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On Friday, the East Carolina Pirates (5-3) will head to Provo, Utah, to clash with the BYU Cougars (4-4). ECU, winners of two of their last three, is fresh off a 34-13 home win against the UCF Knights.
The Pirates had no issues moving the ball on offense, with QB Holton Ahlers completing 83% of his passes while RB Keaton Mitchell ran for 105 yards and two scores.
Meanwhile, BYU is in a tailspin, losing three straight by 52 points. The Cougars most recently jumped out to a 14-3 lead against the Liberty Flames last Saturday but allowed 38 unanswered points in a 41-14 loss.
BYU went the final 48 minutes of game time without a score. This Friday will mark the third time these programs have faced off, with the two splitting the all-time series thus far.
East Carolina Panthers vs. BYU Cougars Betting Odds
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Tale of the Tape
The East Carolina Pirates have a realistic chance of posting their best season in the Mike Houston era. Houston should direct much of the credit towards the Pirates' offense, led by fifth-year senior quarterback Holton Ahlers.
The 6'3", 230-pound gunslinger leads the entire American Athletic Conference in total yards (2,549), passing touchdowns (18), and pass completion percentage (70). Ahler's right-hand man, WR Isaiah Winstead, is third in the country in receptions and receiving yards on the season.
However, the Pirates' passing game hasn't taken away from the rushing attack, which ranks within the top three in team rushing stats thanks to the play of RB Keaton Mitchell.
The East Carolina defense doesn't quite measure up to the offense, but they still play the run very well. The Pirates rank second in the ACC in both rushing yards allowed per game (112) and rushing yards per attempt (3.2), trailing only nationally ranked Cincinnati.
The secondary tends to hit or miss, allowing a ridiculous 281 passing yards per game to opposing QBs but accumulating five interceptions in their last two games. ECU is 3-1 when getting at least one interception compared to 2-2 without a pick.
The 2022 BYU Cougars have already matched their loss total from the previous two years combined. Head coach Kalani Sitake has had to navigate the season with crucial injuries to key returners and transfers.
The Cougars will be without their leading rusher and receiver against ECU while still awaiting the return of three-year starting wide receiver Gunner Romney. The uncertainty puts even more pressure on star quarterback Jaren Hall, who has tossed 19 touchdowns against three interceptions in a down year for BYU.
Hall is the glue for the BYU offense that ranks within the top 25 in the FBS in yards per play and total passing touchdowns. The Cougars lack a Jaren Hall-type glue guy on defense, and they house one of the worst units in the game.
BYU ranks among the worst in the nation at stopping the run, allowing an insane 203 rushing yards per game. In addition, the Cougars' secondary has nothing to write home about, allowing nearly three passing scores a game on a 67% completion percentage.
Many of BYU's defensive miscues seem to be attributed to a demanding schedule. Their last three opponents have been near or in the AP top 25 at one point this season.
East Carolina Pirates vs. BYU Cougars Prediction
The schedule makers did not go easy on the BYU Cougars. The Cougars have already faced five programs that were, or should be, ranked this season, going 1-4. But, outside of the Liberty debacle, BYU played them all tough, including beating then #9 Baylor 26-20 in Provo.
The grind continues with a capable ECU squad traveling to Utah on Friday. BYU will be in for another battle but will be backed by their home crowd and equipped with the always-dependent Jaren Hall.
If the Cougars can keep ECU out of the endzone every once in a while, the BYU offense should be able to help snap the program's three-game losing streak.
Prediction: BYU -3 (-110)
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