Tennessee vs. Mississippi State: Shocking Score Prediction That Could Upend the Season

After a blazing start to the season, Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) is gearing up to plunge back into SEC action this Saturday, where the battle lines are drawn against undefeated Mississippi State (4-0). The Volunteers are set to hit the road for this critical Week 5 clash, with kickoff locked in for 4:15 p.m. EDT, broadcasting live on SEC Network. Fresh off a commanding 56-24 triumph over UAB at Neyland Stadium—marking Coach Josh Heupel’s 40th win at the helm since 2021—Tennessee brings momentum and a hunger to prove their mettle in the conference. Heupel’s candid reflections reveal a coach deeply invested in the culture and upward trajectory of his team, underscoring that while the Vols have made considerable strides, the journey to greatness is far from over. With predictive models like ESPN FPI giving Tennessee a solid 73.7 percent edge, and Nolan Analytics backing a 34-21 victory forecast, anticipation is sky-high for what promises to be a showdown packed with intensity and strategic chess moves. This game isn’t just another Saturday fixture—it’s a statement in the making. LEARN MORE

Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) will return to Southeastern Conference play in Week 5. The Vols will travel to Mississippi State (4-0) on Saturday.

Kickoff between the Vols and Bulldogs is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. EDT and will be televised by SEC Network.

Tennessee enters Week 5 after defeating UAB, 56-24, at Neyland Stadium. The win was Josh Heupel’s 40th as the Vols’ head coach since 2021.

“I absolutely love being here,” Heupel said. “Where our fans have been a part of helping us climb, what our staff has done, and certainly what our players have done. It’s fun to be here. The best part of my day is when I walk in there with our guys. It’s a place that doesn’t feel like work.

“It’s a place you love to be and you get a chance to do what you love which is compete, so there’s been a lot of growth in our program, there’s a lot left. This team is a good football team, but we got to continue to get better and we control where we take it.”

Tennessee has a 73.7 percent chance to defeat Mississippi State in Week 5 (ESPN FPI). Nolan Analytics also projects Tennessee to win against the Bulldogs, 34-21, at the beginning of game week.