Tulsa @ East Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2016 ) East Carolina 24, Tulsa 45

After playing some of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference to their limits, East Carolina finally broke its five-game losing streak against Connecticut. The Pirates will now head back home to take on Tulsa on Saturday in a battle of teams looking for their second conference win.

The Pirates received a huge boost in the form of junior running back Darius Pinnix Jr., who rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns in his return after missing the previous eight games due to injury. "It's great having a bruising running back that can take the game over at times," head coach Mike Houston said of Pinnix. On the other hand, Tulsa struggled in a winnable home game against Houston, generating a net minus-one yard rushing. This matchup does not bode well for the Golden Hurricane as the Pirates held Connecticut running back Kevin Mensah, who had eclipsed 100 yards rushing in his previous three games, to just 75 yards.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Tulsa -5.5.

ABOUT TULSA (3-8, 1-6 AAC): Quarterback Zach Smith’s status was up in the air for the Houston game but he was able to go, throwing for 381 yards and a touchdown as well as two interceptions. Most of Tulsa’s money was made through the air, with both Keylon Stokes (144) and Sam Crawford Jr. (102) reaching season highs in receiving yards. Running back Shamari Brooks, who rushed for at least 55 yards in each game since the season opener, managed just 22 last week.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (4-7, 1-6): While quarterback Holton Ahlers came back down to earth a little bit, tossing two interceptions and just one touchdown, he still threw for 374 yards -- his third-straight game eclipsing the 300-yard mark. Ahlers continued his connection with redshirt freshman wide receiver Tyler Snead, who caught 16 passes against UConn and has 35 catches the last two weeks. The Pirates’ young offensive line has continued to get better, paving the way for Pinnix’s big day and leaving Ahlers with a clean pocket.

EXTRA POINTS

1. East Carolina has won six of eight previous matchups.

2. Tulsa LB Cooper Edmiston has 17 career games with at least 10 tackles for loss, including last week against Houston.

3. East Carolina K Jake Verity has made at least one field goal in each of the last 12 games.

PREDICTION: East Carolina 28, Tulsa 24