A paving machine includes a plurality of sensor(s) for generating sensor data associated with a paving operation. Criteria associated with paving mat defects are compared against the sensor data to determine whether the criteria is satisfied and whether paving mat defects are predicted. For example, criteria may include whether a hopper of the paving machine is activated, whether a screed assembly of the paving machine is floating, a speed of the paving machine, and whether heat is applied to the screed assembly. In instances where defects are predicted, notifications of such may be provided, or displayed, on a control interface of the paving machine.