Houston Cougars vs East Carolina Pirates Prediction, 11/19/2022 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Houston Cougars vs East Carolina Pirates

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022

Location: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, NC

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Pirates (-6.5)

Total/Over-Under: 67

The Houston Cougars (6-4) are on their way to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday where they will attempt to defeat the East Carolina Pirates (6-4). East Carolina is 6.5-point favorites. The total comes in at 67.

The Houston Cougars come into this matchup with a record of 6-4 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Cougars played against the Temple Owls and earned the victory with a final of 43-36. Stacy Sneed was the best rusher for the Cougars with 11 attempts for 143 yds (13.0 yds per attempt). Clayton Tune connected on 29/40 with 289 yds through the air and 3 TDs. He had a QB rating of 152.9 and finished the game with 1 pick. On the ground, the Cougars gave up 47 yds on 26 tries, which is an average of 1.8 yards per run surrendered. Houston relinquished 42 pass completions on 59 attempts for a total of 486 yds, and a completion percentage of 71.2%. Once the final whistle blew, they had 66 plays which gave them 485 yds. The Houston Cougars ran the ball 26 different times and accrued 196 yds, which is an average of 7.5 yards per carry.

The Cougars have attained 4,542 yards in total for the season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Houston has totaled 31 touchdowns through the air and 15 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 17 times. Houston has earned 233 1st downs as a unit, and they have committed 84 infractions for 749 yards. Offensively they hold an average of 151.0 yards rushing ranking them 68th in Division 1. When talking about putting points on the board, the Houston Cougars have an average of 37.4 PPG.

When talking about yards through the air, the Cougars are allowing 2,915 yards which puts them in 127th in Division 1. They are giving up 291.5 yards per outing through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 65.1%. Over the course of this season, they are giving up 441.4 yards per outing putting them 114th in college football. They have relinquished 28 touchdowns through the air and 17 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.1 yards per rush and 149.9 rushing yards per game on the season. During the season, they have conceded 1,499 yards via the ground game in 10 contests. The Cougars are ranked 123rd in D-1 when it comes to their opponents scoring, giving up 36.2 PPG.

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The Pirates head into this game 6-4 for this year. The last time they took the gridiron, the Pirates took a loss by a final score of 27-25 when they faced the Cincinnati Bearcats. Holton Ahlers (2 TDs) ended the contest with 280 yds on 26/46 passing while his quarterback rating was 122. He didn't throw any picks and his Y/A was 6.1. Keaton Mitchell ran the ball 16 times for 112 yds, finishing the game with 7.0 yards per carry for East Carolina. East Carolina rushed for 5.3 yards per tote, finishing the contest with 174 yards on 33 attempts. The Pirates finished the contest with a total of 454 yds while they ran 79 plays (5.7 yds per play). The Pirates pass defense allowed a completion rate of 45.2%, surrendering 244 yds on 14 out of 31 passing. East Carolina surrendered 26 attempts on the ground for 66 yards (2.5 yards per rush).

When it comes to their ability to score points, the Pirates currently sit 44th in the country by scoring 31.8 PPG. During this campaign thus far, the Pirates have earned 2,951 yards via the pass not to mention holding an average of 295.1 throwing yards per outing, which ranks 16th in Division 1. The East Carolina Pirates maintain an average of 465.9 yards/outing, which has them sitting 20th in the nation. The East Carolina offense has totaled 319 yards of penalties on 41 violations, which is 127th in D-1 in terms of making mistakes.

East Carolina has allowed a total of 1,209 yards via the ground game (120.9 yards per game) and 9 touchdowns via the rush for the year. They have allowed 17 touchdowns via the pass and 262.0 yards/outing, which has them ranked 109th in Division 1. The Pirates defense has been on the field for 652 plays, which ranks 35th in the country. The Pirates are conceding 23.6 PPG, which has them 45th in college football. This year, they have allowed 236 pts.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Cougars +6.5

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