In the beginning of the year, East Carolina’s matchup with Charlotte didn’t seem like a game of the week candidate, but both teams appear to be vastly improved. East Carolina, after a 2-10 2023 season, has already exceeded that win total at 3-2. Charlotte, which was 3-9 last year, is 2-3.
Both are 1-0 in the AAC, and in this year of parity, could either be considered a potential conference championship contender?
That might be stretching things a little, but ECU is coming off a huge 30-20 win over a UTSA team that in the preseason was at least mentioned with the top teams.
Both Charlotte and ECU are not only looking to go 2-0 in conference play but to get another step closer to becoming bowl eligible.
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East Carolina-Charlotte How To Watch
East Carolina at Charlotte will be televised on ESPNU.
East Carolina-Charlotte Betting Line
East Carolina: -7.5 (-110)
East Carolina-Charlotte Coaches
East Carolina: Mike Houston (77-52 overall; 27-36 at East Carolina)
Charlotte: Biff Poggi (5-12)
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2023; Charlotte won 10-7 at ECU
Trailing 10-7, ECU’s final chance to tie the score failed when the Pirates missed a 48-yard field goal with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jalon Jones rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown to lead the winning effort.
Why The East Carolina-Charlotte Game Is Important
The winner improves to 2-0 in the AAC and goes one step further toward bowl eligibility, with Charlotte seeking its third win and ECU its fourth. The winner will also have momentum heading into a bye week for both teams. After the bye, they each meet current 4-0 teams, with Charlotte visiting Navy on Oct. 19 and ECU traveling to Army on the same date.
East Carolina Preview
Trailing by 10 points early in the second quarter, ECU reeled off 24 consecutive points to take control in its 30-20 home win last week over UTSA in the opening AAC game for both teams.
In its previous two games, it had been the opposite, with ECU losing after holding double-digit leads. The Pirates led Appalachian State by 16 points before losing 21-19 at home on Sept. 14.
The next week on Sept. 21, ECU led by 17 at Liberty early in the second quarter before falling 35-24.
ECU opened the season with a 42-3 home win over Norfolk State and a 20-14 victory at Old Dominion.
In the win over UTSA, quarterback Jake Garcia had an up-and-down day. He completed 17 of 35 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also scored on a 3-yard run.
Winston Wright Jr. and Anthony Smith each had touchdown receptions, and Rahjai Harris rushed for 60 hard-earned yards on 25 carries.
Linebacker Michael Edwards III led the Pirates with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He also had two pass breakups.
In his first appearance as a Pirate, Noah Perez made three field goals of 21, 24, and 42 yards and was successful on all three of his PATs.
Charlotte Preview
The 49ers went to the bullpen, and backup quarterback Deshawn Purdie was up to the task in last week’s 21-20 victory at Rice. Purdie replaced Trexler Ivey with 13:01 left in the third quarter and the 49ers trailing Rice 10-0.
At that point, Ivey had thrown for just 54 yards and one interception.
Purdie helped turn things around by completing 10 of 15 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. He threw touchdown passes of 32 and 45 yards to O’Mega Blake, who finished with five receptions for 153 yards.
Cartevious Norton led the ground game with 56 yards on 10 carries.
Cornerback Dontae Balfour and linebacker Reid Williford each led the 49ers with seven tackles.
Hahsaun Wilson provided the winning margin by scoring on a 1-yard touchdown with 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The outcome, however, wasn’t decided until Rice missed a 40-yard field goal as time expired.
East Carolina-Charlotte Prediction
I like taking East Carolina giving the points. Both teams have been inconsistent on offense, but one staple has been the defense of ECU. The Pirates are allowing 18.6 points per game, which is 36th nationally. Charlotte is allowing 33.2 points per game, which is 117th.
Offensively, ECU is averaging 27 points per game, while Charlotte averages 17.8 points.
The key is usually turnovers, and both teams have been hurt by miscues. ECU has committed an alarming 16 turnovers, which is 133rd and dead last among FBS teams. Garcia has thrown 11 interceptions, while the Pirates have also lost five fumbles.
Charlotte has committed eight turnovers, which is tied for 99th in the FBS.
The best chance for a Charlotte upset is for ECU to continue giving possessions up, but if the Pirates take care of the ball, even though they are on the road, they should prove to be the much stronger team.
