DETROIT, Mich. — The longest-running series in the Mid-American Conference moves indoors this week. Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Ford Field for the 104th time, a midweek game that will be televised nationally.
Only one rivalry inside the state has been played more often, Michigan against Michigan State. The Chippewas lead the all-time series 65-32-6, and the two schools have played every year for 55 straight seasons.
Both arrive looking to steady a season. Eastern Michigan is 4-5 and 3-2 in the MAC after an 11-day break that followed a painful 24-20 loss at Ohio on Oct. 24. The Eagles drove 98 yards to take a 20-17 lead, but the Bobcats ran the ensuing kickoff back 100 yards with 3:40 left, then stopped Eastern four times at the goal line to hold on.
Central Michigan is 3-5 and 1-3 in the conference after a third straight defeat, 28-27 to Miami (Ohio). Quarterback Jadyn Glasser, starting for the first time this fall, set career bests with 18 completions in 31 attempts for 221 yards, and the defense scored on a 46-yard interception return by Justin Taylor. The Chippewas also drew a season-high 10 penalties.
Recent history favors CMU, which has won five of the last seven meetings, including a 24-13 home win in September 2025. The only other time the rivals met in Detroit, on Nov. 6, 2004, the Eagles outlasted the Chippewas 61-58 after four extra periods.
The game is a reminder of the stakes downtown later this season, too. Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, will host the men’s Final Four in April.
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