The South Florida Bulls (4-4) travel to the East Carolina Pirates (4-5), both looking to improve their bowl resumes. Check out the South Florida vs. East Carolina prediction and game preview.
South Florida vs. East Carolina Game Preview
Broadcast
Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Network: CBS Sports Network
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Why You Need To Care
At this stage of the season, it’s all about angling for bowl eligibility, which matters to East Carolina and especially South Florida. The Bulls, which lost at Navy last weekend, last bowled in 2010, and any postseason appearance could profoundly impact third-year coach Willie Taggart’s job security. The Pirates have dropped two straight, needing to get back on track immediately. Last Friday’s 31-13 loss at UConn was the low point of the season.
Why South Florida Will Win
The Bulls are catching a Pirate team that was just awful in all phases in Week 9. ECU couldn’t stop Arkeel Newsome, and will have similar struggles with USF’s tandem of QB Quinton Flowers and RB Marlon Mack. ECU must also contend with a South Florida front seven that’s been stout versus the run when not facing Dalvin Cook and Navy’s triple-option.
Why East Carolina Will Win
The Pirates have been a different team in Greenville, starting 3-1, including a win over Virginia Tech. Plus, ECU has a more diverse offense than South Florida, which is rooted deeply in the ground game. The Pirates can run the ball with Chris Hairston and Marquez Grayson, and boast the eclectic QB tandem of James Summers and Blake Kemp.
Player Who Matters
The onus falls on ECU linebackers Zeek Bigger, Montese Overton and Jordan Williams to fill lanes and corral Flowers when he runs the zone-read. Bigger is the team’s best run defender, yet a liability in coverage. Overton, meanwhile, excels against the pass, dropping back to blanket receivers and tight ends.
What’s Going To Happen?
After back-to-back losses, ECU must get back on track … and the team knows it. The Pirates will be tested by improved South Florida, but they’ll deliver their best game in a month. South Florida had all kinds of problems with Navy’s Keenan Reynolds, so look for Summers to get more touches this week.
South Florida vs. East Carolina Prediction
Final Score: East Carolina 24, South Florida 21, Line: East Carolina -4, o/u: 54
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