Following a turbulent 2024 season where the team went through a coaching change but then earned bowl-eligibility, East Carolina may end up being one of the top teams in the American Conference this year.
The Pirates opened the season with a close battle at NC State before losing 24-17. But then they’ve since won their last two games, defeating Campbell 56-3 and then pulling off a 38-0 triumph over Coastal Carolina. That’s earned ECU the 13th spot in the HERO Sports Group of Five Top 25 media poll.
Now at 2-1, ECU has another Power Four clash this week. They will host BYU, which is 2-0 and has the best scoring defense in the FBS right now. The Cougars have defeated Portland State 69-0 and Stanford 27-3.
BYU vs. East Carolina College Football Betting
East Carolina is a +6.5 college football betting odds underdog against BYU, with the Over/Under being 49.5.
The moneyline for BYU is -235, while it’s +195 for East Carolina.
BYU vs. East Carolina On TV
The matchup between BYU and East Carolina will be televised on ESPN2.
The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 20. The contest is taking place at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina.
BYU vs. East Carolina Prediction
I predict East Carolina will win and cover the 6.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 49.5 total points.
This is a battle between two of the best scoring defenses in the country, so I don’t think this will be a high-scoring affair.
Through two games, BYU has allowed just three points. At 1.5 points per game allowed, the Cougars have the No. 1 scoring defense in the FBS. Meanwhile, East Carolina is 11th in the FBS and first in the Group of Five with nine points per game allowed.
ECU’s defensive front has also been fantastic. The Pirates’ 58.7 rushing yards per game allowed are the seventh-fewest in the nation and the fewest in the G5.
And I think that’s going to limit BYU’s offense. Now, I don’t think ECU’s offense is going to have a great game, either.
But with quarterback Katin Houser, who’s thrown for 973 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception on a 72% completion rate, and wide receiver Anthony Smith, who leads the team with 241 yards on 23 receptions, I do think ECU has enough talent on offense to pull off an upset at home.
