The Central Michigan football team was forced to take its lumps last week for a payday against LSU. This week, Central Michigan returns home looking to get back to .500 against FIU.
Can the Chippewas wrap up non-conference play with a win over Florida International? Let’s take a look.
Central Michigan vs. FIU: NCAA Football Odds
Oddsmakers like CMU by double digits
Central Michigan returns home as a lofty favorite against FIU this weekend.
Oddsmakers across the board were listing the Chippewas as a 10-point home favorite.
Moneylines for CMU initially ranged from -420 to -450. PointsBet Sportsbook had the early top offer at -420. FIU had lines ranging from +320 to +340. DraftKings Sportsbook had the best value at +340.
The over/under total is ranging from 55.5 to 56.5 points. WynnBet Sportsbook had the highest early total listed at 56.5.
Check the odds tracker above for the latest real-time lines on all sides of this game.
Central Michigan comes into Saturday’s game with FIU 2-1 against the spread and with the under hitting twice, while Florida International is 1-2 against the spread and the over hitting twice.
This will be the first meeting between these two football programs.
How to watch: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. FIU Golden Panthers
- What: Florida International (1-2) at Central Michigan (1-2)
- When: Noon ET, Saturday, Sept. 25
- Where: Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant
- Online livestream: ESPN+ (Announcers: Jim Barbar, Randy Buffington)
- Radio: CMU Sports Properties Radio Network
CMU overwhelmed by LSU
Central made a rare trip to Baton Rouge last week in playing LSU. The Chippewas were a 19.5-point underdog and ultimately suffered a 49-21 defeat.
CMU’s secondary was diced up for 400 passing yards by the Tigers, while Central was held to just 284 total yards of offense.
Max Johnson didn’t do much wrong for LSU, throwing for 372 yards and five touchdowns on 26-for-35 passing.
CMU’s offense struggled to move the ball, especially on the ground. The Chippewas ran for 56 yards on 31 carries. Myles Bailey led the way with 29 yards on seven carries.
Jacob Sirmon threw for 156 yards and a touchdown on 17 of 24 passing, while Daniel Richardson had 72 yards passing with a TD.
JaCorey Sullivan was the lone highlight for the Chips. He had five catches for 114 yards and a score.
Chips looking for offensive identity
Central Michigan came into the season without one of their top weapons. Running back Kobe Lewis suffered a knee injury that has him out indefinitely.
Lewis was second on the team in rushing last season (468 yards), giving CMU a nice 1-2 punch with Lew Nichols III.
This year, CMU hasn’t had that same explosion on the ground. Nichols III is leading the way with 232 yards.
Sirmon has been leading the offense with 561 passing yards and five touchdowns, but he has already been sacked 16 times in just three games. The transfer from Washington has been mixed with results thus far.
He completed just 51 percent of his passes in a 34-24 loss at Missouri to open the season, but was very efficient (12-for-16, 110 yards, 3 TDs) in a dominant win over Robert Morris in Week 2.
Richardson, a freshman, has seen action in all three games as CMU wants to give him opportunities throughout the year.
FIU looking to avoid 3-game skid
Florida International opened its season with a 48-10 win at home over Long Island University, but is coming off back-to-back losses to Texas State and Texas Tech.
Defense has been the main problem for the Panthers, as they are giving up 403.7 yards per game while yet to force a takeaway in 2021.
Offensively, FIU is right about where CMU is at. The Panthers are averaging 414.3 yards per game while having a good balance of run and pass.
Max Bortenschlager is a senior QB. He has thrown for 710 yards and six touchdowns with just two interceptions. His issue is he’s completing just 55 percent of his passes.
D’vonte Price handles most of the duties in the backfield. The senior running back has 327 yards and four scores while taking on nearly half of the team’s carries.
