ESPN’S FPI predicts the outcome for Tennessee at Mississippi State
By Jyesha Nance
Published:
The Tennessee Volunteers and Mississippi State Bulldogs will face each other in an SEC matchup this Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi.
For Tennessee, this is their first SEC road test of the 2025 season. Coming off of a home loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, the Volunteers can’t afford a slip-up in Starkville if they’re serious about competing in the tougher half of their schedule.
As for Mississippi State, they are currently on a roll. The Bulldogs have quietly improved under Jeff Lebby, and they’re looking to break their long SEC losing streak. Home-field advantage, the Starkville crowd, and cowbell noise will be in play.
This will be the Volunteers’ first trip to Starkville since 2012 – a rare road visit in the series. The Volunteers lead the all-time series 30-16-1 and beat the Bulldogs last season in Knoxville.
ESPN’S FPI gives the Volunteers a 73.7% chance to win the matchup. In the week-by-week modeling, FPI sees the Volunteers favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points over the Bulldogs. While Tennessee is favored – reliably so – the prediction is not a blowout, according to ESPN.
Kickoff between the Volunteers and Bulldogs is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET and will be televised by SEC Network.
