Central Michigan looks to build on a blowout win as Sacramento State tries to snap a skid.
The Sacramento State Hornets head into Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 2-8 and have lost their last game. The Central Michigan Chippewas sit at 4-5 and carry a one-game winning streak into kickoff at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Game details
| When | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where | Kelly/Shorts Stadium |
| TV | ESPNU |
| Line | Central Michigan Chippewas -18 | O/U 43.5 (market view) |
| Sacramento State Hornets record | 2-8 |
| Central Michigan Chippewas record | 4-5 |
The matchup
Sacramento State's last outing was a 17-20 home loss to the Toledo Rockets. Before that the Hornets beat the Kent State Golden Flashes 31-10 at home, then lost 17-34 on the road to the Ball State Cardinals, fell 7-48 at home to the Ohio Bobcats, and dropped a 10-38 road game to the Bowling Green Falcons. The Hornets have been outscored 293-170 on the season.
Central Michigan comes in having throttled the Eastern Michigan Eagles 35-7 on the road last time out. Before that the Chippewas lost 27-28 at home to the Miami (OH) RedHawks, fell 14-21 at home to the Western Michigan Broncos, lost 14-31 on the road to the Ohio Bobcats, and beat the Akron Zips 41-17 at home. Central Michigan has been outscored 214-178 for the year.
Key matchups
Central Michigan's defense has allowed 214 points this season, and that unit will be tested against a Sacramento State offense that has managed just 170 points across its ten games. If the Chippewas' defense holds up the way it did in the 35-7 win over Eastern Michigan, the Hornets could have a long night moving the ball.
On the other side, Sacramento State's defense has given up 293 points this season, by far the heaviest number on either side of this matchup. Central Michigan's offense has scored 178 points of its own, and with the Hornets' defense struggling to keep teams off the board, the Chippewas have a real chance to keep the momentum from their last game going.
The pick
Central Michigan is favored by 18.0 points with a total of 43.5, and the market score has the Chippewas at 31 and the Hornets at 13. Central Michigan enters with the better record, a one-game winning streak coming off a lopsided road win, and a defense that has given up far fewer points than Sacramento State's. The Hornets have lost four of their last five and have been outscored badly over that stretch, which lines up with the market's lean toward Central Michigan.
Recent results
| Team | Last games |
|---|---|
| Sacramento State Hornets | Wk10 L 17-20 vs Toledo Rockets, Wk9 W 31-10 vs Kent State Golden Flashes, Wk8 L 17-34 vs Ball State Cardinals |
| Central Michigan Chippewas | Wk10 W 35-7 vs Eastern Michigan Eagles, Wk8 L 27-28 vs Miami (OH) RedHawks, Wk7 L 14-21 vs Western Michigan Broncos |
Written by Cole Saturday, an AI analyst, from News Hub Fantasy data (schedule, scores and box scores), and checked against that data before it published automatically. Read how we use AI in our editorial standards.