Big Ten and MAC programs clash Friday as bowl season continues in Detroit.
Northwestern (6-6) faces Central Michigan (7-5) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Both schools return to postseason play after extended absences.
The Wildcats struggled down the stretch, losing four of their final five games. They secured bowl eligibility after missing out last season.
Northwestern brings an impressive bowl streak into Friday’s matchup. The Wildcats have won five consecutive bowl games dating back to the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl.
Central Michigan returns to bowl play for the first time since 2021. First-year coach Matt Drinkall has turned the program around quickly.
The Chippewas will make the short trip to Detroit for their sixth bowl appearance in the city. Their last Detroit bowl game came in 2015.
This marks just the second meeting between these programs. Northwestern defeated Central Michigan 30-25 in September 2010.
What channel is Northwestern vs. Central Michigan on?
Northwestern vs. Central Michigan will air on ESPN, with Matt Schumacker, Dustin Fox and Ashley Stroehlein on the call. College football fans can stream the game on the ESPN app and Fubo, the latter offering a free trial.
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Northwestern vs. Central Michigan start time
- Date: Friday, Dec. 26
- Time: 1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CT
The GameAbove Sports Bowl kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 26.
Northwestern vs. Central Michigan radio station
- Radio station: SiriusXM channels 372 (Northwestern broadcast), 84 (Central Michigan broadcast)
You can listen to the GameAbove Sports Bowl live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 372 for the Northwestern call and 84 for Central Michigan.
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GameAbove Sports Bowl location, stadium
- City: Detroit
- Stadium: Ford Field
The GameAbove Sports Bowl will be played at Ford Field in Detroit. The home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions has a capacity of about 65,000.
College football bowl schedule 2025-26
Friday, Dec. 26
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| GameAbove Sports Bowl | Northwestern vs. Central Michigan | 1 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Rate Bowl | Minnesota vs. New Mexico | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| First Responder Bowl | UTSA vs. Florida International | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Saturday, Dec. 27
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Bowl | East Carolina vs. Pitt | 11 a.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Pinstripe Bowl | Clemson vs. Penn State | Noon | ABC, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Fenway Bowl | Army vs. UConn | 2:15 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Pop-Tarts Bowl | BYU vs. Georgia Tech | 3:30 p.m. | ABC, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Arizona Bowl | Fresno State vs. Miami (Ohio) | 4:30 p.m. | The CW Network, Fubo |
| New Mexico Bowl | San Diego State vs. North Texas | 5:45 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Gator Bowl | Missouri vs. Virginia | 7:30 p.m. | ABC, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Texas Bowl | Houston vs. LSU | 9:15 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, Dec. 29
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Bowl | Georgia Southern vs. App State | 2 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Tuesday, Dec. 30
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Bowl | Louisiana Tech vs. Coastal Carolina | 2 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Music City Bowl | Illinois vs. Tennessee | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Alamo Bowl | TCU vs. USC | 9 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Wednesday, Dec. 31
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReliaQuest Bowl | Vanderbilt vs. Iowa | Noon | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Sun Bowl | Duke vs. Arizona State | 2 p.m. | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Citrus Bowl | Texas vs. Michigan | 3 p.m. | ABC, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Las Vegas Bowl | Utah vs. Nebraska | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| CFP Quarterfinal (Cotton Bowl) | Ohio State vs. Miami (Fla.) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Thursday, Jan. 1
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP Quarterfinal (Orange Bowl) | Texas Tech vs. Oregon | Noon | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| CFP Quarterfinal (Rose Bowl) | Indiana vs. Alabama | 4 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| CFP Quarterfinal (Sugar Bowl) | Georgia vs. Ole Miss | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Friday, Jan. 2
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Forces Bowl | Texas State vs. Rice | 1 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Liberty Bowl | Cincinnati vs. Navy | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Duke’s Mayo Bowl | Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Holiday Bowl | SMU vs. Arizona | 8 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
Thursday, Jan. 8
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl) | Cotton winner vs. Sugar winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Friday, Jan. 9
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl) | Rose winner vs. Orange winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, Jan. 19
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP National Championship | TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
