2020 ECU Football: Way-Too-Early Predictions

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 09: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 09: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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@ Cincinnati

Thursday, November 12th

CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats walks off the field after a win over the Temple Owls at Nippert Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats walks off the field after a win over the Temple Owls at Nippert Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Last Matchup: 46-43 Cincinnati (2019)

After last year’s heartbreaking loss to Cincinnati, the Pirates will look to get revenge. Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell made a lot of headlines deciding not to take the Michigan State job and stay in Cincinnati. That may say a lot about what Fickell expects out of this team in 2020. The Bearcats return most of their 40th ranked defense from 2019 and quarterback Desmond Ridder will likely have a big junior season following his injury-plagued sophomore year. Cincinnati will be too tough to beat at home.

Prediction: Loss (6-4)

@ Temple

Saturday, November 21st

ANNAPOLIS, MD – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Anthony Russo #15 of the Temple Owls looks on in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 27, 2019 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Anthony Russo #15 of the Temple Owls looks on in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 27, 2019 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Last Matchup: 27-17 Temple (2019)

ECU fans cringe when they see Temple on the schedule. The Pirates are on a brutal six-game losing streak to the Owls (all by double digits) and haven’t beaten them since 1995. Even when ECU is the better team, they can’t seem to beat them. Last year the Pirates played them pretty tough on a Thursday night in Greenville, losing 27-17. They lose a lot on defense, for 2020 which was one of their strong points. Senior quarterback Anthony Russo should have the Owls back playing in a bowl again and they should take care of ECU at home in 2020.

Prediction: Loss (6-5)

SMU

Saturday, November 28th

DALLAS, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 09: Calvin Wiggins #15 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs and Warren Saba #17 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 09: Calvin Wiggins #15 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs and Warren Saba #17 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Last Matchup: 59-51 SMU (2019)

Last season, SMU beat the Pirates in an absolute shootout 59-51 where the teams combined for 1,280 yards. Don’t expect SMU’s defense to get any better or their offense to take much of a step back. Senior quarterback Shane Buechele, who threw for nearly 4,000 yards in 2019, will be one of the favorites to win AAC player of the year in 2020. I expect another exciting and high scoring affair, but the Mustangs to come out on top.

Prediction: Loss

Final Record: 6-6