East Carolina’s 2024 season was unpredictable, chaotic, and challenging, but the Pirates ultimately showed promise.
ECU started the year with a 3-4 overall record, which led to the firing of previous head coach Mike Houston. Blake Harrell, previously ECU’s defensive coordinator, took over as the team’s interim head coach.
Things drastically turned around from there. East Carolina won five of its next six games. That included a bowl appearance where the Pirates defeated NC State 26-21 in the Military Bowl.
Now, after showing what it could do following the coaching change, East Carolina could be one of the top programs in the American Conference in 2025. But before they begin league play, the Pirates will have to take on NC State again on the road.
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East Carolina vs. NC State Betting Odds
NC State is a -14 college football betting odds favorite against East Carolina, with the Over/Under being 61.5.
The moneyline for East Carolina is +450, while it’s -625 for NC State.
East Carolina vs. NC State On TV
The matchup between East Carolina and NC State will be televised on ACC Network.
The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 28. The contest is taking place at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.
East Carolina vs. NC State Prediction
I predict East Carolina will cover the 14-point spread and win against NC State. I also project the game will go Over 61.5 total points.
There’s going to be a G5-P4 upset at some point this season, and I think this could be one of those games.
ECU quarterback Katin Houser showed some potential last year. He started ECU’s last seven games of the 2024 season and was a part of the team’s mid-season turnaround. He went 5-2 as the starter.
Against NC State in the Military Bowl, Houser went 18-for-29 passing for 147 yards and two interceptions while rushing for 84 yards and two touchdowns in a win for ECU. I think it’s reasonable to believe he’ll be better than that this time around against NC State. He concluded the 2024 season with 2,006 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 picks on a 60.8% completion rate to go with 170 yards and four scores on the ground.
With G5 Preseason All-American wide receiver Anthony Smith, I think this ECU offense will put up some points. And with an explosive offense, I think that makes ECU capable of pulling off an upset like this.