MAC Football: Can Central Michigan win the West Division in 2023?

Central Michigan is being predicted to win their first four conference games after going 1-3 in non-conference play, can the Chippewas finish off the season on a strong note and win the Mid-American West division?

Last 5 games of this in-conference rivalry: Central Michigan has won three out of the last five games against Northern Illinois.

Current Win Streak: Central Michigan has won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak in this in-conference rivalry.

Last meeting between both schools: The Chippewas defeated the Huskies on the road by a final score of 35-22.

Prediction: Central Michigan 41 NIU 23

Last 15 games of this rivalry: The Broncos have won nine times during the past 15 games these two in-state rivals had played against each other.

Last 10 games of this rivalry: Western Michigan has won seven times during the past 10 games that these two schools have played one another.

Last 5 games of this rivalry: The Broncos have won four out of the last five games against the Chippewas.

Rivalry Trophy: The Victory Cannon trophy

Interesting Fact: Both teams became division one football schools in 1975 and the Victory Cannon trophy wasn’t introduced to this rivalry until 2008.

Current Win Streak: Western Michigan has won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak in this rivalry.

Last meeting between both schools: The Broncos defeated Chippewas on the road by a final score of 12-10.

Prediction: Central Michigan 21 Western Michigan 20

Last 5 games of this rivalry: The Chippewas have won five out of the last five games against the Bobcats.

Current Win Streak: Central Michigan has won the last six games between these two schools, having a six-game winning streak in this in-conference rivalry.

Last meeting between the schools: The Chippewas defeated the Bobcats on the road in 2021 by a final score of 30-27.

Prediction: Ohio 33, Central Michigan 28

Last 5 games of this rivalry: The Rockets have won three out of the last five games against the Chippewas.

Current Win Streak: Toledo has won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak in this in-conference rivalry.

Last meeting between both schools: The Rocket defeated the Chippewas at home by a final score of 38-17.

Prediction: Central Michigan 41 Toledo 38

The final prediction is that Central Michigan finishes the regular season with an overall record of 8-4 and a record of 7-1 in the Mid-American conference to give them the MAC West Division title. The Chippewas if these predictions come true, would play Ohio in the MAC Championship at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, Dec. 2.