Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates Preview
This Week 13 Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates preview notes that this game has a lot riding on it. The Bearcats would like to have a massively convincing win against the Pirates, as this will help them secure a berth in the CFP. The #4 Cincinnati Bearcats (11-0 Overall, 7-0 AAC) are looking to finish the season undefeated. Doing so, would tie them with the Houston Cougars for first place in the conference. The Cougars, who are overall 10-1, have one more non-conference game to play. That game, which is against UConn, takes place on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 12:00 pm ET. The Bearcats’ opponent, the East Carolina Pirates (7-4 Overall, 5-2), are third in the AAC. A win today could help them get a berth in a more prestigious bowl.
Kickoff will be Friday, November 26, 2021 at 3:30 pm ET. The game will be played at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, NC. The forecast at game time is for partly cloudy skies clearing with temperatures in mid 50s and zero chance of precipitation. The winds will be 11 mph from the NW.
Bearcats vs Pirates Pick – Key Stats
Our Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates preview notes that the Cats are scoring nine more points per game than the Pirates. Plus, they are allowing 10-and-a-half fewer points that ECU. Both teams have explosive offenses with Cincinnati averaging 429.2 YPG and the Pirates 446.9. ECU is averaging 25 more passing yards than Cincy, while the Cats are good for 179.9 rushing YPG and the Pirates are averaging 172.3 YPG. Defensively, Cincinnati has a major advantage, giving up 155.5 YPG in passing to ECU’s 390.4. The Bearcats are also allowing 149.8 YPG on the ground. The Pirates are permitting opponents 164.5 YPG in rushing.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates Preview – Players
Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder ( 66.5 COMP%, 25 TDs, 6 INTs, 16 SCKs), a senior, has a major edge over ECU’s junior QB Holton Ahlers (63.0 COMP%, 17 TDs, 9 INT, 32 SCKs). Ridder is also a rushing threat. Ridder has six productive pass catchers to toss to, including wideout Alec Pierce (40 REC, 6 TDs) and tight end Josh Whyle (21 REC, 6 TDs). For the Pirates, Ahlers will look to connect with wide receiver Tyler Snead (61 REC, 4 TDs) and tight end Ryan Jones (32 REC, 5 TDs).
Also for ECU, dual threat running back Keaton Mitchell has 22 catches for 252 yards and one score. On the ground, he’s totalled 1,077 yards and nine scores. Mitchell is averaging 6.9 YPA. Jerome Ford anchors the ground game for Cincy, scoring 16 TDs while averaging 6.0 YPA.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates Preview - Final Word
Our Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates preview does like the Cats at -14.0. The Cincinnati D is superior. Plus, they have a deeper group of receivers and at QB Ridder is more mobile and efficient than Ahlers. PF/PA favor the #4 Bearcats heavily.
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Summary – Cincinnati Bearcats vs East Carolina Pirates Projection:
Point Spread – Cincinnati Bearcats at -14.0 (-110)
