Norfolk State vs East Carolina Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

The Norfolk State Spartans and the East Carolina Pirates meet Saturday in college football action from Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Here’s a Norfolk State vs East Carolina prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Norfolk State vs East Carolina pick. We will examine:

The Norfolk State Spartans recent form and player performance

The East Carolina Pirates recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Norfolk State Spartans

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the East Carolina Pirates

Recent betting trends in games played between Norfolk State and East Carolina

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Norfolk State vs East Carolina game

Norfolk State Spartans Betting Preview

Last season Norfolk State had a pretty rough run. The Spartans posted a pretty ugly 3-8 run with an even-worse 1-4 record in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Norfolk State finished ahead of only Delaware State (0-5) in the standings with that result.

The Spartans already have one game in the books this year. That one was against Florida A&M last Saturday. In that matchup Norfolk State took a tough loss 24-23. QB Jalen Daniels went 7-for-9 for 142 yards and also posted a rush TD while Jacquez Jones caught four balls for 78 yards. Kevon King topped the rush with 14 carries for 146 yards and two scores.

East Carolina Pirates Betting Preview

Over on the Pirates’ side, they had a rough campaign in 2023 as well. East Carolina went just 2-10 overall and 1-7 in American Athletic Conference play. The Pirates finished dead last in the AAC standings, behind Temple (also 1-7).

Mike Houston enters his sixth year on the ECU sideline as head coach, and he’s got his work cut out for him. There’s some optimism surrounding the Pirates this year, as it would be tough not to take a step forward after 2023’s abysmal campaign. If nothing else, the offense should be markedly better. East Carolina will take on Old Dominion after this one.

Why the East Carolina Pirates will win

• East Carolina has won each of its last five home games against non-FBS teams.
• East Carolina has covered the spread in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Norfolk State Spartans will win

• East Carolina has lost seven of its last eight games.
• East Carolina has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Total Points Facts

• Four of East Carolina’s last five games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Norfolk State vs East Carolina Prediction

I’ll probably stay with Norfolk State. I could probably go either way, though. Granted, there’s not a ton of intrigue involved in this matchup if you go by each team’s 2023 record, however we should have a pretty fun matchup. The Spartans should benefit greatly from already getting out on the field against Florida A&M—even considering the losing effort. In that one Norfolk State had a 14-10 lead at the break but were doomed by a pretty lousy third quarter.

As for East Carolina, if their offense clicks this season the team will make great strides. The Pirates already had a pretty decent defense last year, and they return seven starters from that group. It’ll be interesting to see what the new East Carolina product looks like on the field.