Tennessee at Mississippi State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Tennessee logo (#15)Tennessee Volunteers at Mississippi State BulldogsMississippi State logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (4:15 PM EDT)
Tennessee -7.5 (63.5) (-290)  Open: -10.0
Tennessee 41 - Mississippi State: 34  (SEC)

 
Volunteers (8 - 5) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (37 - 14)
Avg Score : 40 - 29 (37 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 5 (#54)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 3) (Good: 3) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
MSST 4th straight Home Game
MSST is playing their 5th straight game
TENN is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Tennessee -9.5  (SP+ TENN -11.5)

Projected Score: TENN: 34 - MSST: 25 (59)
TENN Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
TENN Travel: 326 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Bulldogs (5 - 7) (8 - 4 - 0)
Coach Jeff Lebby (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 31 - 29 (34 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.5 - 7.5 (#83)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
Tennessee's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Tennessee vs Syracuse-13.553.5W 45 - 26OY
Sat 9/6 Tennessee vs East Tennessee State-39.558.5W 72 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 Tennessee vs Georgia+3.550.5L 41 - 44OY
Sat 9/20 Tennessee vs UAB-39.569.5W 56 - 24ON
Sat 9/27 Tennessee at Mississippi State-7.563.5W 41 - 34ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Tennessee vs Arkansas-10.068.5W 34 - 31UN
Sat 10/18 Tennessee at Alabama+8.560.5L 20 - 37UN
Sat 10/25 Tennessee at Kentucky-7.555.5W 56 - 34OY
Sat 11/1 Tennessee vs Oklahoma-3.055.5L 27 - 33ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Tennessee vs New Mexico State-41.559.5W 42 - 9UN
Sat 11/22 Tennessee at Florida-3.557.5W 31 - 11UY
Sat 11/29 Tennessee vs Vanderbilt-2.066.5L 24 - 45ON
Tue 12/30 Tennessee vs Illinois-3.062.5L 28 - 30UN

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Tennessee's Schedule
Mississippi State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Mississippi State at Southern Miss-11.559.5W 34 - 17UY
Sat 9/6 Mississippi State vs Arizona State+6.058.5W 24 - 20UY
Sat 9/13 Mississippi State vs Alcorn State-42.556.5W 63 - 0OY
Sat 9/20 Mississippi State vs Northern Illinois-23.548.5W 38 - 10UY
Sat 9/27 Mississippi State vs Tennessee+7.563.5L 34 - 41OY
Sat 10/4 Mississippi State at Texas A&M+17.557.5L 9 - 31UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Mississippi State at Florida+9.550.5L 21 - 23UY
Sat 10/25 Mississippi State vs Texas+8.548.5L 38 - 45OY
Sat 11/1 Mississippi State at Arkansas+5.566.5W 38 - 35OY
Sat 11/8 Mississippi State vs Georgia+9.556.5L 21 - 41ON
Sat 11/15 Mississippi State at Missouri+7.550.5L 27 - 49ON
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/28 Mississippi State vs Ole Miss+7.562.5L 19 - 38UN
Fri 1/2 Mississippi State vs Wake Forest-3.053.5

Total: Elite: 6, Good: 3, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Mississippi State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#7 (.34)51% (6)39.852% (4)3.04 (52)16450% (9)2844.66 (11)#68 (.16)44% (97)28.846% (111)41% (67)4.16 (115)51.31.11.5
MSST#86 (.15)42% (73)30.545% (54)2.82 (92)16139% (99)2374.49 (19)#104 (.21)44% (103)29.248% (124)41% (60)3.64 (66)61.81.31.4
 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)48% (23)3.4 (13)22747% (19)2214.02 (55)#13 (.07)38% (17)36% (9)39% (48)3.03 (10)66.81.21.6
MSST#78 (.17)39% (109)40% (105)2.9 (93)13938% (104)2393.75 (86)#130 (.32)50% (133)47% (108)55% (134)4.32 (113)60.31.50.9



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TENN Offense1339.83751%4.661.1244481642844.749%49%52%50%12%.34
MSST Defense1229.227.944.2%3.641.4 - - - - - 53%45%48%41%14%.21
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TENN Defense1328.82943.7%4.161.5 - - - - - 50%49%46%41%19%.16
MSST Offense1230.533.941.9%4.491.3223981612373.853%46%45%39%18%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Tennessee1325:3023.850%73%5.851.31.11.56.22.6328.4
Mississippi State1228:4221.844%48%7.361.81.31.44.51.7028.8
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 Offense1349% (71)52% (4)34.9164.14.732 (16).26 (10)3.04 (52)84% (3)7% (18)0.95 (74)
MSST Defense1253% (105)48% (124) - - - - .16 (99)3.42 (135)74% (94)8% (120)0.89 (32)
 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 Defense1350% (71)46% (111) - - - - .09 (65)2.81 (56)81% (123)12% (12)0.85 (16)
MSST Offense1253% (40)45% (54)42.3161.43.828 (16).12 (64)2.82 (92)71% (72)12% (125)0.97 (65)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TENN Offense1349% (67)50% (9)21.432.2283.58.813.326 (14)10 (88).43 (18)1.6 (57)26% (15)35% (22).48 (15)5% (33)2.2 (11)
MSST Defense1245% (31)41% (60) - - - - - - 12 (6).28 (83)1.7 (114)29% (104)30% (74).33 (88)6% (64)2.2 (126)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TENN Defense1349% (80)41% (67) - - - - - - 10 (75).23 (59)1.6 (67)31% (70)27% (29).26 (58)7% (46)2.2 (124)
MSST Offense1246% (91)39% (99)18.930.32377.812.519 (75)9 (60).2 (95)1.7 (16)34% (115)30% (70).35 (51)7% (94)2.3 (7)

Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 21.08  #15
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 27.97  #5
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 6.89  #59
2025 Talent Rating: 910.00  #20
Blue Chip Ratio: 53%  #10
Tennessee's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0
Tennessee's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.2  #21
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.3  #5
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.6  #61

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Tennessee: 21.08   Mississippi State: 8.505

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Tennessee: 15.2   Mississippi State: 3.8




Mississippi State's Power Ratings
Mississippi State's Power Rating: 8.505  #48
Mississippi State's Offense Rating: 15.96  #34
Mississippi State's Defense Rating: 7.75  #67
2025 Talent Rating: 844.00  #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 19  #27
Mississippi State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.5 - 7.5
Mississippi State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 3.8  #58
Mississippi State's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.9  #42
Mississippi State's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.6  #76

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 39.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 37
Defense: 28.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 29

Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
Record on Road: 3 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 7 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 34
Mississippi State 25


Total Points: 59

Based on Last 4 Games
Mississippi State 28
Tennessee 18

Total Points: 45

Based on Entire Season
Tennessee 34
Mississippi State 31

Total Points: 65
Mississippi State Scoring
Offense: 30.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 33.9
Defense: 29.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.9

Mississippi State's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record at home: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/27Mississippi State34Tennessee41Tennessee -7.5Mississippi State63.5Over
202411/09Tennessee33Mississippi State14Tennessee -26.5Mississippi State61.5Under
201910/12Tennessee20Mississippi State10Mississippi State -5Tennessee52.5Under
201210/13Mississippi State41Tennessee31
200810/18Tennessee34Mississippi State3
200710/13Mississippi State21Tennessee33
200311/15Tennessee59Mississippi State21
200211/16Mississippi State17Tennessee35
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Mississippi State121 Overs
Tennessee712 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 32 - 10 - 12 - 0
Road Teams3 - 51 - 20 - 21 - 0

(#15) TENN at (#48) MSST
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatTENNMSST
Power RatePwr #15 #48
SP+SP+ #21 #58
Perf GradeGrade #17 #102
OffenseOff #17 #94
DefenseDef #35 #105
Spec TeamsST #53 #84
TalentTal #20 #40
Blue ChipsBC% #10 #27
Tennessee Notes
(12/30) 0-5 vs winning teams, 8 wins vs teams (27-57)
(12/10) Hiring DC Jim Knowles (PSU/OSU). Good hire?
(12/8) Fired DC Tim Banks after 3 years, Def awful in '25
(11/30) Outrushed by Vandy 314-83. Vols Def fell off a cliff
(11/30) Zero wins vs teams w/ a winning record in '25
(11/16) CB Boo Carter no longer with team. Again.
(10/30) Vols have beaten 3 SEC teams all w/ 0 wins
(10/20) Mistakes killed vs Bama, 10 flags, pick six, safety
(10/20) OG'd Bama, Rush Off good, tackling was nightmare
(9/15) Great perf vs UGA, brutal loss. Off brilliant
(9/15) Aguliar has been good, WR Brazzell a great one
(9/1) Starting CB McCoy out early season (ACL rec)
Tennessee Injury Report
Mississippi State Notes
(12/6) DC Coleman Hutzler fired after 2 seasons
(11/16) Run Def is awful. 300+ to Mizzu. Rebs will run wild
(10/23) Now 1-12 vs P4 teams since start of '24
(9/29) RT Albert Reese IV inj vs Tenn, ? for A&M
(9/26) Hot start, huge W vs ASU. Shapen looks sharp so far
(9/8) Starting DE Will Whitson out for season, big
(8/30) Shapen good, Run Off better, Def better
(5/23) WR huge ? Top 6 are portals? 4 best LY left
(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
Mississippi State Injury Report
Tennessee on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffMSST Def
Perf GradePerf #17 #105
SuccessSuc #6 #103
ExplosiveExp #52 #60
PPAPPA #7 #104
PowerPwr #5 #67
SP+SP+ #5 #76
Pts POPPO #11 #66
HavocHav #17 #107
Tennessee Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffMSST Def
Run GameRun #12 #85
Run SuccessRSuc #4 #124
Run ExplRExp #74 #32
PPAExp #10 #99
Run BlockR Blk #83 -
OL YdsOLY #52 #135
Stuff RateStuff #15 #124
TackleTak -  #95
Tennessee Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffMSST Def
Pass GamePass #3 #79
Pass SuccessPSuc #9 #60
Pass ExplPExl #57 #114
PPAExp #18 #83
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #34 #127
F7 HavocF7 #18 #120
DB HavocDB #33 #64
Mississippi State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatMSST OffTENN Def
Perf GradePerf #94 #35
SuccessSuc #73 #97
ExplosiveExp #43 #25
PPAPPA #86 #68
PowerPwr #34 #59
SP+SP+ #42 #61
Pts POPPO #19 #115
HavocHav #120 #18
Mississippi State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
MSST OffTENN Def
Run GameRun #74 #47
Run SuccessRSuc #54 #111
Run ExplRExp #65 #16
PPAExp #64 #65
Run BlockR Blk #107 -
OL YdsOLY #92 #56
Stuff RateStuff #79 #39
TackleTak -  #63
Mississippi State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatMSST OffTENN Def
Pass GamePass #54 #46
Pass SuccessPSuc #99 #67
Pass ExplPExl #16 #67
PPAExp #95 #59
Pass Block/RushP Blk #80 #24
F7 HavocF7 #125 #12
DB HavocDB #94 #46
Program Comparison
MSST 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

TENN 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'25 Profile: Down to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Davis Wade Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 84°
Rematch from Week 5
Tennessee 7.5 (63.5)
Tennessee won at Mississippi State this year (41-34)

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

  
TENN's OC Joey Halzle (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Joey Aguilar (Tr)25838667%344424108.9
Jake Merklinger132454%173207.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DeSean Bishop163983146.050
Star Thomas (Tr)9552975.652
Peyton Lewis7029074.132
Daune Morris3513313.819
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Brazzell II621017916.472
Braylon Staley64806612.673
Mike Matthews50770415.462
Ethan Davis21257212.240

View Tennessee's Full Roster

TENN's DC Tim Banks (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Arion Carter756221
Edwin Spillman744332
Jeremiah Telander716120
Edrees Farooq710002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominic Bailey257530
Tyre West227411
Caleb Herring156452
Daevin Hobbs283322
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Redmond391009
Colton Hood (Tr)505008
Jalen Mcmurray546223

MSST's OC Jeff Lebby (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Blake Shapen19530464%24361588.0
Kamario Taylor305555%388417.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Fluff Bothwell (Tr)12863965.043
Davon Booth13655274.122
Kamario Taylor6439576.239
Xavier Gayten2414926.225
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brenen Thompson (Tr)53948617.958
Anthony Evans III (Tr)63751411.957
Seydou Traore34361510.655
Ayden Williams (Tr)19222011.749

View Mississippi State's Full Roster

MSST's DC Coleman Hutzler (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jahron Manning (Tr)853004
Nic Mitchell725320
Brylan Lanier653102
Isaac Smith641103
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nic Mitchell725320
Darron Reed Jr. (Tr)212231
Will Whitson (Tr)85200
Kalvin Dinkins253200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kelley Jones3000011
Jahron Manning (Tr)853004
DeAgo Brumfeld331014