Central Michigan University Athletics
Saturday, September 26
Miami Gardens, Fla./Hard Rock Stadium
6:30 p.m.
Central Michigan University
at
Miami (Fla.)
Central Michigan was dominant last week in its 24-10 win over Wyoming.
Photo by: Addison Glascock '29 - @aglascock.photography
Football Preview: Miami a High Hill to Climb for Chippewas
9/24/2026 6:00:00 PM | Football
Watch Live on the CWListen LiveLive StatsGameDay PageCMU Game Notes (PDF)Miami, Fla. Game Notes (PDF)
CMU takes on No. 6/5 Hurricanes on Saturday night; MAC opener next week at home against Akron.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – David vs. Goliath.
As well as Central Michigan played last week in its 24-10 home win over Wyoming, the Chippewas will have to be all that and more to hang in on Saturday when they travel to No. 5/6 Miami (Fla.) for a 6:30 p.m. game with the Hurricanes in Hard Rock Stadium.
"135 teams in college football are also asking themselves the same question," CMU coach Matt Drinkall said when asked how a team beats the defending national runners-up. "I think it's appropriate to start by talking about what Miami is not, and what they are not is just some high-priced roster of talented kids. I think that's an easy out.
"You could make an argument that it's the most talented roster in college football. It is the most well-coached team in college football. Their culture is incredible. Their operation and execution are incredible. They are the standard of how college football is trying to operate, of how teams are trying to operate.
"You're playing the best-resourced team in college sports. So this is as good as can be. You've got to play pretty clean to get these guys."
The Chippewas were spic-and-span clean a week ago in rushing for 339 yards in their not-as-close-as-the-score-makes-it-look win over the Cowboys, their second straight victory that lifted them to 2-1.
It was, arguably, the best game, start to finish, the Chippewas have played in the 16 it has played under Drinkall's leadership. They dominated time of possession and held the field-position advantage throughout.
"I hope that was indicative of what's to come," Drinkall said. "Culturally, that's who we need to be as a football program. You started to see an identity, and when I say identity, I mean a defense that's going to fly to the ball, a team that's going to be able to run the ball and establish a culture, and a team that's disciplined, good kids that play really well together. I mean, it operates and plays the game the right way. That was a breath of fresh air."
Miami (3-0) is indeed a college football blue blood with talent, speed and athleticism to burn, and a roster stacked with future NFL players. The Hurricanes rolled past Stanford and then Florida A&M to open the season, and last week built a 31-7 third-quarter lead before finishing off Wake Forest, 33-20.
The Hurricanes are No. 1 in the nation in total offense, scoring an average of 51.7 points per game. They rank 16th in total defense.
"I told the kids I think there's four teams that have a chance to win a national title this year, and I think this is one of them," Drinkall said. "You get a chance to go against the absolute very best, and I don't mean just players, the very best coaching, the best strength and conditioning, the best everything, for 70-some snaps, and learn a lot about yourself and compete your butt off.
"We know we have a couple things that are hard truths for us. We have no chance at being successful if we don't play our absolute fastest, our absolute most violent, and our absolute hardest."
That said, the Chippewas can look to the bigger picture and, no matter how they fare at Miami, the Mid-American Conference opener comes next week when Akron visits Mount Pleasant for CMU's homecoming.
And at the end of the day, win or lose at Miami, it is the ensuing eight games, all with MAC foes, battles in their own weight class, that will make or break the Chippewas' season.
And it's all about improving as the season progresses.
"There's a million ways to win one game individually, but if you want to be successful for long term, you have to play good defense and you have to run the football," Drinkall said. "That's been the foundational thing since we got here.
"There are teams that have had so much long-term success, like Miami (Ohio), that's what they've done so well for so long. They know how to get better during this time of the year. That's our challenge."
The Chippewas rank first among the 13 MAC teams in rushing yards per game and second in total defense, a defense that entered the season with few returning starters and a number of question marks.
"We are further along than I thought we would be (on defense), if I'm being totally honest with you, just considering the amount of production and experience we had lost from a year ago," Drinkall said. "That's a testament to the recruiting staff and (defensive coordinator Sean) Cronin's defensive staff to evaluate and be able to recruit guys that are going to be able to come in here and are a great fit and can wear different hats."
As well as Central Michigan played last week in its 24-10 home win over Wyoming, the Chippewas will have to be all that and more to hang in on Saturday when they travel to No. 5/6 Miami (Fla.) for a 6:30 p.m. game with the Hurricanes in Hard Rock Stadium.
"135 teams in college football are also asking themselves the same question," CMU coach Matt Drinkall said when asked how a team beats the defending national runners-up. "I think it's appropriate to start by talking about what Miami is not, and what they are not is just some high-priced roster of talented kids. I think that's an easy out.
"You could make an argument that it's the most talented roster in college football. It is the most well-coached team in college football. Their culture is incredible. Their operation and execution are incredible. They are the standard of how college football is trying to operate, of how teams are trying to operate.
"You're playing the best-resourced team in college sports. So this is as good as can be. You've got to play pretty clean to get these guys."
The Chippewas were spic-and-span clean a week ago in rushing for 339 yards in their not-as-close-as-the-score-makes-it-look win over the Cowboys, their second straight victory that lifted them to 2-1.
It was, arguably, the best game, start to finish, the Chippewas have played in the 16 it has played under Drinkall's leadership. They dominated time of possession and held the field-position advantage throughout.
"I hope that was indicative of what's to come," Drinkall said. "Culturally, that's who we need to be as a football program. You started to see an identity, and when I say identity, I mean a defense that's going to fly to the ball, a team that's going to be able to run the ball and establish a culture, and a team that's disciplined, good kids that play really well together. I mean, it operates and plays the game the right way. That was a breath of fresh air."
Miami (3-0) is indeed a college football blue blood with talent, speed and athleticism to burn, and a roster stacked with future NFL players. The Hurricanes rolled past Stanford and then Florida A&M to open the season, and last week built a 31-7 third-quarter lead before finishing off Wake Forest, 33-20.
The Hurricanes are No. 1 in the nation in total offense, scoring an average of 51.7 points per game. They rank 16th in total defense.
"I told the kids I think there's four teams that have a chance to win a national title this year, and I think this is one of them," Drinkall said. "You get a chance to go against the absolute very best, and I don't mean just players, the very best coaching, the best strength and conditioning, the best everything, for 70-some snaps, and learn a lot about yourself and compete your butt off.
"We know we have a couple things that are hard truths for us. We have no chance at being successful if we don't play our absolute fastest, our absolute most violent, and our absolute hardest."
That said, the Chippewas can look to the bigger picture and, no matter how they fare at Miami, the Mid-American Conference opener comes next week when Akron visits Mount Pleasant for CMU's homecoming.
And at the end of the day, win or lose at Miami, it is the ensuing eight games, all with MAC foes, battles in their own weight class, that will make or break the Chippewas' season.
And it's all about improving as the season progresses.
"There's a million ways to win one game individually, but if you want to be successful for long term, you have to play good defense and you have to run the football," Drinkall said. "That's been the foundational thing since we got here.
"There are teams that have had so much long-term success, like Miami (Ohio), that's what they've done so well for so long. They know how to get better during this time of the year. That's our challenge."
The Chippewas rank first among the 13 MAC teams in rushing yards per game and second in total defense, a defense that entered the season with few returning starters and a number of question marks.
"We are further along than I thought we would be (on defense), if I'm being totally honest with you, just considering the amount of production and experience we had lost from a year ago," Drinkall said. "That's a testament to the recruiting staff and (defensive coordinator Sean) Cronin's defensive staff to evaluate and be able to recruit guys that are going to be able to come in here and are a great fit and can wear different hats."
Wednesday, September 23
Wednesday, September 23
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19