Cincinnati vs. ECU Prediction, Game Preview


Cincinnati vs. ECU prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Bearcats and Pirates.


Cincinnati vs. ECU Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 22 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
TV Broadcast: CBSSN

Where has the Cincinnati offense gone? The Bearcats could only muster nine points in the loss to UConn this past Saturday. The problem? The rushing attack was held to two yards. I repeat: two yards.

East Carolina is coming off an unscheduled bye week as the matchup against Navy was cancelled due to flooding in Greenville from Hurricane Matthew. The Pirates have lost four straight.

What To Know About Cincinnati

Can the running backs give Hayden Moore any help? The Bearcats only average 124.83 yards per game on the ground. Running back Tion Green will have to step up for this offense to be effective.

The defense has given up a lot of yards, but have held opponents to just 25.3 points per game.

What to Know About ECU

Philip Nelson should be back at quarterback for the Pirates after suffering an injury two weeks ago against South Florida. His favorite target is Zay Jones, who has caught a whopping 84 passes for 840 yards so far this season. He averages 140 yards per game.

The defense will be well rested and focused on stopping the passing game of Moore and the Bearcats. Force Cincinnati to run, and the Bearcats might not be able to move the ball at all.

Advantages

Offense: ECU. With Nelson back, the Pirates have their leader.

Defense: Cincinnati. Needs to keep the Bearcats in the game.

Special Teams: Cincinnati. ECU is just 10-for-16 on field goal attempts.

Coaching: Cincinnati. Tuberville is a veteran and knows how to win when his team isn’t playing its best.

Intangibles: Cincinnati. After a horrible effort against UConn, the Bearcats will be ready to respond.

Matchup To Watch

Hayden Moore vs. ECU pass defense

Stop the Bearcats pass game and the Pirates will win this game.

Cincinnati vs. ECU Betting Odds

Spread: Cincinnati -1.5
Over/Under: 63.5

Cincinnati vs. ECU Prediction

This game is a toss-up, as the Vegas line tells you. Moore will have to win this game for the Bearcats with his arm, while ECU will count on the Nelson-to-Jones connection to put a jolt on its side of the ball. In the end, it comes down to who is better prepared and executes in close games. I’m trusting Tuberville and Cincinnati in this one.

Cincinnati vs. ECU Score Prediction: Cincinnati 30, ECU 27

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