Navy
Saturday, October 17th
Last Matchup: 42-10 Navy (2019)
Navy loses a lot following last year’s 11-2 campaign, including star quarterback Malcolm Perry. Navy was a good team regardless, but Perry was a large reason for their success a year ago. Ranking 19th nationally in total offense, Navy and their triple-option was near impossible to defend. New ECU defensive coordinator Blake Harrell has a long history with the triple option, seeing it in practice every day at a couple of his last stops. I think Navy takes a step back and ECU will break their four-game losing streak to the Midshipmen.
Prediction: Win (5-2)
@ Tulsa
Friday, October 30th
Last Matchup: 49-24 Tulsa (2019)
Coming off a bye week, this is definitely a winnable game for the Pirates. Tulsa was probably the best 4-8 team in the country a year ago, losing some tough games. They were a short field goal away from upsetting #24 SMU, but fell in triple overtime. It’s really hard to say how their 2020 season will go, but senior quarterback Zach Smith is enough of a reason for them to be optimistic. Tulsa’s offense, returning almost everyone, will be too good for ECU to win this one.
Prediction: Loss (5-3)
Tulane
Saturday, November 7th
Last Matchup: 24-18 Tulane (2018)
After taking a year off, the two teams meet again in the first of two straight years playing in Greenville. The Green Wave got off to a hot 5-1 start in 2019 before going 2-5 to finish the year. Tulane had the 23rd best offense in the country in 2019, but lose about 70 percent of their production. Their defense wasn’t impressive at all and I don’t see any reason to believe it will get better this year. ECU should be able to win this one.
Prediction: Win (6-3)