Sat, Sep 18 2021
·
Week 3
·
🏟 Falcon Stadium
Colorado Springs, CO
·
Turf
·
46,692 cap
Utah State✈ 413 miSame TZ
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors Utah State,
while Game Control favors Air Force.
Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
73.7%
Utah State wins
Solid
Game Control
76%
Air Force wins
Strong
Vegas Spread
Air Force -9
O/U 54.0
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Air Force
· 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Utah State 2021 Schedule
Utah State's 2021 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/4 | Utah State at Washington State | +17.5W26–23 | 66.5 | W26–23 | U | Y |
| Fri 9/10 | Utah State vs North Dakota | -6.5W48–24 | 53.5 | W48–24 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/18 | Utah State at Air Force | +9.0W49–45 | 54.0 | W49–45 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/25 | Utah State vs Boise State | +9.5L3–27 | 69.5 | L3–27 | U | N |
| Fri 10/1 | Utah State vs BYU | +9.0L20–34 | 66.0 | L20–34 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/16 | Utah State at UNLV | -7.5W28–24 | 64.0 | W28–24 | U | N |
| Fri 10/22 | Utah State vs Colorado State | +3.0W26–24 | 58.5 | W26–24 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/30 | Utah State vs Hawai'i | -3.5W51–31 | 66.0 | W51–31 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/6 | Utah State at New Mexico State | -18.0W35–13 | 72.0 | W35–13 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/13 | Utah State at San José State | +4.5W48–17 | 58.0 | W48–17 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/20 | Utah State vs Wyoming | -6.0L17–44 | 52.0 | L17–44 | O | N |
| Fri 11/26 | Utah State at New Mexico | -17.0W35–10 | 48.0 | W35–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 12/4 | Utah State at San Diego State | +6.5W46–13 | 49.5 | W46–13 | O | Y |
| Sat 12/18 | Utah State vs Oregon State | +7.0W24–13 | 68.0 | W24–13 | U | Y |
Air Force 2021 Schedule
Air Force's 2021 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/4 | Air Force vs Lafayette | -40.5W35–14 | 49.5 | W35–14 | U | N |
| Sat 9/11 | Air Force at Navy | -6.0W23–3 | 40.0 | W23–3 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/18 | Air Force vs Utah State | -9.0L45–49 | 54.0 | L45–49 | O | N |
| Sat 9/25 | Air Force vs Florida Atlantic | -3.5W31–7 | 54.0 | W31–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/2 | Air Force at New Mexico | -11.5W38–10 | 46.0 | W38–10 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/9 | Air Force vs Wyoming | -5.5W24–14 | 46.5 | W24–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/16 | Air Force at Boise State | +3.0W24–17 | 52.0 | W24–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/23 | Air Force vs San Diego State | -3.0L14–20 | 38.5 | L14–20 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/6 | Air Force vs Army | -2.5L14–21 | 37.5 | L14–21 | U | N |
| Sat 11/13 | Air Force at Colorado State | -3.0W35–21 | 45.0 | W35–21 | O | Y |
| Fri 11/19 | Air Force at Nevada | -1.5W41–39 | 53.5 | W41–39 | O | Y |
| Fri 11/26 | Air Force vs UNLV | -18.5W48–14 | 49.5 | W48–14 | O | Y |
| Tue 12/28 | Air Force vs Louisville | -1.0W31–28 | 55.0 | W31–28 | O | Y |
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
All 4 Agree
→ Air Force
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Air Force
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Air Force
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?
Utah State Edge
Utah 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?
Air Force Edge
Air Force +49.4
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Utah State
2 — 3 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
Air Force
77.8 — 13.5 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Utah State won by 4
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
CSS and GC disagree on this matchup. When the metrics split, historical cover rates are essentially random — treat this as a coin flip against the spread.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Utah State
Blake Anderson #1
3–0 (100%)
· Yr 1 at school
OC
Anthony Tucker
Yr 1
#1
DC
Ephraim Banda
Yr 1
#1
Air Force
Troy Calhoun #1
104–73 (59%)
· Yr 15 at school
OC
Mike Thiessen
Yr 1
#1
DC
John Rudzinski
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 ✓

