Overview
- Kickoffs are set for 1 p.m. ET at Ford Field for Northwestern vs. Central Michigan and 4:30 p.m. ET at Chase Field for Minnesota vs. New Mexico, both on ESPN.
- Betting markets list Northwestern around -10.5 (total ~43.5) and Minnesota -2.5 (total ~43.5) according to BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.
- Broadcast crews: Matt Schumacker, Dustin Fox and Ashley Stroehlein will call Northwestern–CMU; Mike Monaco, Kirk Morrison and Dawn Davenport will work Minnesota–New Mexico.
- Central Michigan expects dual-threat QB Angel Flores back alongside Joey Labas, while Northwestern leans on a top-40 scoring defense after coach David Braun underscored the program’s bowl priority.
- Minnesota enters with an eight-game bowl winning streak under P.J. Fleck, and New Mexico arrives 9–3 in its first bowl since 2016; Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan is highlighted as the top NFL prospect in Detroit.