Sat, Sep 11 2021
·
Week 2
·
🏟 Davis Wade Stadium
Starkville, MS
·
Turf
·
61,337 cap
NC State✈ 594 mi-1 hr TZ
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
NC State 2021 Schedule
NC State's 2021 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 9/2 | NC State vs South Florida | -20.0W45–0 | 58.0 | W45–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/11 | NC State at Mississippi State | -1.5L10–24 | 55.0 | L10–24 | U | N |
| Sat 9/18 | NC State vs Furman | -27.5W45–7 | 45.0 | W45–7 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/25 | NC State vs Clemson | +10.5W27–21 | 46.5 | W27–21 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/2 | NC State vs Louisiana Tech | -18.5W34–27 | 56.0 | W34–27 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/16 | NC State at Boston College | -3.0W33–7 | 51.0 | W33–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/23 | NC State at Miami | -3.5L30–31 | 54.5 | L30–31 | O | N |
| Sat 10/30 | NC State vs Louisville | -6.0W28–13 | 57.0 | W28–13 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/6 | NC State at Florida State | -3.0W28–14 | 55.0 | W28–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/13 | NC State at Wake Forest | +1.0L42–45 | 65.0 | L42–45 | O | N |
| Sat 11/20 | NC State vs Syracuse | -11.0W41–17 | 49.5 | W41–17 | O | Y |
| Fri 11/26 | NC State vs North Carolina | -6.5W34–30 | 62.0 | W34–30 | O | N |
| Tue 12/28 | NC State vs UCLA | -2.0 | 60.0 | — | — | — |
Mississippi State 2021 Schedule
Mississippi State's 2021 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/4 | Mississippi State vs Louisiana Tech | -20.5W35–34 | 52.5 | W35–34 | O | N |
| Sat 9/11 | Mississippi State vs NC State | +1.5W24–10 | 55.0 | W24–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/18 | Mississippi State at Memphis | -3.0L29–31 | 63.0 | L29–31 | U | N |
| Sat 9/25 | Mississippi State vs LSU | +1.5L25–28 | 54.5 | L25–28 | U | N |
| Sat 10/2 | Mississippi State at Texas A&M | +7.0W26–22 | 45.5 | W26–22 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/16 | Mississippi State vs Alabama | +17.5L9–49 | 59.5 | L9–49 | U | N |
| Sat 10/23 | Mississippi State at Vanderbilt | -21.0W45–6 | 53.0 | W45–6 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/30 | Mississippi State vs Kentucky | -1.0W31–17 | 47.0 | W31–17 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/6 | Mississippi State at Arkansas | +4.0L28–31 | 54.0 | L28–31 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/13 | Mississippi State at Auburn | +6.0W43–34 | 51.0 | W43–34 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/20 | Mississippi State vs Tennessee State | -44.0W55–10 | 56.5 | W55–10 | O | Y |
| Thu 11/25 | Mississippi State vs Ole Miss | -2.5L21–31 | 65.0 | L21–31 | U | N |
| Tue 12/28 | Mississippi State vs Texas Tech | -10.0L7–34 | 58.5 | L7–34 | U | N |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2021 season
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
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
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
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
NC State Edge
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
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
Mississippi State
Mike Leach #1
6–8 (43%)
· Yr 2 at school
OC
Mike Leach
Yr 1
#1
DC
Zach Arnett
Yr 1
#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 ✓
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 ✓

