The Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) and LSU Tigers (1-1) meet Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rogue, La. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Central Michigan vs. LSU odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Chippewas opened the season on the road against an SEC team, falling 34-24 at Missouri. The Chips covered that game as 13.5-point underdogs, and then covered their home opener in Mount Pleasant by a 45-0 count against FCS Robert Morris. The Under hit in each of their outings.
The Tigers topped McNeese State and head coach Ed Orgeron’s son Cody in Baton Rouge last weekend, 34-7, although they failed to cover the 38.5-point spread. They also failed to cover as 1.5-point favorites in their opening game loss at UCLA. They have split the Over/Under 1-1.
Central Michigan at LSU odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:46 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Central Michigan +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | LSU -1000 (bet $1,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Central Michigan +19.5 (-112) | LSU -19.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 60.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Central Michigan at LSU odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
LSU 41, Central Michigan 17
Money line
LSU (-1000) will cost you 10 times your potential return. The Tigers have had plenty of issues on offense and were only able to muster up 34 points against their FCS visitors last week.
It’s always risky to bet this heavy of a favorite straight up, but even more so with as shaky as LSU has been.
AVOID, and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
LSU -19.5 (-108) is the lean here, but don’t be surprised to see Central Michigan hang in this game for at least the first half.
The Chips have covered their first two games, including a trip to Columbia to battle Mizzou. While many might gravitate to the visitors because of their 2-0 ATS mark, and especially considering LSU’s 0-2 ATS record, the Tigers are going to piece it together soon or later.
This is a tough spot for Central, including a bout with the heat and humidity of Louisiana. I think LSU pulls away in the second half due to a number of factors, including speed, the heat and more.
Over/Under
UNDER 60.5 (-110) is worth a small-unit play. The Under has connected in each of CMU’s two outings, while LSU has struggled offensively and hit the Under in its only home game.
LSU will keep Central Michigan mostly in check, and while I expect the Tigers to be better offensively this one will still be Under.
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