The 2025 Rocket Mortgage MAC Football Championship Game offers a quick rematch with playoff dreams on the line, as the Miami (OH) RedHawks (7-5, 6-2 MAC) face the Western Michigan Broncos (8-4, 7-1 MAC) at Ford Field. This sequel to their October 25 thriller (Miami won 26-17) pits the East Division champs’ stout run defense against the West’s dual-threat QB Broc Lowry, who has powered a late-season surge. Miami, coached by Chuck Martin, enters seeking their first title since 2019 with a balanced attack led by QB Brett Gabbert’s efficiency, while Western Michigan—under Lance Taylor—eyes their first crown since 2014 after clinching the West with a 42-0 rout of Northern Illinois. The winner earns the MAC’s automatic CFP bid and a likely Group of 5 spot; Broncos open as slim favorites in a projected low-scoring grind, where Miami’s front seven could force turnovers.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan (Capacity: 65,000; neutral-site host for MAC championships since 2004, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions).
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: ESPN (with streaming on ESPN App, Fubo, and YouTube TV).
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, or StubHub (starting at $15); parking opens at 8:00 a.m., gates at 9:30 a.m.
Weather Forecast
Ford Field’s domed design eliminates weather variables, with controlled indoor conditions at 68-72°F and 50% humidity—ideal for a pass-friendly affair without wind or precipitation concerns. No external forecasts apply; Martin noted the turf’s familiarity from prior MAC titles could benefit Miami’s ground control.
Injury Report
Both squads are relatively healthy entering Detroit, though Miami’s receiving options are thinned, and Western Michigan misses a key defensive lineman for the season. Updates from team reports (as of Dec. 2) show limited practice for questionable; no star QBs or RBs impacted.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Miami (OH) | C. Hondru | LB | Questionable | Undisclosed; day-to-day after limited snaps vs. Ball State. |
| Miami (OH) | A. Thomas | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed; uncertain for championship, missed recent practice. |
| Western Michigan | J. Schleicher | DL | Out | Knee surgery; sidelined for remainder of 2025 season. |
Miami RB Dom Dzioban and WMU QB Broc Lowry are fully cleared.
Key Player Matchups
Western Michigan’s rushing prowess (189.2 YPG, top-20 nationally) vs. Miami’s elite run D (101.1 YPG allowed in conference) defines this rematch, with Lowry’s dual-threat (1,708 pass/875 rush yards) testing the RedHawks’ 1.2 turnovers forced per game. Combined red-zone efficiency (Miami 88% TD rate) could push totals over if protections hold.
Western Michigan QB Broc Lowry vs. Miami LB Matt Salani: Lowry (1,708 pass yards, 8 TDs; 875 rush yards, 14 TDs) is the MAC’s most dynamic signal-caller, scrambling for 50+ yards in four starts. Salani (team-high 105 tackles) leads Miami’s front seven (No. 15 nationally vs. rush), but Lowry gashed them for 92 yards in October—his 60.4% completion drops under blitz (48%).
Miami QB Brett Gabbert vs. Western Michigan DE Jason Appling: Gabbert (1,451 pass yards, 9 TDs, 58.6% completion) stabilized Miami post-injury, hitting 200+ yards in six of seven starts. Appling (8 sacks) anchors WMU’s pass rush (2.1 sacks/game, 35th nationally), forcing 12% pressure—Gabbert’s quick release (2.4 sec avg.) evaded for 170 yards last matchup.
Western Michigan RB Jalen Buckley vs. Miami DT Nathanial Barnes: Buckley (2,270 rush yards, 37 TDs, 4.3 YPC) leads FBS in rushing scores, powering 112 yards vs. Miami. Barnes (10 TFL) fronts a disruptive D-line (No. 1 MAC in sacks, 2.4/game), but Buckley’s vision exploited gaps (4.9 YPC allowed to lead backs).
Miami WR Reggie Virgil vs. Western Michigan CB Aaron Rolland: Virgil (team-high 650 rec yards, 6 TDs) thrives on deep shots (14.4 YPR). Rolland (4 INTs) keys WMU’s secondary (11 picks), but Virgil’s YAC (6.2 avg.) burned them for 76 yards in October—man coverage tested in low total.
Defenses edge sims (projected 42 points), with Miami’s +0.8 turnover margin tilting late.
Team Records and Season Overview
Western Michigan claimed the West via head-to-head after a 1-3 non-con skid; Miami locked East with resilience (4-2 after early losses). RedHawks rank top-30 in total D (320 YPG allowed); Broncos top-25 in scoring (31.5 PPG).
| Team | Overall Record | MAC Record | National Rank (AP) | Offensive PPG | Defensive PPG Allowed |
| Miami (OH) | 7-5 | 6-2 | Unranked | 28.4 | 22.1 |
| Western Michigan | 8-4 | 7-1 | Unranked | 31.5 | 18.9 |
Miami: Martin’s squad notched non-con W vs. Lindenwood but stumbled vs. Power 4 (0-2).
Western Michigan: Taylor’s group rebounded from Illinois rout with seven straight wins (avg. +18 margin).
Recent Team Forms
Miami enters on a two-game win streak, outscoring foes 51-38 but vulnerable in losses (outgained 400-200 twice). Western Michigan rides four straight, forcing 8 turnovers while holding three shutouts.
Miami (OH) Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov 26 | Ball State | W 28-20 | Gabbert: 220 pass yds, 2 TDs |
| Nov 19 | at Ohio | L 20-24 | Dzioban: 95 rush yds |
| Nov 12 | Toledo | L 3-24 | Defense: 2 INTs, but 312 total yds allowed |
| Nov 5 | at Akron | W 25-14 | Virgil: 76 rec yds |
| Oct 29 | Kent State | W 44-30 | Passing: 159 yds; Brunson: 122 rush |
Western Michigan Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov 26 | at NIU | W 42-0 | Lowry: 241 pass, 108 rush yds |
| Nov 19 | EMU | W 21-3 | Buckley: 100+ rush yds |
| Nov 12 | at Ball State | W 47-14 | Williams: 112 rec yds |
| Nov 5 | Toledo | W 14-13 | Defense: 3 sacks |
| Oct 29 | at Miami (OH) | L 17-26 | Lowry: 201 pass yds |
Series History
Miami holds a commanding 39-24-1 all-time edge, including 23-10-1 at home and a 2-game streak (most recent: 26-17 on Oct. 25). Games average 48 points, with 8 of last 10 decided by 10 or less. Largest Miami win: 55-6 (1952); WMU’s: 41-10 (2014).
| Date | Location | Result (Miami Score – WMU Score) | Notes |
| Oct 25, 2025 | Oxford, OH | W 26-17 | Miami comeback, 2 INTs |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Kalamazoo, MI | W 38-24 | RedHawks control trenches |
| Oct 14, 2023 | Oxford, OH | L 20-41 | WMU routs with 300+ rush |
| Nov 26, 2022 | Kalamazoo, MI | L 10-34 | Broncos’ 8-game streak ends |
| Oct 23, 2021 | Oxford, OH | W 20-17 | Narrow MAC thriller |
Miami’s 33-17-1 conference mark looms, but WMU’s recent road splits (3-2) add hope.
Betting Trends
Miami (OH): 8-3 ATS (72.7%), 5-1 ATS as dogs; 6-5 O/U, overs in 4 of 6 road/neutral. Public 52% on RedHawks +2.5.
Western Michigan: 8-3-1 ATS (72.7%), 4-2 ATS as favorites; 7-5 O/U, overs in 4-1 since Week 9. Public 58% on Broncos ML.
Head-to-Head: Miami 6-4 SU last 10, 5-5 ATS; over 6-4 last 10 (avg. 48 points).
Advanced: WMU +1.1 turnover margin (public on Lowry); models project 44.2 expected points, 54% Broncos cover.
Game Odds
Miami (OH) Redhawks 43.5
Western Michigan Broncos – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
