East Carolina-South Florida Preview
Date & Time : Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
Location: Tampa, Florida
TV: ESPN U
Line: ECU (-17.5) O/U: 51
After the absolute chaos that was last week, the East Carolina Pirates bumped up a bit in the polls and will continue their road through The American at Raymond James Stadium against the South Florida Bulls.
Unlike last week, the Pirates don’t come in as nearly 40-point favorites to the 2-3 Bulls, whose only wins came in a nailbiter against Western Carolina and UConn, while losing to the likes of Maryland, NC State and Wisconsin.
A Rivalry Renewed?
Not really. ECU and USF have only played against each other four times, last meeting in the 2006 Papajohns.com Bowl. The Bulls are 4-0 all-time against the Pirates.
Keys for the Bulls
If South Florida wants a chance, they’re going to have to establish the run game early and often. The Bulls have the AAC’s leading rusher in freshman Marlon Mack, who is chasing school records in his huge early season.
Sep 27, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to Mack, wideout Andre Davis is listed as probable to return after missing four games with a bruised sternum. He’s their most experienced and decorated reviver and would give them much more versatility in the passing game.
USF is coming off a bye week after their road loss to Wisconsin, so look the roster should be healthy for the most part.
Keys for the Pirates
Primarily for ECU, it’s about coaching this week. After a somewhat disappointing performance against SMU last week, and then the suspension of three freshman players, head coach Ruffin McNeil has had his hands full to say the least. This is a USF team that hasn’t played a home game in nearly a month, and they want to take down ECU in their return. Getting the troops ready for the challenge and keeping focus will be the main key to a win this week.
Outside of that, the team has come together quite nicely on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Shane Carden is having a record-setting, and potentially even a Heisman-caliber season. The Pirates will also have Cam Worthy back in the receiving corps after his suspension, adding to the passing threat that also consists of Justin Hardy and Isaiah Jones.
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Garnet and Cocky
Running back Breon Allen is also coming into his own, averaging nearly 9 yards a carry, so look for the Pirates to also establish on the ground.
Defensively, ECU has improved, but lacked focus last week against SMU. This week, they will need to shut down the Bulls on their turf on both sides of the ball, something that linebacker Zeek Bigger (who ranks seventh in the country in tackles per game) and cornerback Josh Hawkins (who ranks third in the country in passes defended) know how to do very well.
Prediction
ECU’s high-powered offense, that ranks fourth in the country, should be more than enough to give the Pirates their second straight conference win. Last week was on cruise control, so this week needs to be on full throttle in a potentially hostile environment and as the AAC conference schedule continues.
East Carolina – 49
South Florida – 17