East Carolina vs Old Dominion: Preview & Prediction

Date: Saturday, September 26

Game Time: 6:00pm ET

Records: ECU 2-2 (0-1 AAC), ODU 1-2 (0-0 CUSA)

Line: ODU -3; O/U 47

Venue: S. B. Ballard Stadium, Norfolk, VA

TV: ESPN+

East Carolina is coming off of a sluggish performance in which they struggled mightily in a victory against William & Mary. The Pirates have only played one quality performance all season in their victory over Gardner-Webb. There are some major questions with this team and hopefully we win find some answers this weekend in Norfolk.

Old Dominion is coming off an incredible performance in which they nearly came away with a major upset at No. 18 Virginia last weekend. The team was 17-0 until Virginia found their stride in the second half. The team will be coming in with tons of confidence.

Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Why East Carolina Will Win

The Pirates will win by being pushed by their defense to keep them in the game. The Pirates are only giving up 23 ppg and after holding William and Mary to just 260 total yards, the defense will be a precedent being led by their veteran leaders, Alex Turner and Xavier Smith

Offensively the team needs to finish off drives especially after setting for four field goals on drives as they piled up 480 yards of total drives. Finishing off drives will be paramount in order for the Pirates to come away with a victory.

Why Old Dominion will Win

Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

The Monarchs will need to shut down the ECU run game to be successful as the Pirates offense is much better when they are on schedule and have balance with the run game. The Monarchs are holding to teams to just under 90 yards per game. If they do that, the Monarchs will have a chance.

As for on the offensive side of the ball, the team will need something from their quarterback, Stone Smartt who has only thrown for 486 yards through 3 games. The Monarchs will need their quarterback to make some throws to help them in this one.

Players to Watch

ECU

QB: Holton Ahlers

WR: Blake Proehl

LB: Gerard Stringer

DL: Alex Turner

ODU

RB: Lala Davis

LB: Lawrence Garner

DE: Keion White

DT: Juwan Ross

Prediction

So ECU is getting 3 on the road therefore in betting terms its virtually a pick’em through the betting experts eyes. The game will go deep into the fourth quarter if there is any indication from last season’s meeting. The Pirates will show us something this weekend. I think we will finally fight through some true adversity and find a way to win in a close one.

East Carolina 24, Old Dominion 20