Gus Stark/Collegiate Images/Getty Images. Pictured: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
The LSU Tigers allowed 623 yards through the air last year against Mississippi State. Now, they have to play the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon without arguably the top defensive back in the entire country.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who’s status has been in flux all week, will miss today’s game after suffering a foot injury in practice Wednesday.
The Tigers were 2.5-point favorites at DraftKings, but were adjusted down to -1.5 following the news. The total has bounced around a key number of 56 all week, currently sitting 55.5 as of late Saturday morning.
Stingley was the third-best prospect and top-ranked corner coming out of the 2019 class, per 247.
He was an immediate contributor for the title-winning team as a freshman, racking up 38 tackles, six picks and 15 pass deflections.
The 20-year-old and future first-rounder hasn’t registered an interception over his last two seasons, but does have 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and seven passes defended.
LSU’s secondary has been hit for big plays all season, ranking 104th nationally in yards per completion allowed (14.4). Mississippi State’s K.J. Costello last year ripped the Tigers up for five touchdowns alongside the 600-plus passing yards.
LSU picked up its first win against the spread in Week 3, beating Central Michigan by 28 as a 19.5-point favorite.
Mississippi State, meanwhile, lost outright to Memphis as three-point chalk.
Saturday’s game is slated for 12 p.m. ET.