Give a sport a Sunday selection process and there’s sure to be controversy. Leave all the arguments and chaos makers in their national pulpits with their Miami and Notre Dame commentaries and hot takes, because we have post season MACtion to discuss. And where there’s a game, there’s a line. And where there’s a line, there’s an opportunity. But first, let’s take a look at the game behind the line.
The GameAbove Sports Bowl will match the Northwestern Wildcats (Big Ten) against the Central Michigan
Chippewas (Mid-American Conference). CMU earned its spot with a 7–5 record on the season. Meanwhile, Northwestern enters bowl season at 6–6. For the Wildcats, the bowl offers a chance to extend an already solid postseason résumé. Under head coach David Braun, Northwestern is returning to a bowl after a period of rebuilding — and fans will be watching to see if they can snap back into form with a bowl win.
The Chippewas, led by head coach Matt Drinkall, get a big opportunity. It’s their 16th bowl appearance and first time back to this Detroit-area de facto home game bowl since the early 2010s. Their season hasn’t been without rough patches — including tough losses against power-conference opponents — but this matchup gives them a platform to end the season on a high note. Of note, the bowl itself carries tradition: now in its 11th year (and second under the “GameAbove Sports” name), GameAbove remains a “Big Ten vs. MAC” staple — a mid-major vs. power-conference clash held in Detroit that always has and always will hold a special place in the heart of a MAC fan.
You can find opening odds and current lines for the GameAbove Sports Bowl here. At publication, Central Michigan finds themselves a 13.5-point underdog with total line of 43.5. In general, betting on home dogs is a successful strategy. And while this game might not be in Mt. Pleasant, it’s close enough in Detroit Rock City for it to count. I don’t love it at 13.5, and will probably edit the line to cover 14.5, but for now, give me the Chips and let’s ride.
Fearless Leader Rapid Reaction Pick: Central Michigan +13.5, over 43.5.
Per usual with Fearless Leader picks, don’t wager what you can’t afford to lose and stay within your means and limits. It’s meant to be fun not make you homeless. Having said that, let’s get rich kids.
