What channel is Michigan State football vs. Central Michigan on today? Time, TV schedule

Michigan State's 2023 college football season will start at home once again on a Friday night vs. fellow mitten dweller Central Michigan to kick off the 100th season of football at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Fourth-year coach Mel Tucker has his work cut out after last season's abysmal 5-7 season, which started with MSU ranked No. 14 in the nation. Last season's debut started off well enough with a 35-13 win over Western Michigan.

MSU is 10-0 in Friday season openers, including eight wins at home, since beginning the tradition in 2011.

MSU has won its past four games against CMU, most recently a 31-20 win in 2018, but the Chippewas have been dangerous in the past for the Spartans. CMU pulled off a wild 29-27 upset at MSU in the second game of the 2009 season, and won twice here in the 1990s.

MORE: Watch Michigan State-Central Michigan live with FUBO (free trial)

The big question entering this game: Who will start at quarterback for the Spartans? The candidates are redshirt junior Noah Kim and redshirt freshman Katin Houser. Kim was the backup to Payton Thorne, now at Auburn, last season and saw 38 snaps over four games going 14-for-19 passing for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Houser appeared in one game (six snaps). Tucker gave no clues this week in his preview news conference, but expect both to get a chance to play Friday.

Update: Kim will get the ball first for MSU, Tucker said on his pregame radio spot.

The Chippewas offense will look far different after standout running back Lew Nichols III departed for the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick by Green Bay. Redshirt freshman Bert Emanuel Jr. gets the start at QB, after a dynamic 2022 that saw him play in just four games to preserve his redshirt. Yet he ran for 496 yards on 96 carries and a team-best seven scores (he threw eight passes, completing four). CMU last year was below average on offense with 367.2 yards (84th in FBS) and 24.8 points (tied for 86th) per game. It was last in turnover margin at minus-18 (27 turnovers vs. nine takeaways), but returns solid experience across the defense, notably with cornerback Donte Kent and defensive tackles Jacques Bristol and Robi Stuart.

OPINION: How Mel Tucker is sowing greater doubt about Michigan State football

Here's everything you need to know about the game, including time, date, TV and streaming info, and more:

What channel is Michigan State vs. Central Michigan today?

• TV channel: FS1.

• Stream: Fox Sports app, FUBO (free trial).

• Radio: WWJ-AM (760).

The Spartans will host the Chippewas on Fox Sports 1, with the game called from the booth by Tim Brando as the play-by-play announcer and former NFL running back Spencer Tillman as the analyst.

Michigan State vs. Central Michigan start time

• Date: Friday, Sept. 1

• Time: 7 p.m. ET

The Spartans and Chippewas will kick off their 2023 season openers at 7 p.m. under the lights.

THE GAME: Michigan State vs. Central Michigan: Scouting report, prediction

Michigan State vs. Central Michigan betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday night:

• Spread: Michigan State (-14)

• Over/under: 45.5 points

• Moneyline: MSU -650, CMU +450

Michigan State schedule 2023

CMU football schedule 2023

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football vs. Central Michigan channel, time, TV info