| MATCHUP | East Carolina Pirates | Memphis Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 3-3 | 5-2 |
| Spread | +10.5 -112 | -10.5 -108 |
| Moneyline | +330 | -425 |
| Total | Over 54.5 (-108) | Under 54.5 (-112) |
| Where | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN | |
| When | Thursday, October 22, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN2 | |
The East Carolina Pirates and Memphis Tigers meet Thursday in week 8 college football action at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Here’s an East Carolina vs. Memphis Prediction. This article will include an East Carolina vs. Memphis Pick.
East Carolina Pirates Betting Preview
The East Carolina Pirates beat Rice, lost to UAB, and they play Temple next. East Carolina has won 3 of its last 4 games. Emory Williams is completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 655 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Ray Ray Joseph Jr. and Jeremiah Melvin have combined for 460 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jason Dickerson has 9 receptions.
The East Carolina Pirates’ ground game is averaging 155.5 yards per contest, and TJ Engleman Jr. leads the way with 490 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, East Carolina is allowing 23.8 points and 326.3 yards per game. DJ Johnson Jr. leads the East Carolina Pirates with 42 tackles, Jasiyah Robinson has 2.5 sacks, and Ayden Duncanson has 2 interceptions.
Memphis Tigers Betting Preview
The Memphis Tigers beat UAB, lost to Tulane, and they play Army next. Memphis has won 3 of its last 4 games. Marcus Stokes is completing 66.9 percent of his passes for 1,841 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Hunter Tipton and Stonka Burnside have combined for 721 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while Jermane Hayes has 25 receptions.
The Memphis Tigers’ ground game is averaging 236.8 yards per contest, and Jaylin Carter leads the way with 780 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, Memphis is allowing 22.3 points and 372.4 yards per game. Mike Montgomery leads the Memphis Tigers with 47 tackles, Elijah Kinsler has 4.5 sacks, and Dylan Smith has 3 interceptions.
Why the Memphis Tigers will win
- Memphis has won 14 of its last 16 home games.
- East Carolina has lost each of its last four October road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Memphis has covered the spread in each of its last three home games in October.
- East Carolina has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games in October.
- The favorite has won the first half in each of East Carolina’s last four games.
Why the East Carolina Pirates will win
- East Carolina has won each of its last three games against Memphis.
- East Carolina has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 October games as a road underdog.
- Memphis has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as a favorite against teams from North Carolina.
- Memphis has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Total Points Facts
- Each of East Carolina’s last seven games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Memphis’ last four games as a favorite against teams from North Carolina have gone OVER the total points line.
Memphis Tigers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Marcus Stokes ranks 5th amongst qualified players for passer rating (178.5) this season.
East Carolina Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Ray Ray Joseph leads East Carolina for receptions (29) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Memphis ranks T6th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (66.7).
- Memphis ranks T7th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.9).
- East Carolina ranks T129th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (95.2).
- East Carolina ranks 127th among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (8.5).
East Carolina vs Memphis Prediction
Both teams are coming off bad losses, so it’s going to be interesting to see how both sides rebound. Memphis is the more talented side and has had better covering success, but this is a lot of points for a team that’s underachieving for the most part and can’t stop the run defensively. East Carolina is below average on both sides of the ball, but it’s a run-first offense and should be able to move the ball a bit against this Memphis front. A hook on top of a key number as well. There are better options out there on Thursday, but I’ll lean toward the points. It’s a fade of Memphis more than anything, though.