FBS-CFB Game Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-3) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (2-2)

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Venue, Date & Time

Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Mount Pleasant, MI)

Conditions: Sunny, crisp fall afternoon

Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff

Wind: Light, 5–7 mph

Impact: Ideal football weather, no disruptions expected

Injury Report

Eastern Michigan Eagles

No major new injuries reported; QB Noah Kim and RB Dontae McMillan expected to start

Central Michigan Chippewas

QB Jadyn Glasser – Out (season-ending)

Otherwise, key starters available, including QB Joe Labas and RB Trey Cornist

Key Player Matchups

QB Noah Kim (EMU, 993 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT) vs. LB Jordan Kwiatkowski (CMU, 16 tackles, 1 INT)

Kim is EMU’s offensive leader; Kwiatkowski anchors CMU’s defense.

RB Dontae McMillan (EMU, 345 yds, 1 TD) vs. DL Michael Heldman (CMU, 3 sacks)

McMillan averages 86 yds/game; Heldman is CMU’s top disruptor.

WR Terry Lockett Jr. (EMU, 259 yds, 1 TD) vs. CB Kalen Carroll (CMU, 16 tackles, 3 PBUs)

Lockett is EMU’s deep threat; Carroll has been strong in coverage.

QB Joe Labas (CMU, 422 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT) vs. DB Bryce Llewellyn (EMU, 25 tackles, 1 INT)

Labas is efficient; Llewellyn leads EMU’s secondary.

RB Trey Cornist (CMU, 181 yds, 1 TD) vs. EMU Front Seven

Cornist is CMU’s downhill runner; EMU allows nearly 40 PPG.

Recent Team Forms

Eastern Michigan (1-3)

W 34–31 vs. Louisiana

L 23–48 @ Kentucky

L 23–28 vs. LIU

L 27–52 @ Texas State

Trend: Snapped 8-game losing streak last week; defense still struggling (39.8 PPG allowed).

Central Michigan (2-2)

W 49–10 vs. Wagner

L 3–63 @ Michigan

L 17–45 @ Pitt

W 16–14 @ San Jose State

Trend: Offense inconsistent, but defense forcing turnovers (7 takeaways in 4 games).

Conference Context

Both teams: MAC rivals, opening conference play.

EMU: Looking to build momentum after first win of 2025.

CMU: First-year HC Matt Drinkall seeking to establish “power spread” identity.

Series History

All-time H2H: Central Michigan leads 64–32–6

Last Meeting (2024): EMU 38–34 win in Ypsilanti

Trend: Home team has won 4 straight; last two decided by one score

Betting Trends

Eastern Michigan:

2–2 ATS in 2025

3 of 4 games Over the total

1–2 SU as underdog

Central Michigan:

2–2 ATS in 2025

3 of 4 games Over the total

1–0 SU as favorite

Historical Betting Results (Recent Meetings)

2024: EMU +2.5 covered, upset CMU 38–34 (Over 51.5)

2023: CMU -3 covered, won 26–23 (Under 49.5)

2022: EMU +7 covered, won 38–19 (Over 52.5)

2021: CMU -7 covered, won 31–10 (Under 54.5)

Game Odds

Eastern Michigan Eagles               54.5

Central Michigan Chippewas      – 3

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025