SMU Mustangs vs East Carolina Pirates Prediction, 10/12/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs East Carolina Pirates

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023

Location: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, NC

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Pirates (+12)

Total/Over-Under: 50.5

The SMU Mustangs (3-2) are on their way to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2023 where they will meet the East Carolina Pirates (1-4). East Carolina opens this matchup as 12-point dogs. The total is set at 50.5.

The SMU Mustangs head into this game 3-2 for this season. In their last contest, the Mustangs faced the Charlotte 49ers and earned the victory with a final of 34-16. Preston Stone finished 14/23 with 135 yards passing and 2 TDs. He had a QB rate of 130.2 and ended the game with 1 interception. Jaylan Knighton was the leader on the ground for the Mustangs with 11 carries for 150 yds (13.6 yds per carry). The SMU Mustangs ran the rock 38 times and totaled 228 yds, which earned them an average of 6.0 yards per attempt. When all was said and done, they ran 61 plays for 363 yards. SMU allowed 19 completions on 32 tries for 164 yards, and a completion percentage of 59.4%. Against the run, the Mustangs gave up 167 yds on 42 attempts, which is an average of 4.0 yds per run surrendered.

The Mustangs have earned 2,168 yards in total over the course of this season. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, SMU has compiled 13 passing touchdowns and 7 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the ball over 6 times. SMU has a total of 115 1st downs offensively, and they have been hurt by 27 penalties for 222 yards. As a team they're averaging 177.6 yards on the ground which has them sitting 45th in college football. When it comes to scoring, the SMU Mustangs are averaging 33.8 PPG.

The Mustangs rank 27th in the nation when it comes to their opponents scoring, giving up 18.4 PPG. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.4 yards per rush and 134.0 rushing yards per game for the year. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 670 running yards through 5 contests. When it comes to passing yards, the Mustangs have given up 908 yds which has them ranked 11th in the country. They are giving up 181.6 yards per outing through the air as well as allowing a completion percentage of 63.4%. During the season, they are allowing 315.6 yards per contest which puts them 23rd in college football. They have yielded 9 touchdowns via the pass and 3 touchdowns on the ground.

Get all of our Free College Football Picks

The Pirates step onto the field holding a record of 1-4 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Pirates walked away with a loss by a score of 24-17 against the Rice Owls. Alex Flinn walked away from the game with 246 yds on 21/44 through the air while his QB rating was 90.1. He had 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 5.6. Javious Bond ran the football 7 times for 72 yds, finishing the game with 10.3 yds per attempt for East Carolina. East Carolina rushed for 3.8 yards per carry, finishing with 145 yards on 38 attempts. The Pirates finished the game with 391 yards while running 83 plays (4.7 yds per play). The Pirates pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 55.9%, surrendering 240 yds on 19 out of 34 passing. East Carolina gave up 20 attempts on the ground for 37 yards (1.9 yds per carry).

When it comes to the points being put on the board, the Pirates are sitting 112th in D-1 holding an average of 21.0 points per outing. The East Carolina Pirates hold an average of 304.2 yards per game, which is good for 124th in the nation. The East Carolina offense has 380 penalty yds on 43 infractions, which is good for 20th in Division 1 in terms of making mistakes. They have given away 7 interceptions while letting opponents recover 1 fumble and they have tallied 87 first downs. During this campaign to this point, the Pirates have compiled 846 passing yards not to mention an average of 169.2 passing yards per contest, which ranks 118th in college football. They maintain an average of 135.0 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 675 yards for the year.

The Pirates are allowing 25.6 points per game, which has them 72nd in Division 1. East Carolina has given up a total of 605 yards on the ground (121.0 yards/game) in addition to 8 touchdowns rushing for the year. Overall, they have allowed 128 pts. They have conceded 9 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 210.4 yards/contest, which has them sitting 45th in the nation. The Pirates defense has participated in 319 plays, which ranks 20th in college football. Their defense has tallied 7 fumbles recovered and 2 interceptions for the season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Mustangs -12

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here