Miami Ohio vs Western Michigan live updates: Start time, TV for MAC championship

It’s hard to beat the same college football team twice in a single season.

That’s what Miami (Ohio) will have to contend with when it faces off against Western Michigan on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Ford Field in Detroit in the MAC championship game.

Watch the MAC championship game on Fubo (free trial)

The RedHawks (7-5, 6-2 MAC) earned a 26-17 win over the Broncos (8-4, 7-1) on Oct. 25. Interestingly, both teams started the season 0-3, but recovered during conference play to get themselves into the conference championship game.

With one conference loss, Western Michigan won the regular-season MAC title. However, the road for Miami was a little more complicated, as it finished tied with Toledo and Ohio with two losses apiece. The RedHawks earned the spot in the championship game, despite regular-season losses to both.

Miami’s 49-25 win over Ball State served as the three-way tiebreaker, as the RedHawks had a better win percentage than Ohio and Toledo vs. all common opponents.

USA TODAY is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along:

Miami vs Western Michigan score

Miami vs Western Michigan live updates

This section will be updated.

Western Michigan has won four MAC titles in program history (1966, 1976, 1988 and 2016). Miami has won 17 while a member of the MAC, and has 25 conference championships in school history.

Here’s a look at Miami (Ohio) players walking into Detroit Field:

What time does Miami vs Western Michigan start?

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
• Time: Noon ET
• Where: Ford Field (Detroit)

Miami vs Western Michigan will kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Ford Field in Detroit.

What TV channel is Miami vs Western Michigan on today?

The MAC championship game between Miami and Western Michigan will be broadcast on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ESPN and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Miami vs Western Michigan predictions

• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Sports: Western Michigan 20, Miami 17

Western Michigan avenges its lone regular-season conference loss with a win over Miami to win its first MAC title since 2016. The Broncos’ defense will smother the RedHawks in a defensive battle, scoring a touchdown on a fumble return in the first half.

• Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Sports: Western Michigan 23, Miami 20

Western Michigan’s lone conference loss this season came against Miami. However, it’s hard to beat a team twice in the same season and the Broncos have won four consecutive games since falling to the RedHawks in late October. It should be a close game, but Western Michigan gets revenge for its first MAC title since 2016.

• John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports: Miami 24, Western Michigan 21

Defense wins championships, and that is what this game is going to come down to. Both defenses rank in the top four of the MAC in sacks, with Miami leading Western Michigan 38-14 in the category. Whichever defense can get a few stops (or takeaways) in the fourth quarter will win this one.

Miami football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Miami’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

• Thursday, Aug. 28: Wisconsin 17, Miami 0
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Rutgers 45, Miami 17
• Saturday, Sept. 13: BYE
• Saturday, Sept. 20: UNLV 41, Miami 38
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Miami 38, Lindenwood 0
• Saturday, Oct. 4: Miami 25, Northern Illinois 14 *
• Saturday, Oct. 11: Miami 20, Akron 7 *
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Miami 44, Eastern Michigan 30 *
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Miami 26, Western Michigan 17 *
• Saturday, Nov. 1: BYE
• Tuesday, Nov. 4: Ohio 24, Miami 20 *
• Wednesday, Nov. 12: Toledo 24, Miami 3 *
• Wednesday, Nov. 19: Miami 37, Buffalo 20 *
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Miami 45, Ball State 24 *
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Miami vs Western Michigan | ESPN, Noon ET **

* – denotes MAC game

** – denotes MAC championship game

Western Michigan football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Western Michigan’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

• Friday, Aug. 29: Michigan State 23, Western Michigan 6
• Saturday, Sept. 6: North Texas 33, Western Michigan 30 (OT)
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Illinois 38, Western Michigan 0
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Western Michigan 14, Toledo 13 *
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Western Michigan 47, Rhode Island 14
• Saturday, Oct. 4: Western Michigan 21, Massachusetts 3 *
• Saturday, Oct. 11: Western Michigan 42, Ball State 0 *
• Saturday, Oct. 18: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Miami 26, Western Michigan 17 *
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Western Michigan 24, Central Michigan 21 *
• Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
• Tuesday, Nov. 11: Western Michigan 17, Ohio 13 *
• Tuesday, Nov. 18: Western Michigan 35, Northern Illinois 19 *
• Tuesday, Nov. 25: Western Michigan 31, Eastern Michigan 21 *
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Miami vs Western Michigan | ESPN, Noon ET **

* – denotes MAC game

** – denotes MAC championship game