The final week of the MAC regular season features a pivotal clash between the Toledo Rockets (7-4, 5-2 MAC) and Central Michigan Chippewas (7-4, 5-2 MAC) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, with both squads vying for positioning in the conference championship race. Under Jason Candle, Toledo enters on a hot streak, aiming to secure a top-two seed and a shot at Ford Field glory. The Chippewas, led by first-year coach Matt Drinkall, have clawed back from an early stumble to match Toledo’s mark, but home-field desperation could fuel an upset in this heated Central Division tilt. Expect a gritty, ground-heavy battle—Toledo’s efficiency versus CMU’s opportunistic D—in a rivalry that often defies the stats.
Venue Location
The game unfolds at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. This 30,255-seat on-campus staple, opened in 1973 and renovated in 2011, is CMU’s fortress (4-2 home in 2025) known for its raucous “Fire Up Chips!” chants and senior day sendoff. It’s a 150-mile drive from Toledo, packing the house with maroon-and-gold fervor for this intraconference grudge match.
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ (streaming), with radio on Toledo’s 1370 AM (Rocket Radio Network) and CMU’s 1440 AM (Chippewa Sports Network).
Weather Updates
Mount Pleasant in late November brings typical Midwest chill, favoring run games and defenses. Forecast for game day: Partly cloudy with a high of 42°F (6°C) and a low around 28°F (-2°C). Winds: 8-12 mph from the northwest, with a 25% chance of light snow flurries in the afternoon. No major accumulation expected, but dropping temps and potential slick turf could slow passing attacks—CMU’s ground control (top-40 rush offense) gets a boost, while Toledo’s deep shots face resistance.
Injury Report
Both teams carry moderate bumps into rivalry week, with Toledo’s secondary and CMU’s backfield hit hardest. Updates as of November 27.
Toledo Rockets:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| G. Zimmerly | OG | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. WSU) | Key interior lineman; if out, shuffles O-line (allowed 22 sacks, 85th nationally)—Toledo’s run game (top-30, 180 YPG) at risk. |
| Thomas Zsiros | WR | Out | Lower body (midseason) | Depth receiver (20 rec, 250 yds); boosts targets for primary WRs amid 45th-ranked passing attack. |
| John Alan Richter | QB | Probable | Shoulder (rotated last two) | Backup to Gleason; full practice—depth intact. |
| Jediyah Willoughby | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed | Slot speed (15 rec); forces more underneath routes if sidelined. |
| CC Ezirim | TE | Out | Knee (season-ending) | Blocking TE; O-line tweaks needed for protection. |
Overall: Five players limited/out per MAC reports; defense resilient (top-25 scoring D at 18.2 PPG allowed).
Central Michigan Chippewas:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Jason Philpot-Dixon | RB | Out | Undisclosed (since Oct. 4) | Rotational back (300 yds); thins committee behind lead rusher—CMU’s ground game ranks 65th (155 YPG). |
| Nahree Biggins | RB | Out for season | Undisclosed (Nov. 5) | Speed back (450 yds, 5 TDs); exposes depth in 3.8 YPC attack. |
| Evan Boyd | WR | Out | Lower body (Oct. 31) | Slot receiver (25 rec, 350 yds); shifts to bigger targets, hurting YAC (team 98th in receiving). |
| Rory Callahan | TE | Questionable | Undisclosed | Blocking specialist; probable but monitored—O-line allowed 28 sacks (110th). |
| Jadyn Glasser | QB | Probable | Ankle (limited vs. MASS) | Backup to Labas; full reps—stability key for dual-threat scheme. |
Overall: Seven players out/limited; secondary intact but run D vulnerable (bottom-50, 160 yds allowed/game).
Player Matchups
With both offenses leaning on the run (combined 340 rush YPG), these battles could dictate tempo. Toledo’s balance (top-25 SP+ offense) edges CMU’s grit.
Toledo QB Tucker Gleason vs. CMU Secondary: Gleason (198/303, ~2,200 yds, 21 TDs) excels in rhythm, hitting 65% completions. Chippewas’ DBs rank 75th in pass efficiency but force TOs (12 INTs). Edge: Gleason—Toledo 5-1 when he tops 200 yds; CMU allows 240 pass yds/game.
CMU QB? (M. Labas or A. Flores) vs. Toledo Pass Rush: Labas (recent: 148 yds vs. MASS) or dual-threat Flores (519 rush yds, 8 TDs) faces Toledo’s front (top-25 havoc, 30 sacks). Edge: Toledo—Rockets 6-0 holding QBs under 180 yds.
Toledo RB (lead: M. Floyd?) vs. CMU Front Seven: Toledo’s committee (180 YPG) tests CMU’s LBs (bottom-50 rush D). Edge: Toledo—Chips 2-4 when allowing 150+ rush yds.
CMU RB Marion Lukes vs. Toledo LB Core: Lukes (est. 900 yds, 10 TDs) powers short gains. Toledo’s tacklers (top-25 scoring D) stuff runs (2.9 YPC allowed). Edge: Toledo—Rockets win time of possession in 4/5 road games.
Toledo: Exceeded 7.5 win total; non-con losses but MAC surge (SOS 60th).
CMU: Rebound from 3-3 start; wins over BGSU, UMass highlight growth.
Recent Team Forms
Toledo Rockets: Candle’s squad surged post-bye, edging Kent 45-10 (Oct. 18) before a 28-7 road L at WSU (Oct. 25), then rebounding with two gritty wins (incl. vs. NIU). Offense balanced (31.8 PPG, top MAC), D elite (No. 1 MAC in yds allowed). Morale: Title hunt—7-2 SU in MAC play.
Central Michigan Chippewas: Drinkall’s Chips steadied with a 38-13 rout of UMass (Oct. 25) and another W, but earlier OT L at BGSU (27-6 W? Wait, W). QB Labas/Flores duo sparks (25 total TDs), but turnovers linger (14 given). Morale: Home finale fire—5-1 SU when rushing 150+ yds.
Series History
Dating to 1973, this MAC staple sees Toledo dominating lately. All-time: Toledo leads 30-18-3 (18-6-2 home for Toledo, but CMU 12-12-1 at Kelly/Shorts). Toledo holds after three straight wins (W3 streak). Recent avg.: 35-24 Toledo. Iconic: Toledo’s 10-game streak (1995-2004).
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | Toledo | 35-24 | Road thriller |
| 2023 | Toledo | 28-10 | Defensive shutout |
| 2022 | Toledo | 17-14 | OT nailbiter |
| 2021 | CMU | 30-27 | Upset in Mt. Pleasant |
| 2020 | Toledo | 38-21 | COVID-era blowout |
Betting Trends
Toledo: 7-4 ATS (63.6%); 4-2 ATS as 10+ road favorites. 4-7 O/U; overs in 4/6 road. 6-1 SU as fave (85.7%). Vs. MAC: 5-2 SU/ATS.
Central Michigan: 6-5 ATS (54.5%); 3-2 ATS as 10+ home dogs. 7-4 O/U; overs in 5/7 home. 4-3 SU as underdog (57.1%). Rivalry: 1-4 SU last 5, but 3-2 ATS.
Series Trends: Favorite covers 7/10; overs 6/10 (avg. 48 pts). Road dogs 4-3 ATS; Toledo 4-1 SU last 5 tilts. Advanced: FPI gives Toledo 75% win prob. Toledo top-25 MAC SP+; CMU 50th.
Game Odds
Toledo Rockets – 10.5
Central Michigan Chippewas 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
