stretch.
However, UB has proven to be a well-rounded squad on both sides of the ball as the team sits fourth in the MAC in both total offense and defense.
The heart of the Buffalo offense is senior quarterback Ta’quan Roberson, a transfer from Kansas State who has made an immediate impact for the Bulls as he sits among the top of the MAC in passing efficiency.
On defense, the Bulls have been wreaking havoc on offensive lines with the game-breaking tandem of senior linebacker Red Murdock and breakout sophomore defensive lineman Junior Poyser. Murdock has shone as a leader for this defensive unit, where he recently broke the all-time record for forced fumbles in a career at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
The proven talent on both sides of the ball continues to make splashes in MAC play on an individual level, but the squad has notably struggled against in-conference opponents, even despite the 4-1 record.
Buffalo was forced to make last-minute comebacks against Kent State and the currently winless UMASS in games where the Bulls’ defense struggled to keep the offenses on the field as the games wound down. Blessing the clock has proven to be a facet of the game that Central Michigan has dominated in conference play.
Keys to Victory
The Chippewa’s big advantage is in the style of play. CMU is among the top of the MAC in time of possession, so it should be able to handle Buffalo’s inconsistency down the stretch.
Getting ahead of UB’s defense will be a task of its own, with all of the defensive talent as Buffalo sits third in the MAC in total yards allowed in both the passing and rushing categories, making it imperative that CMU stays multidimensional on offense.
The maroon and gold have a significant advantage in the turnover game, as the squad from New York does have the tendency to give the ball up multiple times per game, as the Bulls rank low in the NCAA in turnover margin compared to the Chippewas, who rank among the top of the FBS.
The final advantage for the Chippewas comes from the run game, or for Buffalo, the lack thereof. Buffalo has consistently struggled to get the run game going in conference play, which has forced Roberson to throw upwards of thirty times all but once in conference.
While Roberson overall has looked poised as a passer, in games where he is forced to throw more than thirty times, he has struggled with accuracy and turning the ball over, which will not work against a Chippewas passing defense that has made quarterbacks pay all season.
However, the biggest factor that will decide this game might end up being whether or not the Chippewas have emotionally recovered from a heart-wrenching come-from-behind loss to Western Michigan. If CMU allows that game's memory to linger, Buffalo could have a big mental advantage coming into the game, which would be difficult for the home team to overcome.
Central Michigan (5-4) vs. Buffalo (5-4)
Time: 7:00 ET
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 12
Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI
TV: CBS Sports Network
