Central Michigan football news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Central Michigan opens its 2026 home slate against Colgate after a season-opening loss to New Mexico.
The Chippewas are trying to rebound from a 7-6 season.
Background
Central Michigan is coming off a 7-6 season that ended with a lopsided bowl loss to Northwestern, and the team was picked fifth in the preseason Mid-American Conference poll. The Chippewas lost their 2026 season opener at New Mexico on September 5. They now return home for their first game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, hosting Colgate. The program is also working with a deep quarterback room after rotating three signal-callers last season.
How it unfolded
- 2025 seasonCentral Michigan finishes 7-6, losing to Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, and is picked fifth in the preseason MAC poll.
- Sep 5, 2026Central Michigan opens the 2026 season on the road against New Mexico.
- Sep 11, 2026Preview coverage says CMU looks to bounce back against Colgate in its home opener, with the team citing plenty of motivation.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- CBS Sports, reviewing a 2016 CMU-Oklahoma State finish, said the officiating crew misapplied the rule and Central Michigan was given a down and a win it never should have had.
Still unverified
Brock Townsend is expected to emerge as the feature back, per one report; this is not confirmed.