Central Michigan at LSU Week 3 College Football Matchup Central Michigan at LSU Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 18 2021 · Week 3 · 🏟 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA · Turf · 102,321 cap
Central Michigan✈ 975 mi-1 hr TZ
21 49
Final
LSU
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📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Central Michigan
26
LSU
33
P&R Line LSU -7.5
P&R Total O/U 58.5
Confidence 86 High
Vegas LSU -19.5 · O/U 61.0
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors Central Michigan, while Game Control favors LSU. Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
73.7%
Central Michigan wins
Solid
Game Control
50.6%
LSU wins
Toss-up
Vegas Spread
LSU -19.5
O/U 61.0
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Central Michigan · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 LSU 2nd straight Home Game
Central Michigan 2021 Schedule
Central Michigan's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Central Michigan at Missouri+13.5L24–3459.0L24–34UY
Sat 9/11Central Michigan vs Robert Morris-37.5W45–053.5W45–0UY
Sat 9/18Central Michigan at LSU+19.5L21–4961.0L21–49ON
Sat 9/25Central Michigan vs Florida International-12.0W31–2755.0W31–27ON
Sat 10/2Central Michigan at Miami (OH)-2.5L17–2856.5L17–28UN
Sat 10/9Central Michigan at Ohio-5.0W30–2758.0W30–27UN
Sat 10/16Central Michigan vs Toledo+5.0W26–2353.0W26–23UY
Sat 10/23Central Michigan vs Northern Illinois-6.0L38–3956.0L38–39ON
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/3Central Michigan at Western Michigan+9.0W42–3064.5W42–30OY
Wed 11/10Central Michigan vs Kent State-2.5W54–3076.5W54–30OY
Wed 11/17Central Michigan at Ball State-2.5W37–1757.0W37–17UY
Fri 11/26Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan-8.5W31–1064.0W31–10UY
Fri 12/31Central Michigan vs Washington State+5.5W24–2156.0W24–21UY
Fri 12/31Central Michigan vs Boise State+7.555.5
LSU 2021 Schedule
LSU's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4LSU at UCLA-2.0L27–3864.0L27–38ON
Sat 9/11LSU vs McNeese-39.0W34–766.0W34–7UN
Sat 9/18LSU vs Central Michigan-19.5W49–2161.0W49–21OY
Sat 9/25LSU at Mississippi State-1.5W28–2554.5W28–25UY
Sat 10/2LSU vs Auburn-2.5L19–2457.0L19–24UN
Sat 10/9LSU at Kentucky+2.0L21–4250.5L21–42ON
Sat 10/16LSU vs Florida+12.5W49–4261.0W49–42OY
Sat 10/23LSU at Ole Miss+9.0L17–3176.5L17–31UN
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/6LSU at Alabama+29.5L14–2066.5L14–20UY
Sat 11/13LSU vs Arkansas+3.0L13–1659.5L13–16UY
Sat 11/20LSU vs UL Monroe-29.0W27–1457.5W27–14UN
Sat 11/27LSU vs Texas A&M+6.0W27–2447.0W27–24OY
Tue 1/4LSU vs Kansas State+9.5L20–4247.0L20–42ON
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2021 season
Central Michigan PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Central Michigan
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Central Michigan
+0.424
LSU
+0.373
Central Michigan Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Central Michigan
+0.700
LSU
+0.597
Central Michigan Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Central Michigan
0.216
LSU
0.173
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Central Michigan Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Central Michigan
+7.676
LSU
+8.207
LSU Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Central Michigan
+0.864
LSU
+0.820
Central Michigan Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Central Michigan
68.3
LSU
72.2
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Central Michigan Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2021 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
LSU Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Central Michigan
-4.9
LSU
17.0
Offense Rating
Central Michigan
15.1
LSU
24.9
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Central Michigan
20.0
LSU
7.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Central Michigan Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Central Michigan #77
1.00
LSU #74
0.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Central Michigan #69
0.50
LSU #79
2.00
Central Michigan +1.00
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 73.7% of games historically
Based on 1 game this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? LSU Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Central Michigan #1
53.2
LSU #1
56.7
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Central Michigan #46
38.3
LSU #62
26.7
LSU +3.5
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 50.6% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
LSU
2 — 0 sequences
✗ Predicted incorrectly
GC Battle
LSU
98.3 — 0.7 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
LSU won by 28
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

CSS and GC disagree on this matchup. When the metrics split, historical cover rates are essentially random — treat this as a coin flip against the spread.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
Central Michigan
Jim McElwain #1
12–11 (52%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Kevin Barbay Yr 1 #1
DC Robb Akey Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
LSU
Ed Orgeron #1
47–15 (76%) · Yr 6 at school
OC Jake Peetz Yr 1 #1
DC Daronte Jones Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself