Tennessee at Mississippi State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Tennessee logo (#15)Tennessee Volunteers at Mississippi State BulldogsMississippi State logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Davis Wade Stadium - Starkville, MS  (SEC)

 
Volunteers (2 - 1) (3 - 0 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (37 - 14)
Avg Score : 53 - 29 (53 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#37)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 4) (Good: 3) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
MSST 4th straight Home Game
MSST is playing their 5th straight game
TENN is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Tennessee -5.5   (SP+ TENN -13)

Projected Score: TENN: 37 - MSST: 31 (68)
TENN Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
TENN Travel: 326 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Bulldogs (3 - 0) (3 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jeff Lebby (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 40 - 12 (44 - 10 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.4 - 5.6 (#76)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 7) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
 
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-39.569.5
Sat 9/27 Tennessee at Mississippi State-5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Tennessee vs Arkansas-9
Sat 10/18 Tennessee at Alabama+9
Sat 10/25 Tennessee at Kentucky-11
Sat 11/1 Tennessee vs Oklahoma+1.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Tennessee vs New Mexico State-39.5
Sat 11/22 Tennessee at Florida-2.5
Sat 11/29 Tennessee vs Vanderbilt-7

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 3, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
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-21.549.5
Sat 9/27 Mississippi State vs Tennessee+5.5
Sat 10/4 Mississippi State at Texas A&M+11
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Mississippi State at Florida+5.5
Sat 10/25 Mississippi State vs Texas+7
Sat 11/1 Mississippi State at Arkansas+4
Sat 11/8 Mississippi State vs Georgia+9.5
Sat 11/15 Mississippi State at Missouri+12
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/29 Mississippi State vs Ole Miss+6

Total: Elite: 7, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 7, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, 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#17 (.43)53% (22)52.751% (35)3.07 (61)21654% (21)3595.22 (26)#73 (.14)43% (89)2947% (102)39% (62)5.13 (124)6411.3
MSST#26 (.36)50% (33)40.356% (18)3.14 (53)17944% (62)2634.94 (33)#32 (.02)38% (57)12.343% (87)32% (29)3.4 (65)84.70.72
 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 Offense352.752.752.6%5.221295742163595.449%51%51%54%8%.43
MSST Defense312.31037.7%3.42 - - - - - 58%42%43%32%18%.02
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TENN Defense3292942.6%5.131.3 - - - - - 51%49%47%39%17%.14
MSST Offense340.343.549.7%4.940.721441179263550%50%56%44%15%.36

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
Tennessee327:2028.758%0%7.76411.364030
Mississippi State323:052155%50%1084.70.7251.3034.5
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 Offense349% (76)51% (35)40215.75.48 (26).26 (38)3.07 (61)76% (51)4% (5)0.94 (73)
MSST Defense358% (119)43% (87) - - - - -.02 (41)3.03 (93)58% (32)9% (79)0.75 (25)
 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 Defense351% (84)47% (102) - - - - .06 (67)2.69 (58)79% (106)10% (76)0.64 (7)
MSST Offense350% (74)56% (18)36178.759 (17).26 (36)3.14 (53)57% (114)7% (32)0.95 (72)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TENN Offense351% (58)54% (21)2638.7358.79.313.811 (5)2 (60).6 (15)1.6 (47)26% (27)33% (62).58 (28)4% (45)2.5 (15)
MSST Defense342% (18)32% (29) - - - - - - 4 (12).09 (34)1.5 (63)32% (84)21% (30).07 (27)9% (16)2 (66)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TENN Defense349% (61)39% (62) - - - - - - 2 (56).23 (74)1.6 (80)28% (114)16% (17).17 (44)8% (30)3 (136)
MSST Offense350% (64)44% (62)19.729.3262.7913.47 (23)2 (60).46 (33)1.8 (13)29% (59)38% (33).72 (16)8% (120)2.7 (4)

Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 23.58 #20
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 27.17 #11
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 3.59 #48
2025 Talent Rating: 910.00 #20
Blue Chip Ratio: 53% #10
Tennessee's 2025 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Tennessee's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 21.8 #6
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 36.8 #12
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 15.2 #10

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Tennessee: 23.58   Mississippi State: 17.145

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Tennessee: 21.8   Mississippi State: 8.7




Mississippi State's Power Ratings
Mississippi State's Power Rating: 17.145 #28
Mississippi State's Offense Rating: 23.00 #26
Mississippi State's Defense Rating: 2.41 #40
2025 Talent Rating: 844.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 19 #27
Mississippi State's 2025 Expected Record: 6.4 - 5.6
Mississippi State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.7 #45
Mississippi State's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.9 #37
Mississippi State's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.4 #48

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 52.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 52.7
Defense: 29 PPG
Defense on Road: 29

Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 37
Mississippi State 31


Total Points: 68

Mississippi State Scoring
Offense: 40.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 43.5
Defense: 12.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 10

Mississippi State's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 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

(#20) Tennessee Info
Power Rating: 23.58 #20
Offense Rating: 27.17 #11
Defense Rating: 3.59 #48
Overall SP+ Rating: 21.8 #6
Offense SP+ Rating: 36.8 #12
Defense SP+ Rating: 15.2 #10
Talent Rating: 910.00 #20
Blue Chip Ratio: 53% #10
Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 49%
Great Offense Success Rate of 53%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 5.22 PPO
Good Run Success 51%
Great Pass Success 54%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 43%
Awful in Scoring Position 5.13 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 47%
Avg Pass Def Success 39%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Tennessee has lost 2 straight
Record on Road: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

Tennessee Notes
(9/15) Aguliar has been good, WR Brazzell a great one
(9/1) Starting CB McCoy out early season (ACL rec)
(9/1) Starting CB R Gibson out until Oct (arm inj)
(8/30) 500+ yds vs Cuse, Aguilar good on deep shots
(8/17) QB1 Aguliar (App St) wins battle for starter
(7/25) TE Kitselman a top TE, but injured in spring
(7/25) CB duo McCoy/Gibson great, is McCoy healthy?
(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)

Tennessee Highlights
Tennessee is Undefeated vs Spread

Tennessee has Really Good Running Game (#21)
Tennessee offense is efficent (#22)
Tennessee offense is good in red zone (#26)
Tennessee offense is good on 3rd downs
Tennessee Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Tennessee defense does not give up big plays (#18)
Tennessee Secondary is very good (#30)

Tennessee Deficiencies
Tennessee Commits a Lot of Penalties (#109)
Tennessee Does Not Stuff Runs (#111)
Tennessee has a bad red zone defense (#124)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatMSSTTENN
OverallOver#38#13
OffenseOff#46#13
DefenseDef#38#40
Special TeamsST#84#52
PassingPass#28#7
RushingRush#13#10
Run BlockRBLK#79#64
Pass BlockPBLK#46#35
Route RunningWR Rt#65#10
TacklingTkl#39#35
Run DefenseR Def#36#55
Pass Rush DefPRush#75#7
Coverage DefCov#20#67

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
(#28) Mississippi State Info
Power Rating: 17.145 #28
Offense Rating: 23.00 #26
Defense Rating: 2.41 #40
Overall SP+ Rating: 8.7 #45
Offense SP+ Rating: 31.9 #37
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.4 #48
Talent Rating: 844.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 19 #27
Expected Record: 6.4 - 5.6

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 50%
Good Offense Success Rate of 50%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.94 PPO
Great Run Success 56%
Avg Pass Success 44%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 38%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.4 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 43%
Good Pass Def Success 32%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Mississippi State has lost 1 straight
Mississippi State has lost 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (2 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Mississippi State Notes
(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
(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

Mississippi State Highlights
Mississippi State is Undefeated vs Spread
Mississippi State in Undefeated
Mississippi State is Undefeated at Home
Mississippi State is Undefeated vs Spread at Home
Mississippi State is Undefeated vs Spread as Home Underdogs

Mississippi State offense is good on 3rd downs
Mississippi State defense does not give up big plays (#13)
Mississippi State has a good pass defense (#29)
Mississippi State Secondary is very good (#16)
Mississippi State has a great TO Margin (#28)
Mississippi State defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#12)

Mississippi State Deficiencies
Mississippi State Commits a Lot of Penalties (#133)


  
Tennessee's OC Joey Halzle
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Joey Aguilar (Tr)639566%906929.5
Jake Merklinger91464%118208.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Star Thomas (Tr)3322136.727
DeSean Bishop2920417.050
Peyton Lewis217623.68
Daune Morris115014.510
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Brazzell II20364518.272
Braylon Staley18231212.873
Mike Matthews13199115.353
Miles Kitselman87919.918

View Tennessee's Full Roster
Tennessee's DC Tim Banks
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Arion Carter262100
Jalen Mcmurray171101
Andre Turrentine150000
Edrees Farooq140002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joshua Josephs123201
Caleb Herring54210
Tyre West101110
Charles House III22100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Colton Hood (Tr)110005
Ty Redmond90003
Edrees Farooq140002

Mississippi State's OC Jeff Lebby
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Blake Shapen558168%722628.9
Luke Kromenhoek (Tr)2450%20005.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Fluff Bothwell (Tr)3017045.725
Davon Booth2712614.716
Xavier Gayten450112.525
Johnnie Daniels94404.913
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brenen Thompson (Tr)15278318.558
Anthony Evans III (Tr)17210212.448
Jordan Mosley394131.375
Seydou Traore577115.455

View Mississippi State's Full Roster
Mississippi State's DC Coleman Hutzler
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaac Smith180001
Nic Mitchell180000
Derion Gullette (Tr)160000
Jahron Manning (Tr)140001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Will Whitson (Tr)85200
Deonte Anderson51100
Darron Reed Jr. (Tr)51111
Joseph Head Jr.30000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kelley Jones90003
DeAgo Brumfeld81003
Isaac Smith180001