Opinion: Predicting the 2026 CMU football season

Week 1 @ New Mexico

Henson: UNM 37, CMU 13

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Similar to last season, Central Michigan Football begins its season out west for a night game against a Mountain West Conference opponent. Second year head coach Jason Eck has New Mexico revitalized after a 9-4 season last year and while I think both programs are in similar spots with promising, young head coaches, the Lobo’s momentum coming into the season as one of the favorites out of its conference should give the squad the confidence to start the season 1-0 over the Chippewas.

Hamilton: UNM 34, CMU 17

CMU once again begins its season on the other side of the country, immediately posing a challenge physically. New Mexico head coach Eck has built a program worthy of contending for the Mountain West Conference title, bringing back 63% of its roster. I would love to see the Chippewas make a statement with the revamped run game right off the bat, but the Lobos’ rushing defense has enough experience to shut them down quickly.

Week 2 vs. Colgate

Henson: CMU 44, Colgate 10

CMU returns to Kelly/Shorts to host Colgate, and while the Raiders consistently exceeded expectations in the 2025 season, playing multiple close games with teams among the best in the Football Championship subdivision, the Chippewas have the size, speed and experience on offense necessary to win this game decisively.

Hamilton: CMU 42, Colgate 13

Kelly/Shorts Stadium opens its gates for the first time in the 2026 season to greet Colgate, an FCS program looking for something to prove with more development and a healthy roster. Quarterback Angel Flores, who was second on the team with 527 rushing yards in his debut year with the Chippewas, has the chance to showcase his control over head coach Matt Drinkall’s offense with a great matchup to set the team’s tempo.

Week 3 vs. Wyoming

Henson: CMU 27, Wyoming 14

The Cowboys enter the season with a lot to prove after a rough ending to 2025 that saw the team rank as one of the worst offenses in college football. However, Central Michigan lost a bulk of its production on defense from last season, which may allow the game to remain close as the new unit continues to learn.

Hamilton: CMU 23, Wyoming 21

Wyoming ranked 131st in the nation in scoring last season, managing an average of just 16 points per game. However, the Cowboys put in the work to resolve their issues, with promise in the run game and consistency on the defensive side of the ball. Central Michigan only brings back 29% of its defensive production, but I believe in coordinator Sean Cronin’s ability to replicate the physicality of last season’s squad. This should be a nice test and an early statement win.

Week 4 @ Miami (FL)

Henson: Miami, 56 CMU 3

It was not long after the National Championship loss that head coach Mario Cristobal started planning for the 2026 season, securing talent to fill the void that the National Football League draft brought. Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah has Miami eyeing trophies this season and I expect the Hurricanes to play championship caliber football no matter the opponent.

Hamilton: Miami (FL) 46, CMU 7

After suffering defeat in the National Championship, Miami-FL lost numerous stars to the National Football League, forcing new faces to step up. CMU makes the long road trip to Florida looking to shock the nation, but this final non-conference matchup could quickly turn sour for the visitors. Mensah will get a chance to control this game’s rhythm, leaving the Chippewas scrambling for answers on both sides of the ball.

Week 5 vs. Akron

Henson: CMU 28, Akron 20

CMU will return to Kelly/Shorts to start conference play and take part in its homecoming game, and with last year's 28-22 defeat to Akron potentially looming in the minds of players from last season's team, Central Michigan will have all the motivation it needs to beat the Zips.

Hamilton: CMU 27, Akron 18

Akron’s star running back Jordan Gant returns to the team after recording 1,032 rushing yards in 2026, yet most of the roster is seeing a changing of the guard with new names across the board. If the defense can contain the Zips’ run game, CMU’s experience on offense can easily take over this game. I expect it to be a strong homecoming showing for the offensive line, giving Flores time to open the downfield attack.

Week 6 @ Ohio

Henson: CMU 20, Ohio 10

The Chippewas travel to Ohio to take on the Bobcats in the first game of a very important three game stretch. Ohio ranked among the top of the conference in both total offense and defense, but with quarterback Parker Navarro’s departure and new head coach John Hauser taking the reins it is not hard to imagine CMU pulling out a victory.

Hamilton: Ohio 24, CMU 20

Ohio must rebuild quickly to remain one of the more consistent programs in the Mid-American Conference, seeing its third head coach in two years. However, the Bobcats were 7-0 when allowing fewer than 140 rushing yards in 2025, which could be disruptive for Central Michigan’s offensive identity. This one will be close, but I think Ohio and its new-look offense will pull away late.

Week 7 vs. Western Michigan

Henson: CMU 31, WMU 27

After Western Michigan’s conference championship last season, it is easy to forget that CMU was so close to securing the Victory Cannon Trophy in 2025. With a bulk of Western Michigan’s production returning, coach Drinkall and his squad will have another chance to claim what seemingly just slipped through their fingers last season. With a more dynamic offense this season, I expect the squad from Mount Pleasant to secure the Victory Cannon.

Hamilton: CMU 26, WMU 24

Central Michigan was two minutes and a pair of crucial plays away from conquering its rival in their own stadium, and the sting of defeat is certain to be fresh in their minds. WMU was dominant in 2025 and brings back much of its championship-winning roster, posing a challenge for this year’s Victory Cannon faceoff. If the Chippewas are able to contain the Broncos' stars on offense such as Broc Lowry and Jalen Buckley, I like their chances to avoid a heartbreaker at home.

Week 8 vs. Miami (OH)

Henson: Miami (OH), CMU 19

Following its rivalry game, CMU will host conference championship runner up Miami (Ohio) who I expect to once again be one of the top contenders in the MAC this season. The Redhawks enter the season with a QB battle as the focal point of the offseason, but regardless of who takes the field as the starting quarterback for Miami (Ohio), the offense will have ample time to mesh before its meeting with Central Michigan, and I think it will lead to the Redhawks securing the defense.

Hamilton: Miami (Ohio) 30, CMU 23

Another MAC title contender rolls into Mount Pleasant, with the RedHawks spending $8-10 million in NIL money to piece this year’s roster together. There are questions at quarterback for Miami, and Central Michigan’s defense can look to take advantage of inexperience. Flores and the CMU offense must be able to consistently score points against a defense that’s loaded with playmakers, but overall I don’t like this matchup for the Chippewas’ scheme.

Week 9 @ Eastern Michigan (Ford Field)

Henson: CMU 31, EMU 20

Central Michigan will meet Eastern Michigan at Ford Field in Detroit. EMU returns a majority of its production, notably quarterback Noah Kim. While the continuity will be a big difference maker for Eastern Michigan, it is that lack of change on defense that I think will end up contributing to Central Michigan’s victory as the Chippewas will look to expose the Eagles lack of run defense, which finished bottom of the country last season.

Hamilton: CMU 23, EMU 20

The Chippewas are back at Ford Field in Detroit, with the venue serving as a neutral site against their in-state rival. EMU ranks 24th in the nation for returning production, most notably including Kim in his seventh college season. Roster continuity should allow the Eagles to drastically improve offensively in 2026, but after fielding the worst run defense in the country last year, the CMU run game should have the edge. 

Week 10 vs. Sacramento State

Henson: CMU 38, Sac State 7

Sacramento State enters the MAC for its first season at the FBS level, and while the team’s story is intriguing, I expect growing pains as the program enters a higher level of football. I see the Chippewas leaving no doubts in this game whatsoever. 

Hamilton: CMU 31, Sac State 16

Wednesday night MACtion returns for Central Michigan against the latest addition to the conference. Sacramento State’s debut season at the FBS level is sure to have some bumps in the road, and the bulk of the roster will have to adjust quickly to the higher level of physicality. That tough mentality is the soul of this Chippewas team, who overpower the Hornets early and refuse to back down in their home finale.

Week 11 @ Buffalo

Henson: CMU 23, BUFF 20

Coming off of what I expect to be a win the week before, I could see the Chippewas struggling in what may be a trap game on the road at Buffalo. However, the Bulls will be without Victor Snow who has transferred to North Carolina State and Red Murdock who was selected with the final pick in the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. With so many key contributors out of the way for Buffalo, I think CMU has everything it needs to get through this game with a win.

Hamilton: CMU 26, Buffalo 19

A difficult slate of opponents will make it difficult for the Bulls to contend for the conference, but they will have answered questions about their quarterback and linebacker rooms. CMU learned firsthand last year that Buffalo had a turnover issue (with five takeaways by the Chippewas' defense), so creating more in this year’s matchup will be the key. Cornerback Jaion Jackson and the Central Michigan secondary have a chance to step up in another key game for the MAC standings.

Week 12 @ Ball State

Henson: CMU 31, Ball 10

Central Michigan ends the regular season with Ball State, and while the CMU defense remains largely unknown with so much of its production leaving, Ball State struggled greatly on offense last season no matter the opponent. All eyes should be on the Chippewa defensive line who should have a great advantage against a below average Ball State offensive line.

Hamilton: CMU 30, Ball 20

Central Michigan closes out its regular season against a Ball State team which once again will struggle to scrape a convincing resume together. The pass rush for CMU can turn up the pressure against a leaky Cardinals offensive line, while the Chippewas continue to embrace their rushing rotation. I believe this will end up being an exciting conclusion to the year and an overall polished performance.

At the end of the season, Henson has predicted that the Chippewas will head into December with a 9-3 record with Hamilton predicting 8-4.