East Carolina Pirates (7-4) vs Cincinnati Bearcats (11-0)
Game Info: Friday, November 26, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium)
Betting Odds: East Carolina Pirates +14 -- Over/Under: 58.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 4th ranked Cincinnati Bearcats will travel to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to take on the East Carolina Pirates this Friday afternoon in College Football action.
The 4th ranked Cincinnati Bearcats improved to 11-0 on the season after defeating the SMU Mustangs, 48-14, this past Saturday. Cincinnati was outstanding on both ends of the field against SMU and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 28-0 lead. Cincinnati outgained SMU by a 544-199 margin and won the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Bearcats was QB Desmond Ridder who completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards & 3 TD while also rushing for a TD.
On the season, Cincinnati is averaging 40.0 ppg on 429.2 total yards per game (249.3 passing yds/g; 179.9 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Cincinnati has been led by QB Desmond Ridder has completed 66.5% of his passes for 2699 yards, 25 TD, & 6 INT while also rushing for 6 TD. The top receiving threats for the Bearcats have been Alec Pierce (40 rec, 666 yards, 6 TD), Tyler Scott (23 rec, 416 yards, 4 TD), Tre Tucker (29 rec, 416 yards, 4 TD), Michael Young Jr. (24 rec, 298 yards, 2 TD), & Josh Whyle (21 rec, 283 yards, 6 TD). Leading the way for the Bearcats backfield has been Jerome Ford who has 971 rushing yard & 16 TD on 162 carries.
Defensively, Cincinnati is holding their opponents to an average of 16.0 ppg on 305.3 total yards per game (155.5 passing yds/g; 149.8 rushing yds/g).
The East Carolina Pirates won their 4th straight game and improved to 7-4 on the season after defeating the Navy Midshipmen, 38-35, this past Saturday. East Carolina trailed by a 35-27 margin midway through the 4th quarter, however, East Carolina was able to tie the game on a 28-yard TD reception by Tyler Snead and pulled off the dramatic victory after Owen Daffer hit a game-winning 54-yard FG as time expired. East Carolina outgained Navy by a 563-382 margin and didn’t commit a turnover in the victory. Leading the way for the Pirates was QB Holton Ahlers who completed 27 of 32 passes for 405 yards & 3 TD.
On the season, East Carolina is averaging 31.2 ppg on 446.9 total yards per game (274.6 passing yds/g; 172.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, East Carolina has been led by RB Keaton Mitchell who has rushed for 1077 yards & 9 TD on 157 carries while also hauling in 22 receptions for 257 yards & 1 TD. QB Holton Ahlers has completed 63.0% of his passes for 2902 yards, 17 TD, & 9 INT while also rushing for 6 TD. The top receiving threats for the Pirates have been Tyler Snead (61 rec, 738 yards, 4 TD), C.J. Johnson (35 rec, 520 yards, TD), Audie Omotosho (37 rec, 494 yards, 3 TD), & Ryan Jones (32 rec, 372 yards, 5 TD).
Defensively, East Carolina is allowing their opponents to average 25.5 ppg on 390.4 total yards per game (225.8 passing yds/g; 164.5 rushing yds/g).
The Bearcats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning record, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 conference games. The Pirates are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog and 8-1 ATS in their last 9 conference games.
Cincinnati looked like a team that deserves to be in the CFP Playoffs after their dismantling of a decent SMU team, however, this is still a team that sometimes has played down to the level of their competition (single digit wins vs. Navy & Tulsa) and I’m somewhat expecting a letdown this week. East Carolina is quietly one of the better teams in the AAC this season and come into this game with a perfect 3-0 record at home in conference play this season. East Carolina has some solid weapons led by QB Holton Ahlers & RB Keaton Mitchell and as I think they could give Cincinnati some trouble in this one, I think the play here is to take the Pirates and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick East Carolina Pirates +14
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05