Navy Midshipmen (2-7) vs East Carolina Pirates (6-4)
Game Info: Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium)
Betting Odds: Navy Midshipmen +4 -- Over/Under: 46.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: CBS Sports Network Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The East Carolina Pirates will travel to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to take on the Navy Midshipmen this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The East Carolina Pirates won their 3rd straight game and improved to 6-4 on the season after defeating the Memphis Tigers, 30-29, this past Saturday. Memphis was able to force OT after hitting a game-tying FG as time expired, however, East Carolina was able to open OT with a TD and although Memphis answered with a TD of their own, the Pirates defense came up big after stopping the Tigers game-winning two-point attempt. East Carolina lost the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin, however, did outgain Memphis by a 502-341 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Pirates was Keaton Mitchell who had 81 rushing yards & 1 TD on 17 carries.
On the season, East Carolina is averaging 30.5 ppg on 435.3 total yards per game (261.6 passing yds/g; 173.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, East Carolina has been led by the RB duo of Keaton Mitchell (139 att, 983 yards, 8 TD) & Rahjai Harris (141 att, 537 yards, 4 TD). QB Holton Ahlers has completed 61.0% of his passes for 2497 yards, 14 TD, & 9 INT while also rushing for 6 TD. The top receiving threats for the Pirates have been Tyler Snead (56 rec, 601 yards, 2 TD), C.J. Johnson (32 rec, 431 yards, TD), Audie Omotosho (30 rec, 404 yards, 3 TD), & Ryan Jones (27 rec, 330 yards, 4 TD).
Defensively, East Carolina is holding their opponents to an average of 24.5 ppg on 391.2 total yards (244.7 passing yds/g; 146.5 rushing yds/g).
The Navy Midshipmen dropped to 2-7 on the season after being defeated by the 10th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 34-6, on November 6th. Navy could get nothing going on the offensive end against the tough Notre Dame defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 17-3 margin. Navy was outgained by Notre Dame by a 430-184 margin and couldn’t force a turnover by the Fighting Irish in the loss. Leading the way for the Midshipmen was RB Isaac Ruoss who had 73 rushing yards on 22 carries.
On the season, Navy is averaging 16.8 ppg on 271.4 total yards per game (54.4 passing yds/g; 217.0 rushing yds/g). Navy is a run first offense that has been led by Isaac Ruoss (133 att, 510 yards, 2 TD), Carlinos Acie (41 att, 305 yards), James Harris II (77 att, 289 yards, 2 TD), & Chance Warren (35 att, 209 yards, TD). QB Tai Lavatai (52.5 Comp %, 273 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 126 att, 235 yards, 5 TD) was injured in the game against Notre Dame and if he can’t go, Navy will go with Xavier Arline (35.3 Comp %, 127 yards; 64 att, 174 yards, 2 TD). The top receiving threat for the Midshipmen has been Mychal Cooper who has 8 receptions for 160 yards & 1 TD.
Defensively, Navy is allowing their opponents to average 30.4 ppg on 357.0 total yards per game (223.0 passing yds/g; 134.0 rushing yds/g).
The Pirates are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall and 8-0 ATS in their last 8 conference games. The Midshipmen are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 18-6 ATS in their last 24 conference games.
Navy can keep games close if they can get their rushing attack rolling as they love to eat up clock and slow down games, however, the Midshipmen really struggled early in the season before going with Tai Lavatai and as he is questionable at best for this one, I just can’t trust a Navy offense averaging just 16.8 ppg to do much in this one. East Carolina has been a very competitive team in the AAC this season with a balanced offensive attack led by Keaton Mitchell & Holton Ahlers and as I think the Pirates offense will have success against a Midshipmen defense allowing over 30.0 ppg, I’m taking East Carolina to cover this small road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick East Carolina Pirates -4
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
