In this article, we will formulate a Pitt vs East Carolina Prediction for this College Football Bowl Game on Saturday, December 27th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
East Carolina Pirates Preview
East Carolina has an 8-4 record this season and finished 6-2 in the AAC. They are coming off a 42-38 road win against Florida Atlantic. Offensively, East Carolina averages 33.5 points per game, ranking 22nd in the nation, while defensively, they allow 20.3 points per game, which is 28th. East Carolina averages 464.7 total yards per game (280.7 passing and 184 rushing), while allowing 348.9 total yards per game (120.3 rushing and 228.7 passing).
Katin Houser leads East Carolina with 3,300 passing yards with 65.9% completed passes and 19 touchdowns. London Montgomery leads the team in rushing yards with 742, while Anthony Smith has a team-high 60 receptions for 897 receiving yards. Defensively, Ja’Marley Riddle has a team-high 70 total tackles (38 of them solo), while Zion Wilson leads the team in sacks, with 7, and Ja’Marley Riddle has a team-high 3 interceptions.
Pitt Panthers Preview
Pitt has an 8-4 record this season and finished 6-2 in the ACC. They are coming off a 7-38 home loss against Miami. Offensively, Pitt averages 35.1 points per game, ranking 16th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 24.9 points per game, which is 69th. Pitt averages 391.8 total yards per game (274.8 passing and 117 rushing), while allowing 337.2 total yards per game (97 rushing and 240.2 passing).
Mason Heintschel leads Pitt with 2,098 passing yards with 63.8% completed passes and 15 touchdowns. Ja’Kyrian Turner leads the team in rushing yards with 652, while Kenny Johnson has a team-high 48 receptions for 695 receiving yards. Defensively, Rasheem Biles has a team-high 84 total tackles (32 of them solo), while Jimmy Scott leads the team in sacks, with 4.5, and Kavir Bains has a team-high 3 interceptions.
Pittsburgh Panthers @ East Carolina Pirates Betting Trends: Bowl
Why the East Carolina Pirates will win
- East Carolina has won five of its last six games.
- Pittsburgh has lost five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams at neutral venues.
- Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams at neutral venues.
- The underdog has covered the spread in five of Pittsburgh’s last six Bowl games.
- Pittsburgh has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- East Carolina has won the first quarter in eight of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents.
Why the Pittsburgh Panthers will win
- Pittsburgh has won each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- East Carolina has lost four of its last five games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Pittsburgh has covered the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite.
- East Carolina has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
- East Carolina has lost the first half in four of its last five games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of East Carolina’s last nine games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Pittsburgh’s last three games at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.
East Carolina Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Katin Houser ranks 10th amongst qualified players for sack percentage (3.3%) this season.
Pittsburgh Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Desmond Reid ranks 17th amongst qualified players for catch rate (85.2%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- East Carolina ranks 5th among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters this season (+6.8).
- East Carolina ranks 6th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game this season (10.1).
- Pittsburgh ranks 9th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (97.0).
- Pittsburgh ranks 11th among FBS teams for H1 points per game this season (20.0).
Pitt vs East Carolina Prediction
In this Pitt vs East Carolina Prediction, Pitt is coming as -9.5-point favorites. Both teams had identical overall records in the regular season but Pitt has been almost perfect on the road, while East Carolina has mediocre, as this game is taking place in a neutral site. Both teams are coming into this matchup in good form, as they are 5-1 and 6-2 in their last 6 and 8 games respectively and East Carolina has a far better defense, allowing 4.6 points per game less than Pitt. I will not lay almost double digits with Pitt, as East Carolina has been good enough to keep this one close. Take East Carolina and get the +9.5 points in this one.