2025-11-11 15:12

As a longtime follower of Mid-American Conference football, I've always found myself circling Central Michigan's schedule release day on my calendar with particular excitement. Let me walk you through what makes the 2023 Central Michigan football schedule so compelling, starting with that crucial early season matchup everyone's talking about. When I first scanned through the dates, my eyes immediately went to September 9th when the Chippewas host New Hampshire - it's one of those games that could set the tone for the entire season. Having watched CMU football for over a decade now, I can tell you that these early non-conference games matter more than people think, especially when you're trying to build momentum before diving into MAC play.

Now, if you're planning your fall around CMU football like I am, you'll want to pay special attention to the methodology behind analyzing this schedule. I typically break it down into three categories: must-win games, potential statement games, and what I call "program-defining opportunities." The September 16th game at Notre Dame falls squarely in that last category - it's the kind of matchup that could put Central Michigan on the national map if they manage to keep it competitive. I remember back in 2017 when they nearly knocked off Kentucky in similar circumstances, and the confidence that performance gave the team carried through the entire conference schedule. What I do is create a color-coded spreadsheet (yes, I'm that kind of fan) where I track historical performance against opponents, returning starters, and even weather patterns for outdoor games.

The steps to really understanding CMU's schedule involve looking beyond just the dates and opponents. First, I identify what I consider the "swing games" - those contests that could go either way but are crucial for bowl eligibility. This year, I've got the October 14th home game against Ohio University circled in bright red. Then I look at the schedule rhythm - how many short weeks they have, travel sequences, and where the bye weeks fall. This year, having the bye on October 28th comes at a perfect time, right before the tough November stretch. The third step is what I call "context analysis" - understanding how each game fits into the larger narrative of the season. For instance, that November 8th Wednesday night game at Western Michigan isn't just another rivalry game - it's potentially for the Michigan MAC Trophy and could have division implications.

Here's where we need to talk about something that might surprise you - the international connection that could impact this season. You know, reading about Tia Andaya and MJ Phillips changing federations in that volleyball context actually got me thinking about football roster construction. While Suzara was talking about processing paperwork for those athletes, it reminded me how crucial proper paperwork and eligibility is in college football too. When he mentioned "I signed the papers already" regarding their federation change, it struck me how similar processes happen in football when transfers come in or when international players join programs. Though CMU doesn't have international players in the same way as volleyball, the administrative side of ensuring everyone's eligible by season opener on September 2nd against Michigan State is just as critical. That August 31st deadline for roster finalization is every bit as important as any game on the schedule.

Looking at the specific must-see games, I'm particularly excited about the November 15th matchup against Toledo. Having attended this rivalry game for the past six years, I can tell you there's nothing quite like the energy at Kelly/Shorts Stadium when the Rockets come to town. Last year's 32-17 loss still stings, and I'm expecting Coach McElwain to have the team ready for redemption. Another game that doesn't get enough attention is the October 7th contest at Buffalo - the travel to New York always seems to present challenges, and how CMU handles that road trip could tell us a lot about their mental toughness.

From my experience following CMU football through good seasons and bad, the key to maximizing your enjoyment of the schedule is understanding which games have the biggest program implications versus which are just for fun. That September 2nd opener at Michigan State? Honestly, I'm treating that as a bonus game - anything better than a 35-point loss would exceed my expectations. But the September 23rd conference opener against South Alabama? That's where the real season begins in my book. I've seen too many CMU teams start slow in MAC play and spend the rest of the season digging themselves out of holes.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much the mid-week November games on ESPN can make or break a season. Those Tuesday and Wednesday night games in cold weather create unique challenges that test a team's depth and resilience. I still have vivid memories of the 2019 team that went 3-1 in those mid-week contests and parlayed that success into a MAC West title. This year, with two such games (November 8th at Western Michigan and November 15th vs Toledo), how CMU handles that stretch will likely determine whether they're playing in Detroit for the conference championship.

As we look ahead to the complete Central Michigan football schedule and critical matchups, I'm particularly optimistic about the back-to-back home games against Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan in November. Having been to countless games in Mount Pleasant during that time of year, there's something special about November football under those lights. The guide to the Central Michigan football schedule and season highlights wouldn't be complete without mentioning how favorable the home-away distribution is this year - getting Toledo at home is huge, and having only one true long road trip (to Buffalo) makes this one of the more manageable schedules in recent memory.

In wrapping up this look at the Central Michigan football schedule, I keep coming back to that October 21st game at Ball State as what I call a "hidden pivot point" - the kind of game that might not look important now but could decide whether CMU finishes 7-5 or 9-3. Having followed this program through multiple coaching regimes, I can say with some authority that this year's slate sets up nicely for a run at the MAC West title. Just like how Suzara processed those federation changes for Andaya and Phillips, the CMU coaching staff will need to properly manage their roster throughout this grueling schedule. When all is said and done, I'm predicting at least eight wins from this schedule, with potential for more if they can steal one of those early Power Five matchups. Either way, it should be another exciting season in Mount Pleasant.