Old Dominion vs East Carolina Prediction Football Picks Today 9/19/26

In this article we will formulate an Old Dominion vs East Carolina prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 19th at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 3 matchup. 

Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Preview

The Old Dominion Monarchs are 1-1 this year after they lost to Virginia Tech by a score of 44-21 in their last game. Old Dominion trailed 34-6 at halftime, but they did win the second half 15-10 in the loss. The Monarchs were out gained by a total of 416-310, went 4-13 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 3-2 in the game. Quinn Henicle threw for 187 yards and one touchdown, while Josh Rodriguez caught three passes for 89 yards. Henicle also led the ground game with 83 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries in the game. 

Prior to that loss, Old Dominion defeated Norfolk State by a score of 31-10 in their first game. The Monarchs have scored 26.0 points per game with 165.0 passing yards and 149.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 27.0 points against per game this season. Quinn Henicle has thrown for 330 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while also rushing for 151 yards and three scores on 29 carries this year. 

East Carolina Pirates Betting Preview

The East Carolina Pirates are 0-2 this season after they lost to App State by a score of 27-24 in week two. East Carolina trailed 17-10 at halftime, but they did win the second half 14-10 in the close loss. The Pirates out gained App State by a total of 417-396, went 2-13 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Mitch Griffis threw for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Jeremiah Melvin caught seven passes for 94 yards. Ashton Gray rushed 16 times for 99 yards in the loss. 

Prior to that game, East Carolina lost to Alabama by a score of 48-10 in week one. The Pirates have scored 17.0 points per game with 195.0 passing yards and 94.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 37.5 points against per game this season. Mitch Griffis has thrown for 367 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Jeremiah Melvin has 11 receptions for 154 yards and one score this season. 

Why the Old Dominion Monarchs will win

• Old Dominion has won each of its last seven home games.
• East Carolina has lost eight of its last nine September games as an underdog.
• East Carolina has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven September games as an underdog.
• Old Dominion has won the first half in each of its last six games against teams from North Carolina.
• Old Dominion has won the first quarter in four of its last five home games.

Why the East Carolina Pirates will win

• East Carolina has won six of its last seven games against teams from Virginia.
• Old Dominion has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
• East Carolina has covered the spread in four of its last five games against teams from Virginia.
• East Carolina has won the first half in six of its last seven games against teams from Virginia.
• East Carolina has won the first quarter in each of its last four games as an underdog against teams from Virginia.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Old Dominion’s last six games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of East Carolina’s last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Old Dominion Monarchs Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, JJ Harrell ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

East Carolina Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Tomas O’Halloran ranks 20th amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (46.7) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Old Dominion ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
• Old Dominion ranks T2nd among FBS teams for sacks this season (9.0).
• East Carolina ranks 138th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (21.0).
• One of East Carolina’s two games this season have been decided by a margin of three points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.

Old Dominion vs East Carolina Prediction 

East Carolina comes into this matchup looking for their first win of the season, but they will be on the road here. The Pirates have allowed 75 points through two games and the home loss to App State last week was bad. Old Dominion lost by 23 to Va Tech in their last game and they were blown out in the first half. I don’t love how either team has played so far, so I will back East Carolina and the points, but I am not excited about it.