Free College Football Picks Today: Temple Owls vs East Carolina Pirates 11/26/22

The East Carolina University Pirates (6-5, 3-4 AAC) and Temple University Owls (3-8, 1-6 AAC) face off Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field for their regular season finales. The Pirates are 10.5-point favorites, and the total is 50.

East Carolina is coming off a tough 42-3 loss against No. 25 Houston at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium last Saturday. Holton Ahlers was 15 of 30 for 182 yards. Keaton Mitchell ran 14 times for 128 yards. Jsi Hatfield caught two passes for 68 yards.

Temple lost 23-3 to No. 22 Cincinnati at Lincoln Financial Field last Saturday. E.J. Warner threw for 167 yards and two interceptions. Darvon Hubbard carried seven times for 30 yards. Jordan Smith caught five receptions for 40 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Pirates won the only game between the teams last season, a 45-3 victory in November. Holton Ahlers threw three touchdowns for East Carolina, as Keaton Mitchell added two TDs and Ryan Jones scored twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Pirates are averaging 29.2 points per game for the season, 60th in FBS, and they are facing an Owls defense that has surrendered 27.5 PPG (82nd). Meanwhile, Temple has scored 19.7 points a game this season, 114th in the nation, and East Carolina is allowing 25.3 PPG (57th).

The Pirates rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (286.8, 19th), while they are 54th in rushing yards (165.4). They will be matching strength against strength through the air, as the Owls are 18th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (188.1). Against the run, Temple is 112th (190.1).

Temple has been one of the nation’s least productive rushing teams, averaging 85.6 yards per game (127th), while ranking 52nd in passing yards (244.6). The Pirates are allowing 278.8 passing yards (121st) and 121.7 rushing yards per game (28th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 11 games, Holton Ahlers has thrown for 20 touchdowns (5 INT) and 281.9 yards per game to lead East Carolina in passing. In four away games this season, he has nine TDs (2 INT) and an average of 307.5 yards passing.

Keaton Mitchell leads the team in rushing with an average of 109.6 yards a game over 10 games. He has 10 touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. Isaiah Winstead is the Pirates’ leading receiver with 85.9 yards a game and three TDs.

E.J. Warner has 13 passing touchdowns (11 INT) with 250.1 yards per game through 10 games to lead Temple. In six home games this season, he has thrown for eight TDs (6 INT) and an average of 211.3 yards.

Edward Saydee has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 54.0 yards a game through 11 games. He has five touchdowns. Jose Barbon has been the primary target in the Owls’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 68.2 yard per game average through 11 appearances.