The SMU Mustangs and the East Carolina Pirates meet Thursday in college football action from Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. SMU is currently 3-2 on the season so far. the Mustangs took out Charlotte in their most recent outing. As for East Carolina, they’re sitting at 1-4 overall following a loss to Rice on September 30. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

SMU Mustangs

The Mustangs have been a mixed bag in the record columns so far this year, but their two losses were both road affairs versus tough teams. SMU beat LA Tech 38-14, then fell to Oklahoma 28-11 in game two. After a 69-0 blowout win over Prairie View, the Mustangs lost to TCU 34-17 the next weekend. 

Back on September 30 in their most recent outing versus Charlotte, SMU got back into the win column. The Mustangs scored in every quarter on the way to a 34-16 win. QB Preston Stone finished with 135 yards, two scores and a pick. Jaylan Knighton added 11 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Bailey caught three balls for 34 yards. 

SMU Mustangs Team Facts

• The favorite has won 17 of SMU’s last 18 games.
• SMU has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 road games against conference opponents.
• SMU has won the first quarter in three of its last four road games against conference opponents.
• Each of SMU’s last four October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

East Carolina Pirates 

Over on the East Carolina side, they opened the year with an unenviable matchup versus Michigan and lost 30-3. The Pirates fell to Marshall 31-13 and Appalachian State 43-28 in their next pair before finally getting a win 44-0 over Gardner-Webb. East Carolina QB Alex Flinn posted 94 yards and a score in the victory, and Kamarro Edmonds had a pair of rush scores. 

The Pirates couldn’t keep the momentum going against Rice in their most recent outing, though. East Carolina gave up points in every quarter in a 24-17 loss. Flinn posted 246 yards with a pick in the defeat, and Javoius Bond led the rush on seven carries for 72 yards. Chase Sowell was tops in receiving with seven catches for 88 yards. 

East Carolina Pirates Team Facts

• The favorite has won each of East Carolina’s last seven games.
• The favorite has covered the spread in each of East Carolina’s last four games.
• East Carolina has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Each of East Carolina’s last five October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stay with SMU in this one. The Mustangs are coming off a nice performance against Charlotte and should be able to post some decent stats in this one as well. SMU finished with 363 total yards (228 rushing) in the win over the 49ers, along with 6.0 yards per play and 20 first downs. That makes 34 or more points in all three of the Mustangs’ wins so far. 

As for East Carolina, they were able to hang around with Rice in the first half of their last outing and lost steam in the second. the Pirates would eventually post 391 yards (145 rushing) and 25 first downs. Defensively ECU did a good job (277 yards allowed) but the offense couldn’t keep pace. I like this one to be similar: a fairly tight first half and an eventual Mustangs cover.