Michigan State at Miami Week 3 College Football Matchup Michigan State at Miami Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 18 2021 · Week 3 · 🏟 Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, FL · Turf · 65,326 cap
Michigan State✈ 1,183 miSame TZ
38 17
Final
Home
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Michigan State
28
MSU +7
Miami
30
P&R Line Miami -2
P&R Total O/U 58.5
Confidence 75 Good
Vegas Miami -7 · O/U 57.5
Matchup Prediction
Michigan State has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Michigan State entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Michigan State wins
Lean
Game Control
75.9%
Michigan State wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
Miami -7
O/U 57.5
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
Advanced factors are split · No strong agreement signal
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Miami 3rd straight Home Game
Michigan State 2021 Schedule
Michigan State's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/3Michigan State at Northwestern+3.0W38–2145.5W38–21OY
Sat 9/11Michigan State vs Youngstown State-28.5W42–1452.0W42–14ON
Sat 9/18Michigan State at Miami+7.0W38–1757.5W38–17UY
Sat 9/25Michigan State vs Nebraska-3.5W23–2055.0W23–20UN
Sat 10/2Michigan State vs Western Kentucky-10.5W48–3166.5W48–31OY
Sat 10/9Michigan State at Rutgers-4.5W31–1350.0W31–13UY
Sat 10/16Michigan State at Indiana-3.5W20–1548.5W20–15UY
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/30Michigan State vs Michigan+4.0W37–3350.5W37–33OY
Sat 11/6Michigan State at Purdue-2.5L29–4053.0L29–40ON
Sat 11/13Michigan State vs Maryland-11.5W40–2160.0W40–21OY
Sat 11/20Michigan State at Ohio State+19.5L7–5670.5L7–56UN
Sat 11/27Michigan State vs Penn State+3.5W30–2751.5W30–27OY
Thu 12/30Michigan State vs Pittsburgh-3.5W31–2155.0W31–21UY
Miami 2021 Schedule
Miami's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Miami vs Alabama+19.5L13–4461.5L13–44UN
Sat 9/11Miami vs App State-7.5W25–2355.0W25–23UN
Sat 9/18Miami vs Michigan State-7.0L17–3857.5L17–38UN
Sat 9/25Miami vs Central Connecticut-46.0W69–055.5W69–0OY
Thu 9/30Miami vs Virginia-3.5L28–3063.5L28–30UN
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/16Miami at North Carolina+7.5L42–4563.5L42–45OY
Sat 10/23Miami vs NC State+3.5W31–3054.5W31–30OY
Sat 10/30Miami at Pittsburgh+9.5W38–3461.0W38–34OY
Sat 11/6Miami vs Georgia Tech-10.0W33–3063.0W33–30UN
Sat 11/13Miami at Florida State-2.5L28–3161.5L28–31UN
Sat 11/20Miami vs Virginia Tech-7.0W38–2655.5W38–26OY
Sat 11/27Miami at Duke-20.5W47–1067.0W47–10UY
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2021 season
Michigan 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
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Michigan State
+0.486
Miami
+0.421
Michigan State Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Michigan State
+0.650
Miami
+0.681
Miami Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Michigan State
0.166
Miami
0.184
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Miami Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Michigan State
+8.190
Miami
+7.574
Michigan State Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Michigan State
+0.839
Miami
+0.858
Miami Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Michigan State
70.7
Miami
72.3
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Michigan 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
Miami Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Michigan State
-1.7
Miami
24.1
Offense Rating
Michigan State
15.8
Miami
27.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Michigan State
17.4
Miami
2.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Michigan State Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Michigan State #78
1.00
Miami #59
0.50
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Michigan State #100
0.00
Miami #102
2.50
Michigan State +0.50
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Michigan State Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Michigan State #1
96.1
Miami #1
31.8
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Michigan State #44
2.8
Miami #58
57.9
Michigan State +64.2
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on Michigan 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
Michigan State
Mel Tucker #1
5–5 (50%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Jay Johnson Yr 1 #1
DC Scottie Hazelton Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Miami
Manny Diaz #1
15–12 (56%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Rhett Lashlee Yr 1 #1
DC Manny Diaz 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