In their 13th season under head coach Herb Deromedi, the Chippewas compiled an 8–3–1 record (7–1 against MAC opponents), tied with Toledo for the MAC championship, lost to San Jose State in the California Bowl, and outscored their opponents, 283 to 146.
[4] Led by a strong defense, the team shut out Cincinnati (34–0), Bowling Green (17–0), and Kent State (42–0), and held nine of twelve opponents to fewer than 14 points.
[1] On September 22, 1990, the defensive unit set a school record, holding Bowling Green to only two first downs in a 17–0 victory.
[5][1] The following week, the defense set another school record with six interceptions in a 31–7 victory over the Miami Redskins.
[9] Eight Central Michigan players (WR Ken Ealy, OG Paul Jacobson, QB Jeff Bender, RB Billy Smith, DL J.J. Wierenga, ILB Rich Curtiss, DB David Johnson, and DB Ken Strong) received first-team All-MAC honors.