The Central Michigan Chippewas are taking a second road trip to play a Southeastern Conference foe this weekend, traveling to LSU.
As you would expect, coach Jim McElwain’s football team is a heavy underdog for the Saturday game at Tiger Stadium, with the point spread having opened at 21 points in favor of the 2019 national champions.
That number has moved to below 20 points at most Michigan sportsbooks. You can find our real-time odds tracker below.
However, even without McElwain in the season opener at Missouri, the Chippewas covered a two-touchdown spread against those other Tigers from the SEC in a 34-24 defeat.
McElwain, who went 16-8 in SEC games in his three seasons as Florida coach, returned to the CMU sidelines last week after missing the Mizzou trip because of surgery from appendicitis. With the coach back, CMU earned a convincing win in its home opener, downing Robert Morris 45-0.
How to watch: Central Michigan Chippewas at LSU Tigers
- What: Central Michigan (1-1) at LSU (1-1)
- When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- TV: SEC Network (Announcers: Tom Hart, Jordan Rogers, Cole Cubelic)
- Online livestream: ESPN3
- Radio: CMU Sports Properties Radio Network (1270-AM in Detroit); audio stream at CMUChippewas.com
LSU unranked after dropping opener at UCLA
Coach Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers came into the season ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25, but dropped their opener at UCLA, 38-27.
The Tigers responded by dispatching FCS foe McNeese State 34-7 on Saturday. LSU received 26 rankings points in the AP poll this week, coming in at No. 38.
Lefty sophomore QB Max Johnson, son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson, is the first LSU quarterback to throw for three touchdowns in each of his first four starts. He’ll put that streak to the test Saturday.
A player to watch on the LSU defense is junior cornerback Derek Stingley, who is a candidate to go No. 1 in the 2022 NFL Draft (keep an eye out, Detroit Lions fans).
Stingley has six career interceptions and teams with sophomore CB Eli Ricks for one of the nation’s top duos.
LSU has won 56 of its past 57 non-conference games at Tiger Stadium.
Washington transfer QB Jacob Sirmon starting strong for Chippewas
McElwain has built a solid program in Mount Pleasant and is off to a strong start in his third year.
Sophomore Jacob Sirmon is under center for the Chippewas after a transfer from Washington. Through two games, Sirmon has completed 57.4% of his passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted twice against Mizzou.
Junior wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton showed his versatility against Robert Morris, finishing with a game-high 109 all-purpose yards. In the backfield, 10 Chippewas had a carry in the blowout win.
CMU and LSU are meeting for the first time Saturday.
