Tennessee at Mississippi State Game Matchup
Tennessee logo Tennessee Volunteers at Mississippi State BulldogsMississippi State logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Davis Wade Stadium - Starkville, MS  (SEC)

 
Volunteers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (37 - 14)
Avg Score : 36 - 16 (22 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#21)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 1) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 3)
MSST 4th straight Home Game
MSST is playing their 5th straight game
TENN is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Tennessee -13.5   (SP+ TENN -20)
Projected Score: TENN: 35 - MSST: 22 (56)
TENN Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
TENN Travel: 326 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Bulldogs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jeff Lebby (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 26 - 34 (31 - 35 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 (#124)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 4) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
 
Tennessee's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Tennessee vs Syracuse-12.555.5
Sat 9/6 Tennessee vs East Tennessee State-41
Sat 9/13 Tennessee vs Georgia+7.5
Sat 9/20 Tennessee vs UAB-34
Sat 9/27 Tennessee at Mississippi State-13.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Tennessee vs Arkansas-10.5
Sat 10/18 Tennessee at Alabama+15
Sat 10/25 Tennessee at Kentucky-9.5
Sat 11/1 Tennessee vs Oklahoma-1
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Tennessee vs New Mexico State-38.5
Sat 11/22 Tennessee at Florida+5
Sat 11/29 Tennessee vs Vanderbilt-14.5

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 4, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 4, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Tennessee's Schedule
Mississippi State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Mississippi State at Southern Miss-14.00.0
Sat 9/6 Mississippi State vs Arizona State+11
Sat 9/13 Mississippi State vs Alcorn State-25
Sat 9/20 Mississippi State vs Northern Illinois-14.5
Sat 9/27 Mississippi State vs Tennessee+13.5
Sat 10/4 Mississippi State at Texas A&M+23
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Mississippi State at Florida+20.5
Sat 10/25 Mississippi State vs Texas+24.5
Sat 11/1 Mississippi State at Arkansas+10.5
Sat 11/8 Mississippi State vs Georgia+23.5
Sat 11/15 Mississippi State at Missouri+14
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/29 Mississippi State vs Ole Miss+14

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Mississippi State's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
TENN#46 (.23)47% (18)35.748% (23)3.4 (13)22747% (19)2214.02 (55)#13 (.07)38% (17)16.136% (9)39% (48)3.03 (10)66.81.21.6
MSST#78 (.17)39% (109)25.840% (105)2.9 (93)13938% (104)2393.75 (86)#130 (.32)50% (133)34.147% (108)55% (134)4.32 (113)60.31.50.9
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
TENN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MSST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TENN Offense1335.721.847.4%4.021.2234482272215.157%43%48%47%12%.23
MSST Defense1234.134.950.4%4.320.9 - - - - - 59%41%47%55%11%.32
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TENN Defense1316.12637.6%3.031.6 - - - - - 48%51%36%39%21%.07
MSST Offense1225.830.739.2%3.751.520378139239450%50%40%38%21%.17

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Tennessee1329:3523.347%61%8.166.81.21.67.22.2231.6
Mississippi State1225:4120.337%57%6.860.31.50.93.90.8228.1
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
TENN Offense1357% (23)48% (23)44.7226.85.134 (10).18 (39)3.4 (13)86% (2)8% (33)0.87 (115)
MSST Defense1259% (132)47% (108) - - - - .15 (80)3.3 (113)71% (57)7% (133)0.85 (13)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
TENN Defense1348% (42)36% (9) - - - - .01 (17)2.61 (17)62% (15)14% (5)0.98 (65)
MSST Offense1250% (73)40% (105)34.8138.6419 (73).09 (92)2.9 (93)73% (71)13% (122)1.08 (28)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TENN Offense1343% (111)47% (19)18.228.7221.27.712.221 (51)7 (26).29 (51)1.5 (113)29% (25)34% (41).38 (50)4% (13)1.9 (114)
MSST Defense1241% (3)55% (134) - - - - - - 7 (104).58 (134)1.5 (48)24% (134)39% (131).55 (130)4% (123)1.9 (38)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TENN Defense1351% (87)39% (48) - - - - - - 12 (39).16 (32)1.5 (38)33% (46)31% (74).33 (80)7% (39)2 (44)
MSST Offense1250% (62)38% (104)17.930.6239.37.813.419 (65)8 (40).25 (76)1.8 (18)34% (113)32% (62).33 (73)8% (116)2.1 (56)

Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 16.18 #18
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 17.75 #45
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 1.57 #13
2025 Talent Rating: 920.00 #18
Blue Chip Ratio: 42% #16
Tennessee's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
Tennessee's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.4 #13
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.4 #34
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 13.0 #7

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 944.88
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.29

Power Ratings Matchup
Tennessee: 16.18   Mississippi State: 3.95

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Tennessee: 18.4   Mississippi State: -1.4




Mississippi State's Power Ratings
Mississippi State's Power Rating: 3.95 #55
Mississippi State's Offense Rating: 19.39 #38
Mississippi State's Defense Rating: 15.09 #71
2025 Talent Rating: 798.00 #48
Blue Chip Ratio: 17 #29
Mississippi State's 2025 Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3
Mississippi State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.4 #71
Mississippi State's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.5 #60
Mississippi State's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.9 #72

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 944.88
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.29


Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 35.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.8
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 35
Mississippi State 22

Projected Total Points: 56
Mississippi State Scoring
Offense: 25.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.7
Defense: 34.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 34.9

Mississippi State's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/09Tennessee33Mississippi State14TennesseeTennessee -26.5Mississippi State61.5Under
201910/12Tennessee20Mississippi State10TennesseeMississippi State -5Tennessee52.5Under
201210/13Mississippi State41Tennessee31Mississippi State
200810/18Tennessee34Mississippi State3Tennessee
200710/13Mississippi State21Tennessee33Tennessee
200311/15Tennessee59Mississippi State21Tennessee
200211/16Mississippi State17Tennessee35Tennessee
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Mississippi State110 Overs
Tennessee612 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 21 - 10 - 11 - 0
Road Teams2 - 51 - 10 - 11 - 0

(#18) Tennessee Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 16.18 #18
Offense Rating: 17.75 #45
Defense Rating: 1.57 #13
Overall SP+ Rating: 18.4 #13
Offense SP+ Rating: 31.4 #34
Defense SP+ Rating: 13.0 #7
Talent Rating: 920.00 #18
Blue Chip Ratio: 42% #16
Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 43%
Great Offense Success Rate of 47%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 4.02 PPO
Good Run Success 48%
Great Pass Success 47%
Bad OL Grades, Great OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 3.03 PPO
Great Run Def Success 36%
Avg Pass Def Success 39%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position


Tennessee Notes
(5/11) OL exp bottom 20 & 53% comes from portals
(5/6) OT Heard was last in SEC in PFF grading
(5/4) Basically traded Nico for Joey Aguliar (App St QB)
(4/12) QB1 Merklinger (So)? Only 2 on roster, big need
(4/4) CB Jermod McCoy the #2 CB via PFF
(4/4) DE Joshua Josephs just outside top 10 via PFF
(3/22) TE Kitselman a top TE w/ great hands
(3/22) Def v good, returns a lot. DE Josephs v good
(3/20) WR rebuild. Brazzell/Matthews/talent ready?
(3/18) RB rebuild. Thomas (Duke) can help. Talented
Tennessee     Ratings Matchup     Mississippi State
Power #18
#55
Off #45
#38
Def #13
#71
Talent #18
#48
SP+ #13
#71
SP+ Off #34
#60
SP+ Def #7
#72

Previous Matchups
Tennessee beat Mississippi State last year (33-14)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Davis Wade Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: TENN | MSST
Depth Chart: TENN | MSST
Rosters: TENN | MSST
(#55) Mississippi State Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 3.95 #55
Offense Rating: 19.39 #38
Defense Rating: 15.09 #71
Overall SP+ Rating: -1.4 #71
Offense SP+ Rating: 27.5 #60
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.9 #72
Talent Rating: 798.00 #48
Blue Chip Ratio: 17 #29
Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 50%
Poor Offense Success Rate of 39%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.75 PPO
Poor Run Success 40%
Poor Pass Success 38%
Bad OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Bad DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 50%
Awful in Scoring Position 4.32 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 47%
Awful Pass Def Success 55%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Mississippi State Notes
(5/23) Added 5 portal OL post spring. Bad sign?
(5/23) Talent #'s of a mid B12 team, and dropping
(5/7) Def 39 ppg, 7 ypp allowed in SEC play LY
(5/2) TE Seydou Traore a good, reliable target
(4/19) Watch Fr QB KaMario Taylor. Dynamic runner
(4/19) DL improved, SEC caliber bodies unlike LY
(3/18) QB1? Shapen or Kromenhoek (FSU)
(3/18) RBs Booth/Bothwell/Daniels good depth
(3/18) OL 2/5 back. 4 portal adds. Bad unit LY
(3/18) Def torched LY. Return a lot, but is that good?


  
Tennessee's OC Joey Halzle
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Joey Aguilar (Tr)21839056%300223147.7
Jake Merklinger6967%48005.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Star Thomas (Tr)21387174.144
DeSean Bishop7445536.153
Peyton Lewis6433935.335
Joey Aguilar (Tr)5821723.749
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Brazzell II29333211.553
Miles Kitselman22301413.731
Star Thomas (Tr)2015317.729
Ethan Davis1310027.718

View Tennessee's Full Roster
Tennessee's DC Tim Banks
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Arion Carter687036
Jermod McCoy441007
Jeremiah Telander434111
Joshua Josephs399283
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominic Bailey254250
Jaxson Moi165201
Tyre West165220
Joshua Josephs399283
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jermod McCoy441007
Arion Carter687036
Colton Hood (Tr)231006

Mississippi State's OC Jeff Lebby
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Blake Shapen7410869%974819.0
Luke Kromenhoek (Tr)448452%502326.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Fluff Bothwell (Tr)112834137.459
Davon Booth15275955.043
Johnnie Daniels10854045.036
Xavier Gayten8115114.472
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Markus Allen (Tr)42636315.178
Jordan Mosley23405317.665
Cam Thompson (Tr)27388314.454
Seydou Traore34361110.632

View Mississippi State's Full Roster
Mississippi State's DC Coleman Hutzler
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaac Smith1272003
Jahron Manning (Tr)856103
Nic Mitchell803012
Branden Jennings565242
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nevaeh Sanders (Tr)85520
Zakari Tillman304412
Will Whitson (Tr)204220
Raishein Thomas (Tr)122201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jayven Williams (Tr)292214
Jahron Manning (Tr)856103
Isaac Smith1272003