Midweek MACtion heats up in Mt. Pleasant as Buffalo travels to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to take on Central Michigan in a matchup packed with postseason stakes and conference tension. The Bulls, sitting at 5-4 overall and 4-1 in MAC play, are riding high after a dominant 28-3 win over Bowling Green, powered by Al-Jay Henderson’s 119-yard rushing performance.
Central Michigan, also 5-4 but 3-2 in the conference, looks to rebound from a tough rivalry loss at Western Michigan and secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2021. The Chippewas have been nearly untouchable at home this season, boasting a perfect 3-0 record and four straight wins in Mt. Pleasant.
But Buffalo enters chasing history, aiming to finish undefeated on the road in MAC play for the first time in program history. With both teams hungry to climb the standings, this first-ever weeknight showdown between the Bulls and the Chippewas promises to deliver peak November chaos.
Buffalo vs. Central Michigan Details
- Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 39 degrees
- How to watch: CBSSN
Buffalo vs. Central Michigan Head-to-Head Record
Central Michigan holds an 8-4 advantage in the all-time series against Buffalo, a matchup that began in 1999. The Chippewas have been tough to beat at home, posting a 3-1 record against the Bulls in Mount Pleasant, including a 31-27 victory in their last meeting there.
However, Buffalo claimed the most recent matchup, cruising to a 37-13 win at UB Stadium in 2023, and will look to build on that momentum as the rivalry resumes under the midweek lights.
Buffalo vs. Central Michigan Grades
Below are the PFSN team and positional grades for the highest-ranked players set to be featured in Buffalo vs. Central Michigan.
- Buffalo (64.9, D)
- Central Michigan (74.9, C)
- Buffalo (78.1, C+)
- Central Michigan (72.5, C-)
- Buffalo (68.4, D+)
- Central Michigan (58.7, F)
- Ta’Quan Roberson (73.8, C)
- Joe Labas(78.2, C+)
- Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo (69.1, D+)
- Nahree Biggins, Central Michigan (66.5, D)
PFSN College WRi
- Victor Snow, Buffalo (74.6, C)
- Langston Lewis, Central Michigan (N/A)
PFSN College TEi
- Evan King, Buffalo (71.2, C-)
- DeCorion Temple, Central Michigan (72.3, C-)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Kobe Stewart, Buffalo (74.2, C)
- Michael Heldman, Central Michigan (81.0, B-)
PFSN College DTi
- Devin Morgan, Buffalo (71.3, C-)
- Jonathan Decker, Central Michigan (71.1, C-)
PFSN College LBi
- Red Murdock, Buffalo (70.3, C-)
- Jordan Kwiatkowski, Central Michigan (70.7, C-)
PFSN College CBi
- Kobi Blackwell, Buffalo (79.7, C+)
- Kalen Carroll, Central Michigan (80.3, B-)
PFSN College SAFi
- Jalen McNair, Buffalo (77.5, C+)
- Maddix Blackwell, Central Michigan (75.1, C)
Buffalo vs. Central Michigan Prediction
This is an excellent matchup with two fantastic head coaches, Central Michigan’s Matt Drinkall and Buffalo’s Pete Lembo, in the fledgling years at their respective programs. With a strong home edge and a disciplined mindset, the Chippewas look poised to edge out Buffalo in a hard-fought game.
Drinkall summed up his team’s approach, saying, “We have worked really hard to embrace our identity: Disciplined and physical, and a unique style. Every game is a huge game in this conference because there’s so much parity. This week will be no different because any team that is led by Coach Lembo is going to be incredibly well coached, detailed, smart, and will execute sharply in all phases.”
Buffalo’s defense will challenge that identity, having recorded 14 sacks in its last three games to reach 31 on the season, the most in the MAC and sixth nationally. Fourteen different Bulls have tallied at least one sack, led by Red Murdock and Junior Poyser with 4.5 each.
Still, Central Michigan’s commitment to the run, with 72.3 percent of its plays coming on the ground, and its 5-1 record when leading at halftime could be the deciding factors. Expect a physical, close contest with the Chippewas finding a way to secure the win.
Prediction: Central Michigan: 27, Buffalo: 24
