East Carolina Pirates vs Rice Owls Prediction, 9/30/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: East Carolina Pirates vs Rice Owls

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023

Location: Rice Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (-4)

Total/Over-Under: 51.5

The East Carolina Pirates (1-3) are traveling to Rice Stadium on Saturday, September 30, 2023 where they will compete against the Rice Owls (2-2). Rice opens as 4-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 51.5.

The East Carolina Pirates step onto the field holding a record of 1-3 for this season. In their last matchup, the Pirates played the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs and walked away with a win by a score of 44-0. Javious Bond was the rushing leader for the Pirates with 9 attempts for 65 yards (7.2 yds per carry). Alex Flinn went 8/18 with 94 yds passing and 1 TD. He had a quarterback rating of 106.6 and finished the contest with no interceptions. Against the run, the Pirates gave up 77 yds on 40 tries, which averages out to 1.9 yards per rush surrendered. East Carolina gave up 8 pass completions on 21 attempts for a total of 30 yds, and a completion percentage of 38.1%. For the game, they had 76 plays which converted into 366 yards. The East Carolina Pirates ran the ball 44 times and accrued 182 yds, which had them averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

When it comes to scoring points, the East Carolina Pirates are averaging 22.0 PPG. As a team they average 132.5 yards on the ground which ranks them 94th in college football. The Pirates have tallied 1,130 yards in total for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, East Carolina has compiled 2 touchdowns via the pass and 7 touchdowns on the ground. East Carolina has a total of 62 1st downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 37 infractions for 321 yards. They have surrendered the ball 7 different times.

The Pirates are ranked 82nd in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, allowing 26.0 PPG. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.7 yards per tote and 142.3 yards on the ground per game so far this year. In total, they have conceded 569 rushing yards through 4 games. Regarding passing yards, the Pirates have allowed 812 yds which puts them in 48th in Division 1. They are conceding 203.0 yards per outing via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 61.2%. Overall, they are allowing 345.3 yards per outing ranking them 58th in D-1. They have yielded 7 touchdowns through the air and 7 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Owls come into this game with a record of 2-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Owls took a loss by a score of 42-29 when they faced the USF Bulls. JT Daniels (3 TDs) finished the contest with 432 yards on 27/40 through the air while his QB rate was 183. He didn't toss any picks and his average yards per attempt was 10.8. Juma Otoviano ran the ball 4 times for 12 yds, ending the game with 3.0 yards per carry for Rice. The Owls finished the game with 492 yds and they ran 70 plays (7.0 yards per play). Rice rushed for 0.1 yards per carry, totaling 1 yds on 20 carries. Rice allowed 41 running attempts for 162 yards (4.0 yards per carry). The Owls pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 75.9%, surrendering 435 yards on 22 out of 29 passing.

The Rice Owls are averaging 405.8 yards per contest, which ranks them 60th in Division 1. The Rice offense has racked up 156 penalty yds on 20 violations, which is good for 95th in the country in terms of hurting your team. They maintain an average of 82.0 yards per game on the ground and have run for 328 yards in total. They have given away 3 picks while allowing opponents to recover 2 fumbles and they have been able to earn 76 1st downs. In relation to the points being put on the board, the Owls are 36th in D-1 with 35.3 PPG. For the season so far, the Owls have thrown for a total of 1,295 yards through the air not to mention an average of 323.8 passing yards per outing, ranking them 12th in college football.

The Owls are relinquishing 31.8 points per game, which puts them 110th in Division 1. Rice has allowed the opposition a total of 584 yards via the ground game (146.0 yards per contest) and 8 touchdowns via the rush on the year. This year, they have surrendered 127 points in total. They have surrendered 8 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 274.8 yards per outing, which has them in 118th in Division 1. The Owls defense has taken part in 276 plays, which has them ranked 94th in the country. Their defense has tallied 3 fumbles and 1 pick so far this season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Pirates +4

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