| Year: | 1987 |
| Team: | Central Michigan Chippewas |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 5–5–1 |
| Conf Record: | 3–4–1 |
| Head Coach: | Herb Deromedi |
| Hc Year: | 10th |
| Mvp: | Eric Reed |
| Stadium: | Kelly/Shorts Stadium |
The 1987 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 10th season under head coach Herb Deromedi, the Chippewas compiled a 5–5–1 record (3–4–1 against MAC opponents), finished in sixth place in the MAC standings, and outscored their opponents, 222 to 203.[1] [2] The team played its home games in Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan,[3] with attendance of 101,481 in five home games.[4]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Marcelle Carruthers with 1,323 passing yards, tailback John Hood with 1,121 rushing yards, and wide receiver Eric Reed with 652 receiving yards.[5] Reed received the team's most valuable player award.[6] Five Central Michigan players (offensive tackle Joe Churches, tailback John Hood, outside linebacker Phil Zielinski, inside linebacker Chris Wise, and defensive back Howard Young) received first-team All-MAC honors.[7]