East Carolina Pirates (1-0) vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (0-1)
September 7, 2024 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Old Dominion Monarchs +2.5 / East Carolina Pirates -2.5; Over/Under: +48
(Get latest betting odds)
The East Carolina Pirates and Old Dominion Monarchs meet Saturday in week 2 college football action at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Here’s an Old Dominion vs East Carolina Prediction. This article will include an Old Dominion vs East Carolina Pick.
East Carolina Pirates Betting Preview
The East Carolina Pirates smoked Norfolk State in their opener and play Appalachian State and Liberty next. East Carolina looks for its first 2-0 start since the 2016 season. Jake Garcia is completing 63.9 percent of his passes for 308 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Anthony Smith and Desirrio Riles have combined for 143 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Brock Spalding has 4 receptions.
The East Carolina Pirates ground game is averaging 148 yards per contest, and London Montgomery leads the way with 67 yards on 14 carries. Defensively, East Carolina is allowing 3 points and 114 yards per game. Zakye Barker leads the East Carolina Pirates with 8 tackles, Gavin Gibson has 1 interception and Isaiah Brown-Murray has 2 pass deflections.
Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Preview
The Old Dominion Monarchs lost to South Carolina in their opener and play Virginia Tech and Bowling Green next. Old Dominion hopes to avoid its first 0-2 start since the 2018 season. Grant Wilson is completing 57.9 percent of his passes for 197 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Isiah Paige and Myles Alston have combined for 155 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Pat Conroy has 2 receptions.
The Old Dominion Monarchs ground game is averaging 108 yards per contest, and Aaron Young leads the way with 56 yards on 16 carries. Defensively, Old Dominion is allowing 23 points and 288 yards per game. Patrick Smith-Young leads the Old Dominion Monarchs with 9 tackles, Mario Thompson has 2.5 sacks and Mario Easterly has 1 pass deflection.
Why the Old Dominion Monarchs will win
- Old Dominion has won three of its last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- East Carolina has lost five of its last six road games.
- Old Dominion has covered the spread in each of its last seven games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Old Dominion’s last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of East Carolina’s last four games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Old Dominion ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage this season (1.000).
- Old Dominion ranks T1st among FBS teams for H2 win percentage this season (1.000).
- East Carolina ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- East Carolina ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
Old Dominion vs East Carolina Prediction
East Carolina waxes Norfolk State and all of a sudden is laying points on the road. I’m not buying it. East Carolina still has some showing and proving to do, as this is a bottom-tier team in college football until proven otherwise. Also, East Carolina is 3-5 ATS in its last 8 games as a favorite, and 3 of those 5 failed covers were outright losses. Old Dominion just went toe to toe with South Carolina on the road. At home, I’d assume the Monarchs like their chances against East Carolina. Give me the points with ODU at home, a game it could easily win outright.
