Sat, Sep 20 2025
·
Week 4
·
🏟 Davis Wade Stadium
Starkville, MS
·
Turf
·
61,337 cap
Northern Illinois✈ 585 miSame TZ
Matchup Prediction
Mississippi State
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Mississippi State entering this game.
Momentum Control
71.6%
Mississippi State wins
Solid
Game Control
76%
Mississippi State wins
Strong
Vegas Spread
Mississippi State -23.5
O/U 48.5
DraftKings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Mississippi State
· 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Northern Illinois 2025 Schedule
Northern Illinois's 2025 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/30 | Northern Illinois vs Holy Cross | -13.5W19–17 | 48.5 | W19–17 | U | N |
| Fri 9/5 | Northern Illinois at Maryland | +17.0L9–20 | 44.5 | L9–20 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/20 | Northern Illinois at Mississippi State | +23.5L10–38 | 48.5 | L10–38 | U | N |
| Sat 9/27 | Northern Illinois vs San Diego State | +1.5L3–6 | 41.5 | L3–6 | U | N |
| Sat 10/4 | Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH) | +4.5L14–25 | 38.5 | L14–25 | O | N |
| Sat 10/11 | Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan | -1.5L10–16 | 48.5 | L10–16 | U | N |
| Sat 10/18 | Northern Illinois at Ohio | +10.5L21–48 | 41.5 | L21–48 | O | N |
| Sat 10/25 | Northern Illinois vs Ball State | -6.5W21–7 | 41.5 | W21–7 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Wed 11/5 | Northern Illinois at Toledo | +14.5L3–42 | 42.5 | L3–42 | O | N |
| Wed 11/12 | Northern Illinois at Massachusetts | -8.5W45–3 | 43.5 | W45–3 | O | Y |
| Tue 11/18 | Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan | +7.0L19–35 | 39.5 | L19–35 | O | N |
| Fri 11/28 | Northern Illinois vs Kent State | -5.0L31–35 | 45.0 | L31–35 | O | N |
Mississippi State 2025 Schedule
Mississippi State's 2025 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/30 | Mississippi State at Southern Miss | -11.5W34–17 | 59.5 | W34–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/6 | Mississippi State vs Arizona State | +6.0W24–20 | 58.5 | W24–20 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/13 | Mississippi State vs Alcorn State | -42.5W63–0 | 56.5 | W63–0 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/20 | Mississippi State vs Northern Illinois | -23.5W38–10 | 48.5 | W38–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/27 | Mississippi State vs Tennessee | +7.5L34–41 | 63.5 | L34–41 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/4 | Mississippi State at Texas A&M | +17.5L9–31 | 57.5 | L9–31 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/18 | Mississippi State at Florida | +9.5L21–23 | 50.5 | L21–23 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/25 | Mississippi State vs Texas | +8.5L38–45 | 48.5 | L38–45 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/1 | Mississippi State at Arkansas | +5.5W38–35 | 66.5 | W38–35 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/8 | Mississippi State vs Georgia | +9.5L21–41 | 56.5 | L21–41 | O | N |
| Sat 11/15 | Mississippi State at Missouri | +7.5L27–49 | 50.5 | L27–49 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Fri 11/28 | Mississippi State vs Ole Miss | +7.5L19–38 | 62.5 | L19–38 | U | N |
| Fri 1/2 | Mississippi State vs Wake Forest | -3.0L29–43 | 52.5 | L29–43 | O | N |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2025 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Mississippi State
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Mississippi State
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Mississippi State
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 · 2025 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?
Mississippi State Edge
Mississippi State +1.50
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 71.6% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Mississippi State Edge
Mississippi State +43.2
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 3 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Mississippi State
3 — 0 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
Mississippi State
70.4 — 12.9 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Mississippi State won by 28
✓ Model called it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Mississippi 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
Northern Illinois
Thomas Hammock #1
31–38 (45%)
· Yr 7 at school
OC
Wesley Beschorner
Yr 2
#1
DC
Nick Benedetto
Yr 3
#1
Mississippi State
Jeff Lebby #1
2–10 (17%)
· Yr 2 at school
OC
Jeff Lebby
Yr 2
#1
DC
Coleman Hutzler
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 ✓