Central Michigan Football Schedule: Key Games and Dates for the Upcoming Season

As I sit down to analyze Central Michigan's upcoming football schedule, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent developments in international volleyball that caught my attention. Just last week, I read about Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara discussing player transfers, mentioning how he'd already signed papers for Tia Andaya and MJ Phillips' change of federation. That kind of administrative decisiveness reminds me of what makes college football programs successful - the ability to make swift, strategic decisions about roster changes and scheduling. This season's Central Michigan football schedule presents exactly that kind of strategic planning, with several key matchups that could define their 2023 campaign.

Looking at the full 12-game schedule, there are about four or five contests that really stand out to me as potential season-definers. The season kicks off on September 2nd against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium, and honestly, this opening game sets the tone for everything that follows. Having covered CMU football for over eight seasons now, I've seen how these early Power Five matchups can either build tremendous confidence or expose fundamental weaknesses. The Chippewas are getting $1.2 million for this game, which matters more than people realize - that money funds facility improvements and recruiting operations throughout the year. What I particularly like about this year's schedule is the balance between challenging non-conference games and winnable MAC contests. The home opener against New Hampshire on September 9th provides that crucial first home game energy that can carry through the season.

The conference schedule really heats up in October, with back-to-back road games at Ohio University on October 7th and at Ball State on October 14th. These Mid-American Conference road trips often determine who reaches the championship game in Detroit. Last season, CMU went 6-6 overall but 5-3 in conference play, showing they can compete within the MAC even when struggling against tougher opponents. The November 1st matchup against Western Michigan in Mount Pleasant is what I'd consider the most critical game on the schedule. The rivalry aspect alone makes this must-watch football, but beyond the tradition, this game typically has division implications. Having attended this rivalry game seven times since 2015, I can tell you the energy at Kelly/Shorts Stadium is unlike anything else in the MAC.

What fascinates me about analyzing schedules year after year is identifying those swing games that could go either way. For Central Michigan, the October 28th contest against Toledo at home stands out as one of those pivotal moments. Toledo has dominated the MAC West recently, winning 11 games last season, but CMU nearly upset them in 2022 before falling 28-17. I actually think this year's team matches up better against the Rockets, especially with 14 returning starters including quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., who showed flashes of brilliance last season. The timing of this game matters too - it comes after a manageable stretch against Akron and Northern Illinois, giving the Chippewas momentum heading into the toughest part of their schedule.

The final stretch in November presents both challenges and opportunities. Road games at Eastern Michigan on November 8th and at Miami (Ohio) on November 15th will test this team's resilience. Eastern Michigan's Rynearson Stadium has been a house of horrors for CMU in recent years - they've lost three of their last four visits there. But what gives me hope is the schedule structure - they get a bye week before the Miami game, which provides crucial recovery time during the grind of the season. The regular season concludes on November 22nd against Bowling Green at home, which could very well determine bowl eligibility. Last year, CMU needed overtime to defeat the Falcons 38-31 in a thrilling contest that featured over 800 yards of total offense between both teams.

From my perspective, the success of this season hinges on navigating that difficult October stretch while protecting home field advantage. CMU plays six home games this season, which is a significant advantage compared to last year's five. The program has invested approximately $3.5 million in stadium upgrades over the past two years, including new video boards and sound systems that enhance the fan experience. These improvements matter more than people think - creating an intimidating environment for visiting teams can swing one or two close games each season. I've seen firsthand how a packed Kelly/Shorts Stadium can disrupt opposing offenses with crowd noise on critical third-down situations.

The quarterback situation particularly interests me this season. Bert Emanuel Jr. showed tremendous dual-threat capability last year, accounting for 1,863 total yards and 17 touchdowns despite starting only seven games. His development under center will be the single most important factor in whether CMU can exceed the 6.5 win total that most sportsbooks are projecting. The offensive line returns three starters, which should provide the stability needed for Emanuel to flourish. Defensively, the secondary concerns me slightly after losing two starters to graduation, but the front seven appears stronger than last year's unit that recorded 28 sacks.

When I step back and look at the entire schedule, I'm cautiously optimistic about Central Michigan's chances to reach seven or eight wins and secure a bowl berth. The non-conference schedule is challenging but not overwhelming, the MAC home schedule is favorable, and the team avoids playing both Toledo and Northern Illinois on the road. The timing of the bye week is perfect, coming right before the crucial November push. Having followed this program through both lean years and successful seasons, I believe this schedule sets up well for a team that's developing an identity under head coach Jim McElwain. The key will be stealing one of those early non-conference games and building confidence before MAC play begins in earnest. If they can do that, we might be looking at a team that contends for the MAC West title rather than simply fighting for bowl eligibility.