NC State at Mississippi State Week 2 College Football Matchup NC State at Mississippi State Matchup - Week 2
Sat, Sep 11 2021 · Week 2 · 🏟 Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS · Turf · 61,337 cap
NC State✈ 594 mi-1 hr TZ
Away
10 24
Final
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
NC State
29
Mississippi State
26
P&R Line NC State -3
P&R Total O/U 54.5
Confidence 90 High
Vegas NC State -1.5 · O/U 55.0
Matchup Prediction
NC State has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor NC State entering this game.
Momentum Control
73.7%
NC State wins
Solid
Game Control
75.9%
NC State wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
NC State -1.5
O/U 55.0
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
3 factors agree (PPA + PPO + Havoc) → NC State · 82.4% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Mississippi State 2nd straight Home Game
NC State 2021 Schedule
NC State's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/2NC State vs South Florida-20.0W45–058.0W45–0UY
Sat 9/11NC State at Mississippi State-1.5L10–2455.0L10–24UN
Sat 9/18NC State vs Furman-27.5W45–745.0W45–7OY
Sat 9/25NC State vs Clemson+10.5W27–2146.5W27–21OY
Sat 10/2NC State vs Louisiana Tech-18.5W34–2756.0W34–27ON
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/16NC State at Boston College-3.0W33–751.0W33–7UY
Sat 10/23NC State at Miami-3.5L30–3154.5L30–31ON
Sat 10/30NC State vs Louisville-6.0W28–1357.0W28–13UY
Sat 11/6NC State at Florida State-3.0W28–1455.0W28–14UY
Sat 11/13NC State at Wake Forest+1.0L42–4565.0L42–45ON
Sat 11/20NC State vs Syracuse-11.0W41–1749.5W41–17OY
Fri 11/26NC State vs North Carolina-6.5W34–3062.0W34–30ON
Tue 12/28NC State vs UCLA-2.060.0
Mississippi State 2021 Schedule
Mississippi State's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Mississippi State vs Louisiana Tech-20.5W35–3452.5W35–34ON
Sat 9/11Mississippi State vs NC State+1.5W24–1055.0W24–10UY
Sat 9/18Mississippi State at Memphis-3.0L29–3163.0L29–31UN
Sat 9/25Mississippi State vs LSU+1.5L25–2854.5L25–28UN
Sat 10/2Mississippi State at Texas A&M+7.0W26–2245.5W26–22OY
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/16Mississippi State vs Alabama+17.5L9–4959.5L9–49UN
Sat 10/23Mississippi State at Vanderbilt-21.0W45–653.0W45–6UY
Sat 10/30Mississippi State vs Kentucky-1.0W31–1747.0W31–17OY
Sat 11/6Mississippi State at Arkansas+4.0L28–3154.0L28–31OY
Sat 11/13Mississippi State at Auburn+6.0W43–3451.0W43–34OY
Sat 11/20Mississippi State vs Tennessee State-44.0W55–1056.5W55–10OY
Thu 11/25Mississippi State vs Ole Miss-2.5L21–3165.0L21–31UN
Tue 12/28Mississippi State vs Texas Tech-10.0L7–3458.5L7–34UN
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2021 season
NC State PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ NC State
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
NC State
+0.417
Mississippi State
+0.314
NC State Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
NC State
+0.622
Mississippi State
+0.438
NC State Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
NC State
0.190
Mississippi State
0.155
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
NC State Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
NC State
+8.181
Mississippi State
+7.657
NC State Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
NC State
+0.807
Mississippi State
+0.837
Mississippi State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
NC State
69.8
Mississippi State
70.3
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
NC State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2021 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
NC State Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
NC State
6.6
Mississippi State
-2.1
Offense Rating
NC State
18.2
Mississippi State
14.2
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
NC State
11.6
Mississippi State
16.3
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? NC State Edge
Avg sequences created per game
NC State #115
3.00
Mississippi State #23
2.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
NC State #5
0.00
Mississippi State #62
1.00
NC State +1.00
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 73.7% of games historically
Based on 1 game this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? NC State Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
NC State #1
97.2
Mississippi State #1
45.4
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
NC State #30
1.0
Mississippi State #73
33.9
NC State +51.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 1 game this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on NC State with a large edge. Historically, dominant teams like this are fully priced into the spread — the agreed-upon team covers just 50.2% of the time. The metrics predict game control better than they beat the number.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
NC State
Dave Doeren #1
57–47 (55%) · Yr 9 at school
OC Tim Beck* Yr 1 #1
DC Tony Gibson Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Mississippi State
Mike Leach #1
6–8 (43%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Mike Leach Yr 1 #1
DC Zach Arnett Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself