1. A system comprising: a coupler configured to be positioned between adjacent cars of a powered system, the coupler configured to be positioned in a slack state that includes one of a stretched slack state or a bunched slack state based upon separation of the adjacent cars: and a controller configured to be positioned within the powered system and to determine a mismatch of a model of the slack state for the coupler of the powered system and actual behavior of the powered system during actual movement of the powered system, the mismatch based on at least one of a speed of the powered system, an engine notch of the powered system, or a jerk of the powered system.