East Carolina remains in the running for a berth in the American Conference Championship game. UTSA is looking to become bowl-eligible. The two will meet on Saturday in San Antonio with plenty at stake.
Throw in the fact that UTSA is 24-0 at home against conference opponents in the Jeff Traylor era, dating back to the 2020 season, and one can see the challenge East Carolina faces.
Then again, East Carolina, coming off a comeback 31-27 home win over Memphis, will pose quite a challenge for UTSA, despite its recent home-field dominance.
East Carolina is one of four teams with just one American Conference loss. Nobody is unbeaten in conference play, where teams play eight games. Navy is 6-1, while East Carolina, North Texas, and Tulane are all 5-1.
It is certainly a game with much at stake.
How to Watch East Carolina-UTSA
The East Carolina-UTSA game will be at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 22, and televised by ESPN+.
East Carolina-UTSA Betting Odds
As of this writing, East Carolina is a 2.5-point college football betting favorite via BetMGM. The Over/Under is 62.5 points.
East Carolina-UTSA Records
East Carolina (7-3, 5-1 American Conference)
UTSA (5-5, 3-3)
East Carolina-UTSA Coaches
East Carolina: Blake Harrell (12-4)
UTSA: Jeff Traylor (51-25)
East Carolina-UTSA Last Meeting
Sept. 28, 2024, East Carolina won 30-20 in Greenville to even the series at 1-1.
East Carolina-UTSA Preview
For East Carolina
East Carolina’s lone American loss was 26-19 at Tulane on Oct. 9. In last week’s 31-27 win over Memphis, Payton Mangrum caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Katin Houser with 1 minute, 8 seconds to play, and Mike Wright Jr. sealed the win with a late interception.
The Pirates lead the American in scoring defense, allowing 18.3 points per game. They are fourth in scoring offense, averaging 33.6 points per game.
Houser has completed 66.5% of his passes for 2,801 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also has seven rushing touchdowns.
London Montgomery has rushed for 637 yards and seven touchdowns.
Anthony Smith has 51 receptions for 745 yards and four touchdowns, while Yannick Smith has 44 receptions for 583 yards and five scores.
Defensive lineman Zion Wilson leads the team in both tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (five).
Since the loss to Tulane, the Pirates have won four in a row.
For UTSA
The Roadrunners are coming off last week’s 28-7 win at Charlotte, compiling 521 total yards. It must be noted that Charlotte is last in the American (1-9, 0-7).
UTSA is sixth in the American in scoring (32.3 PPG) and seventh in scoring defense, allowing 30.4 points per game.
Owen McCown has completed 67.3% of his passes for 2,186 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Robert Henry Jr. is third in the American with 98.3 rushing yards per game. He has rushed for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. Devin McCuin has 52 receptions for 567 yards and seven touchdowns.
Linebacker Shad Banks Jr. has a team-high 66 tackles.
East Carolina-UTSA Prediction
I predict UTSA will cover the spread at +2.5.
East Carolina is playing so well, but it’s difficult to ignore UTSA’s dominance at home in conference games. UTSA did lose its first home game this year, but it wasn’t a conference game when Texas State earned a 43-36 win in San Antonio. In UTSA’s two home American Conference games, the Roadrunners have outscored Rice and Tulane 108-39.
East Carolina has the ability to break that streak, and the Pirates will certainly be motivated to stay in the conference race. The Pirates finish their conference schedule next week at Florida Atlantic (4-6).
While the stakes aren’t as high, UTSA is also playing for the chance to become bowl-eligible. The Roadrunners finish their season the following week at home against Army (5-4).
Both of UTSA’s remaining opponents are quality teams, so it won’t be easy keeping the home conference streak alive, but until it is broken, I will take the points with the Roadrunners.
