East Carolina vs UCF NCAA Football Point Spread Picks 10/19/2019

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Spectrum Stadium

Spectrum Stadium is the site where Dillon Gabriel and the UCF Knights will play the East Carolina Pirates on Saturday. The odds on this game have UCF as 33.5-point favorites. The Pirates are 3-3-0 ATS and 0-6-0 when betting on the total. The Knights are 3-3-0 when wagering on the over/under and 3-3-0 against the spread.

In their last game, the East Carolina Pirates played the Temple Owls and took the loss by a score of 27-17. Demetrius Mauney paced the team on the ground during the game. He tore off a long run of 13 yards but he never crossed the endzone by way of the rush. He scurried for 45 yards by way of 12 carries which gave him an average of 3.8 yards per run. C.J. Johnson was the leader in receiving yardage by racking up 100 yards on 8 receptions. He had an average of 12.5 yards per reception during the game. Running the show from under center for the Pirates was Holton Ahlers who went 19/39 with 229 yards through the air and added 2 touchdowns. He walked away with no picks. The Pirates ran the ball a total of 34 times and earned 98 yards giving them an average of 2.9 yards per rush. On the day, the Pirates racked up a total of 21 first downs and they had 2 infractions for 10 yards telling us that this team was extremely focused in this game. On the day, they totaled 73 plays which gave them a total of 327 yards. In terms of defense, East Carolina allowed 27 completions on 39 throws for a total of 253 yards, and a completion percentage of 69.2%. In the game, they gave up a total of 490 yards and forced 1 takeaway. In the running game, the Pirates allowed 237 yards on 50 runs which gave them an average of 4.7 yards per attempt allowed.

The Pirates head into this matchup 3-3 for this season. For total yardage, they are currently ranked 9th in the conference and 98th in the country with 2,181 yards. They are one of lowest scoring teams in the nation averaging 20.7 points per game, ranking them 112th in the country. As a team, they have an average of 160.8 rushing yards per contest which is 9th in the conference. The Pirates have one of the average defenses in college football, allowing 23.3 points per contest putting them 7th in the conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Pirates have conceded 1,216 yards. Teams are completing 61.7% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 7.2 yards per attempt. In terms of yards on the ground, East Carolina is giving up 165.7 yards per contest putting them 7th in the conference and 78th in D-1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.9 yards per carry which has them at 6th in the American Athletic Conference and 49th in the country overall. In total, they have allowed 994 yards rushing through 6 games.

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In their last contest, the UCF Knights played the Cincinnati Bearcats and were beaten 27-24. Greg McCrae led the team in rushing in the game. He had a long run of 30 yards and he tallied 1 touchdown for the game. He ran for 71 yards by way of 17 carries which had him averaging 4.2 yards per tote. Gabriel Davis was the receiving yardage leader by racking up 170 yards on 13 receptions. He earned an average of 13.1 yards per reception in the game. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Knights was Dillon Gabriel who went 25/46 with 297 yards passing and threw 1 touchdown. He tossed 3 interceptions during the game. The Knights ran the ball 42 times and racked up a total of 126 yards which gave them an average of 3.0 yards per rush. For the contest, the Knights racked up 29 1st downs and they had a total of 5 penalties for 42 yards which is telling of how their week of practice went. Overall, they ran 88 plays for a total of 423 yards. In terms of defense, UCF gave up 17 catches on 31 throws for a total of 149 yards, and a completion percentage of 54.8%. Overall, they conceded a total of 341 yards and earned 1 takeaway. Against the run, the Knights gave up 192 yards on 41 carries which gave them an average of 4.7 yards per rushing attempt allowed.

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The Knights come into this game with a record of 4-2. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Knights have one of the most prolific offenses in the country. UCF has shown the nation they have a formidable rushing attack by averaging 214.8 yards on the ground per game, which has them at 29th in D-1. As a team, they have a total of 1,289 rushing yards through 6 games, so they'll look to continue their dominance on the ground to grind out wins. The Knights average 544.3 yards per contest overall which has them at 3rd in the country and 1st in the conference. The Knights are giving up 20.7 points per game which puts them at 4th in the American Athletic Conference and 33rd in Division 1. In terms of points allowed, they have given up 124 total points. When it comes to yards on the ground, they are giving up 131.7 yards per contest which puts them at 46th in the nation and 4th in the AAC. This year, they have conceded a total of 790 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs. Their passing defense is one of the best groups in the nation. They are conceding 195.8 passing yards per contest. For passing yards allowed per game, the Knights currently sit at 4th in the AAC.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Pirates +33.5

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