We’re into Week 11 of the college football season, and the Florida Atlantic Owls are still looking for road win No. 1 when they visit the East Carolina Pirates on Thursday night at Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The Pirates have been great in their home confines, going 3-1, which is a big reason why they’re hefty 7.5-point favorites. Our Florida Atlantic vs. East Carolina predictions agree with the line, as the Pirates are taking on the only team yet to post a win in American Athletic Conference play.
Read below for our Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina preview, including our free college football picks, for Thursday, November 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina prediction and best bet
My best bet
East Carolina -7.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
My analysis
After surrendering 100 total points across back-to-back losses, the East Carolina Pirates found their way back into the win column with a 56-34 win over Temple.
It was a big passing day for quarterback Katin Houser, who threw for 269 yards and five TDs. In two full starts since replacing an ineffective Jake Garcia, he’s thrown for 551 yards and eight scores against three interceptions.
He’ll be tested by a decent FAU pass D, which surrenders just 194 pass yards per game, but Houser’s jersey should stay relatively clean. The Owls are 120th in the nation in sacks.
With a bye week to prepare, the Pirates should be trying to incorporate the ground game into the mix.
East Carolina is 10th in the AAC with 133.6 rush yards per game, but Florida Atlantic is one of college football’s worst run defenses, giving up 215.5 yards on the ground per contest.
FAU is reeling, having dropped three straight and four of the last five, getting lit up in the process.
The latest was a 44-21 demolition at the hands of South Florida. Over those four losses, the Owls are giving up 42.8 points per game, upping their season defensive scoring mark to 30.1 points per game.
They’ve also surrendered over 1,000 rushing yards across those losses, including 300+ to South Florida and over 400 to UConn.
With a Bowl game very much in play, taking winnable games is essential for the Pirates, and this is one of the softer landings on their schedule.
The Owls are just 1-4-0 against the spread in their last five, while East Carolina has covered three of its last four.
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina same-game parlay (SGP)
East Carolina -7.5
Cam Fancher Under 198.5 passing yds
Rahjai Harris Over 72.5 rushing yds
Florida Atlantic QB Cam Fancher is coming off one of his best performances, throwing for 306 yards and a score vs South Florida.
That’s just the second time he’s topped 300 passing yards in a game this season, going for 351 yards passing, three TDs, and an interception two weeks ago against North Texas.
You won’t be surprised to know Fancher had those big games against two of the four worst pass defenses in the AAC. Take away those and he’s gone Under his 198.5-yard passing line in seven other performances on the year.
East Carolina is ninth in the AAC in passing yards allowed, but it'll face an FAU offensive line that is tied for second-worst in sacks allowed in the conference.
Let’s finish with Pirates RB Rahjai Harris, who ran all over Temple for 130 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
It’s only the second time Harris has hit the century mark, running for 131 and two TDs early in the year against Old Dominion.
Still, he has a generous rushing line of 72.5 and faces a Swiss-cheese Owls run defense that gives up a conference-worst 5.3 yards per carry.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina odds
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina live odds
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina opening odds
- Florida Atlantic vs. East Carolina spread: East Carolina -7.5
- Florida Atlantic vs. East Carolina moneyline: Florida Atlantic +230, East Carolina -300
- Florida Atlantic vs. East Carolina Over/Under: 55.5
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina spread and Over/Under analysis
- Florida Atlantic has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games against conference opponents.
- East Carolina is 3-1-0 at home this season, covering the spread in all three wins.
- The Under has hit in two all-time meetings between these schools.
- The Owls have gone Over the total in three straight, while the Pirates have gone Over in four of five.
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina betting trend to know
The Owls have lost each of their last eight games against conference opponents. Find more college football betting trends for Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina.
Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina game info
| Location: | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC |
| Date: | Thursday, 11-7, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN2 |
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