TBM Official Game Above Sports Bowl preview.

Friday, December 26 at Ford Field in Detroit, the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl pits the Central Michigan Chippewas against the Northwestern Wildcats in what promises to be an electrifying postseason showdown. Central Michigan enters this matchup riding the momentum of a 7–5 season and a revitalized program under first-year head coach Matt Drinkall. The Chippewas earned their 16th bowl berth by grinding out tough wins, controlling the line of scrimmage, and forcing turnovers all year long — a testament to their physical identity and senior leadership. This marks CMU’s first bowl appearance since 2021 and their first trip back to Detroit in nearly a decade, bringing a chip on their shoulder and a city’s worth of loyal fans ready to swarm Ford Field.

Official TBM Graphic of CMU Stats | Created by Sal Madonna | Team TBM

On the other sideline, the Northwestern Wildcats clawed their way to a 6–6 regular-season finish in the grind of the Big Ten. Known for one of the conference’s staunchest defenses and a veteran core of playmakers earning All-Big Ten honors, Northwestern arrives in Detroit with a mission: extend their impressive bowl winning streak and prove they belong among the nation’s toughest units. It’s a showdown between a disciplined, smash-mouth MAC contender and the strategic, battle-tested Wildcats from a Power Five league.

Official TBM Graphic of Northwestern Stats | Created by Sal Madonna | Team TBM

The GameAbove Sports Bowl will showcase more than just postseason football it will highlight the depth of talent produced across the state of Michigan. Between Northwestern and Central Michigan, 38 high schools statewide will have at least one former student represented on the field at Ford Field. Northwestern’s Michigan connections include players from programs such as West Bloomfield, Dexter, Sault Ste. Marie, Lawton, Dearborn Divine Child, and Plymouth, reinforcing the Wildcats’ Midwest pipeline and physical identity.

Central Michigan’s roster tells an even deeper story. From Belleville to Rockford, DeWitt to Marquette, Royal Oak to Reeths-Puffer, the Chippewas bring together talent from every corner of the state. The extensive list of Michigan-bred contributors underscores CMU’s long-standing commitment to developing in-state athletes and keeping top talent home.

With Detroit as the backdrop, the GameAbove Sports Bowl becomes more than a neutral-site matchup — it’s a statewide reunion, a celebration of Michigan football, and a reminder of the high school programs that continue to shape the college game.

Official TBM Graphic of Northwestern Michiganders | Created by Sal Madonna | Team TBM

Michigan Cats (Northwestern) #8 Dillon Tatum, DB (WB) #36 Ronny Johnson, RB (Dexter) #44 Callen Cambell, DL (Soo) #56 Mason Mayne ,DL (Lawton) #72 Caleb Tiernan, OL (DCD) #77 Irdys Cotton, OL (Plymouth)

Official TBM Graphic of CMU Michiganders | Created by Sal Madonna | Team TBM

CMU Michiganders #2 Elijah Rikards, DB (UDJ) #3 Tyson Davis, WR (Goodrich) #3 Brenden Deasfernandes, DB (Belleville) #8 DC Temple, TE (OLSM) #10 Elijah Gordon, DB (Midland) C #12 Jordan Kwiatkowski, (SH Stevenson) LB #17 Brayden Naves, WR (Davison) #19 Tommy McIntosh, WR (DeWitt) #21 Jamari Allen, DB (DLS) #22 Brock Townsend, RB (Cal) #24 Mekhi Jenkins, RB (Royal Oak) #26 Cairo Rhodes, LB (GRC) #32 Kadenn Rose, RB (MPSH) #33 Victor Earl, LB (Romeo) #34 Mckeegan Ferguson, TE (Montabella) #35 Camden Kruisenga, WR (Rockford) #37 Jeremiah Alston, LB (Red U) #38 Caden VanHuis, PK (HolC) #39 Max Macklem, DB (GB) #42 Landon Swanson, DL (Charlevoix) #43 Bryce Lambeth, DB (South Lyon) #43 Braeden Tillman-Jones, WR (SLE) #47 Cade Graham, PK (Cal) #48 Nathan VanTimmeren, TE (GRCC) #49 Jason Philpot-Dixon, RB (CT) #53 Khari Johnson, LB (SLE) #59 Brady Ploucha, OL (DDC) #66 Matthew Nehf, OL (DeWitt) #68 Alex Toothman, OL (Lakeshore) #69 Jacob Booth, OL (Swartz Creek) #73 Dasan Smith, OL (Marquette) #78 Talon Smith, OL (Marquette) #81 Tayte Vanderleest, WR (Reeths-Puffer) #82 Logan Borodychuk, TE (MP) #83 Travis Ambrose, TE (Reeths-Puffer) #89 Rory Callahan,TE (NB Huron) C #97 Michael Heldman, DL (Romeo) Official TBM Team score predications Sal: 24-21 CMU Chris: 21-17 NORTHWESTERN Reid: 27-20 CMU Nathan: 27-24 NORTHWESTERN Travis: 21-20 NORTHWESTERN Brady: N/A (in attendance to cover for tbm)

kickoff set for 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN The Big Madonski is Sponsored by The Pit Training League.