North Carolina at East Carolina College Football Picks and Predictions 9/8/2018

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The North Carolina Tar Heels head to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to play the East Carolina Pirates on Saturday, September 8, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has North Carolina as 10.5 point favorites. The Tar Heels are 0-0-1 against the spread and their over/under record is 0-1-0. The Pirates are 0-1-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 0-1-0.

Valuable North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 0-1-0 against the over/under

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 0-0-1 against the spread

Important East Carolina Pirates Betting Trends

The East Carolina Pirates are 0-1-0 against the over/under

The East Carolina Pirates are 0-1-0 against the spread

Useful Offensive Statistics

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 105th in the country in points scored with 17. They have run 73 plays this year for 301 yards, which ranks them 108th in Division 1 in total offense. The Tar Heels average 4.1 yards per play, which is 111th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 15 1st downs this season, ranking them 111th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground North Carolina has run for 164 yards as a unit, which ranks 76th in college football. They've run 38 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Tar Heels have been penalized on offense 13 times for 124 yards so far this year, which has them 6th in the country in penalties. Nathan Elliott has passed for 137 yards this year. He's completed 15 throws while attempting 35 passes for a completion percentage of 42.9%. His quarterback rating this season is 62.3. He averages 1.7 adjusted yards per throw and 3.9 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

North Carolina is 71st in the country in points surrendered on defense with 24. They have given up a total of 279 yards on D, which is 40th in D-1. The Tar Heels are 22nd in yards per play allowed with 3.4. Opponent offenses have completed 16 throws on 32 attempts against the North Carolina Tar Heels defense this season, ranking them 50th and 67th in the nation. The North Carolina pass defense has also surrendered a total of 119 yards in the air, which is 31st overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 49 attempts for 160 yards this season, putting them in 76th place in the country against the run. The Tar Heels have had 5 penalties for 35 yards on defense this year. That places them 34th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

North Carolina is 30th in the country in punt returns with 3. They've totaled 28 punt return yards and average 9.3 yards per return, which is 45th in D-1. They have returned 3 kicks for 48 yards on special teams, which puts them 61st in kick return yardage. The Tar Heels average 16 yards per kick return and they are 103rd in the nation in all-purpose yards with 377. Their punters have accumulated 295 yards on 7 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That ranks them 60th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Pirates have run for 68 yards as a team, which ranks 112th in college football. They've run 29 times, averaging 2.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The East Carolina Pirates have been penalized on offense 5 times for 45 yards so far this season, which has them 81st in the country in penalties. They are 94th in the nation in points scored with 23. They have run 95 plays this season for 382 yards, which ranks them 34th in Division 1 in total offense. East Carolina averages 4 yards per play, which is 113th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 29 1st downs this year, placing them 24th overall as an offensive unit.

Defensive Statistics

The East Carolina Pirates rush defense has allowed 31 attempts for 82 yards this year, putting them in 31st place in D-1 against the run. East Carolina has committed 14 penalties for 113 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 124th in college football. They are 82nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 28. They have surrendered a total of 269 yards on D, which is 35th in the country. The Pirates are ranked 49th in yards per play allowed with 4.5. Opposing offenses have completed 17 passes on 29 attempts against the East Carolina defense this season, placing them 52nd and 55th in Division 1. The East Carolina Pirates pass defense has also given up a total of 187 yards through the air, which is 52nd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The East Carolina Pirates punters have totaled 161 yards on 4 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That places them 68th in Division 1 in punting average. East Carolina is ranked 4th in the nation in punt returns with 6. They've accumulated 64 punt return yards and average 10.7 yards per return, which is 36th in college football. They have returned 5 kicks for 98 yards on special teams, ranking 24th in kick return yardage. The East Carolina Pirates average 20 yards per kick return and they are 53rd in the country in all-purpose yards with 544.

Who will win tonight's Tar Heels/Pirates college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Pirates +10.5

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