East Carolina vs. UCF Prediction, Game Preview


The East Carolina Pirates (4-6) and the UCF Knights (0-10) exit their bye weeks looking to snap losing streaks. Check out the East Carolina vs. UCF prediction and game preview.

East Carolina vs. UCF Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Thursday, November 19
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Network: ESPN

Why You Need To Care

East Carolina is running out of time for salvaging its season and qualifying for a fourth consecutive bowl game. The Pirates appeared to be in good shape at 4-3, having defeated Virginia Tech and lost to Florida and BYU by just a touchdown. But then ECU dropped three straight, and now must win the final two just to reach .500. UCF has been circling the drain since losing the opener to Florida International, and it’s still looking for its first win of 2015. In fact, each of the Knights’ last seven losses was by at least two touchdowns.

Why East Carolina Will Win

A trip to Orlando will be the perfect remedy for a Pirate attack that was lumbering heading into the break. ECU has averaged just 15 points over its last three games, but the potential and the personnel is there to be far more potent. As is the opponent, UCF, which has been shorthanded and has yielded an average of 45 points in conference games.

Why UCF Will Win

The Knights’ best offensive effort of 2015 was its last offensive effort, producing 30 points and a season-high 412 yards. QB Justin Holman had some success through the air, while WR Tre’Quan Smith looks more and more like a No. 1 target. And if East Carolina continues having problems converting on third downs, it’s liable to get caught from behind by UCF.

Player Who Matters

Who gets the bulk of the snaps for East Carolina, pocket passer Blake Kemp or pocket escape artist James Summers? Each brings a unique element to the offense, but it’s up to the staff to use them properly. Neither did much during the losing streak, but head coach Ruffin McNeill remains committed to using both to keep UCF guessing and back on their heels defensively.

What’s Going To Happen?

With a chance to reboot last week, East Carolina will resume playing like a bowl-caliber team, even if that bowl is of the second-tier variety. The Pirate offense is better than it’s looked of late. And it’ll prove it, deftly mixing Summers and Kemp with RB Chris Hairston. Once ECU begins scoring, UCF won’t have the horses to keep pace.

East Carolina vs. UCF Prediction

Final Score: East Carolina 35, UCF 17, Line: East Carolina -15, o/u: 54.5

Must See Rating:
5: The Night Before … 1: Donny! … 1

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