The University of South Florida Bulls (1-3, 1-1 Home) kick off their American Athletic Conference schedule against the East Carolina University Pirates (2-2, 0-1 AAC) at FAU Stadium on Saturday in a matchup that pits the AAC’s toughest rush defense against one of its top ground offenses. The Pirates are 9.5-point favorites, and the total is 57. East Carolina is coming off a close 23-20 loss at the hands of Navy at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium last Saturday. Holton Ahlers was 22 of 34 for 267 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Rahjai Harris ran 15 times for 75 yards. Isaiah Winstead caught 11 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. South Florida lost 41-3 to Louisville at Cardinal Stadium last Saturday. Gerry Bohanon threw for 110 yards and two interceptions. K’Wan Powell carried eight times for 45 yards. Yusuf Terry had four receptions for 38 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Pirates won the only game between the teams last season, a 29-14 victory in October. Ahlers tossed one touchdown for East Carolina, as Harris added a rushing TD.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Pirates are averaging 32.0 points per game so far this season, 61st in FBS, and they are facing a Bulls defense that has surrendered 35.5 PPG (114th). Meanwhile, South Florida has scored 23.5 points a game this season, 102nd in the nation, and East Carolina is allowing 18.8 PPG (32nd).The Pirates rank 38th in the country in passing yards per game (278.3) and 43rd in rushing (185.8). They will look to take advantage on the ground, as the Bulls are 128th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (245.5). Against the pass, South Florida is 64th (220.5).South Florida has been one of the country’s least successful passing teams, averaging 154.3 passing yards per game (118th), while ranking 63rd in rushing yards (165.0). The Pirates are allowing 234.5 passing yards (78th) and 110.5 rushing yards per game (36th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, Ahlers has thrown for nine touchdowns (3 INT) and 268.5 yards per game to lead East Carolina in passing. Keaton Mitchell leads the team in rushing with an average of 94.8 yards a game over four games. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Winstead is the Pirates’ leading receiver with 99.2 yards a game and one TD. Bohanon is averaging 142.2 passing yards per game through four games to lead South Florida. Brian Battie has been the team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 73.8 yards a game through four games. He has three touchdowns. Xavier Weaver has been a key target in the Bulls’ passing game, averaging 84.0 yards per game through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
ECU (-350)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
