East Carolina (2-2) vs UTSA (2-2)
Game Info: Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 4:00 pm (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: East Carolina -4 / UTSA +4 — Over/Under: 56.5
The UTSA Roadrunners and the East Carolina Pirates meet in week 5 college football action from Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UTSA vs. East Carolina prediction.
UTSA Recap
The UTSA Roadrunners come into this one looking to build on their 45-7 beatdown win over Houston Christian to improve to 2-2 on the year. After this game, UTSA will have their bye week before going to take on Rice on the road.
Roadrunners Knock Off Huskies
Owen McCown has thrown for 803 yards and 6 touchdowns on 67% passing while Eddie Lee Marburger has thrown for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 INTs on 54.3% passing. Robert Henry also has a team-high 157 rushing yards, while Willie McCoy has a team-high 215 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 receptions. Devin McCuin has a team-high 27 receptions for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns. On defense, Elliott Davison has a team-high 20 total tackles including a team-high 14 solo tackles. Jimmori Robinson also has 3 sacks and UTSA’s defense as a whole has combined for 9 sacks and 2 interceptions so far this season.
Why the UTSA Roadrunners will win
- UTSA has won 17 of its last 18 games against conference opponents.
- East Carolina has lost seven of its last eight games against conference opponents.
- The underdog has covered the spread in four of East Carolina’s last five games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
- East Carolina has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
East Carolina Recap
The East Carolina Pirates come into this one looking to rebound from back-to-back losses after a 35-24 loss to Liberty to fall to 2-2 this season. After this matchup, East Carolina will take on Charlotte on the road.
Pirates Trying To Make Noise In AAC
Jake Garcia has thrown for 1,021 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions on 62.3% passing while Rahjai Harris has rushed for a team-high 289 yards and 3 touchdowns. Anthony Smith has a team-high 15 receptions for 212 yards while Winston Wright Jr. has 18 receptions of his own for 207 yards. On defense, Zakye Barber has a team-high 38 total tackles while Gavin Gibson has an interception for a TD and Shavon Revel Jr. also has an interception of his own. As a unit, East Carolina has combined for 9 sacks and 5 interceptions on the year.
Why the East Carolina Pirates will win
- The favorite has won each of UTSA’s last 14 games.
- UTSA has lost each of its last seven games as an underdog.
- The favorite has covered the spread in seven of UTSA’s last eight games.
- UTSA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games as an underdog.
UTSA vs. East Carolina Prediction
I’m on the Roadrunners here. I like what UTSA’s been able to put together and I’m just not all that sold on ECU up to this point in the year. The Roadrunners have just gone against tough opposition on the road, but they’re not necessarily challenged here and I’d argue we’re getting points with the better team. I’ll side with UTSA and the points here.