For people that trust technology more than people when it comes to making predictions, this is for you: SP+, a statistical model made by ESPN (subscription required) predicted almost every detail of the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. the Georgia Bulldogs.
SP+ is a model created by ESPN analyst Bill Connelly to predict the outcome of college football games. “SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing,” according to Connelly. “It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is.”
“It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.”
The model has predicted the Georgia will win 43-13 at home vs. Mississippi State. This means that, despite the blowout, Georgia won’t cover the spread of -33.5. Regardless of the score, the model has predicted Georgia has a 97% chance of winning. There are several reasons that Mississippi State could cover against Georgia, and the AI model supports that thinking.