FAU vs East Carolina Prediction, Odds & Best Bets (Nov. 7)

• We’ve made our FAU vs East Carolina prediction for Thursday night
• The latest Thursday night AAC odds favor the Pirates by 7.5 points
• Read below for FAU vs ECU prediction,odds and best bets

The Florida Atlantic Owls (2-6, 0-4 AAC) head to Greenville, North Carolina to take on the East Carolina Pirates (4-4, 2-2 AAC) in an American Athletic Conference clash on Thursday, November 7. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM ET at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and you can catch all the action on ESPN2.

This prime-time Thursday night matchup features two teams with leaky defenses coming off wild, high-scoring affairs. FAU has dropped three straight while getting torched for 123 points in that span, while ECU just lit up Temple in a 56-34 shootout.

With offensive firepower and defensive question marks on both sides, this game is shaping up to be a high-scoring battle under the lights.

FAU vs East Carolina Prediction

FAU enters this game reeling after a 44-21 loss to USF. The Owls rank near the bottom nationally in scoring defense, allowing 30.1 points per game. In their last three contests, all double-digit losses, they’ve surrendered a whopping 42.8 points per game. FAU’s run defense has been especially poor, giving up over 240 rushing yards per game.

However, the Owls have some explosive playmakers on offense. Running back CJ Campbell Jr. is a dual threat, with eight rushing TDs and over 30 yards per game receiving. Quarterback Cam Fancher just threw for 306 yards against USF and has the weapons to exploit ECU’s vulnerable defense.

ANOTHER ONE 🤯

Third TD on the night for @cjcampbelljr_ !

📺 ESPN2#WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/Ah1vjrS6C2

— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) November 2, 2024

Speaking of vulnerable defenses, ECU hasn’t fared much better, allowing 28.4 points per game. Their pass defense ranks 90th nationally and the Pirates have given up over 45 points to the likes of Temple, Army, and Charlotte. But there’s a silver lining in Greenville.

Interim head coach Blake Harrell took over two games ago, and the ECU offense has taken off. New starting QB Katin Houser has thrown for 551 yards and 8 TDs in his two starts. The Pirates are pushing the pace, averaging just 20 seconds between plays. This high-tempo attack, coupled with FAU’s defensive woes, sets the stage for a potential shootout.

Back in the win column 😤 pic.twitter.com/2NdoOcd9RP

— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) October 26, 2024

The total opened at 55.5, but sharp money has pushed it up to 58.5 – a clear sign the wiseguys are expecting fireworks. Both teams have sailed over the total in three straight. Given these explosive offenses and struggling defenses, I’m riding with the over.

• Prediction: Over 58.5 points (-115)

With two bottom-tier defenses and explosive offenses hitting their stride, this game has all the makings of a back-and-forth shootout. ECU’s fast-paced attack and FAU’s big-play ability should lead to plenty of points. Expect a game in the 60s or even 70s, comfortably surpassing the 58.5 point total.

FAU vs ECU Odds

Despite ECU’s .500 record compared to FAU’s 2-6 mark, the Pirates are favored by 7.5 points at home. The odds imply a 74.1% chance of an ECU victory. Several factors contribute to ECU being favored:

1. Home-field advantage: ECU is 3-1 at home, while FAU is 0-3 on the road.
2. Coaching change spark: ECU is 1-0 under interim coach Blake Harrell, and the offense has come alive.
3. FAU’s defensive struggles: The Owls rank near the bottom in scoring defense and rush defense.
4. Preparation: ECU is coming off a bye week, while FAU is on a short week after playing Friday.

The over/under is set at 58.5 points, up from an opening line of 55.5, signaling expectations of a high-scoring game. Both teams have gone over in three straight and four of their last five. ECU home games are averaging 64.3 points while FAU road games are averaging 63 points.

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Odds as of Nov. 7, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook.

Florida Atlantic vs East Carolina Head to Head

The Owls have had the Pirates’ number in their brief history, winning both prior meetings. But it’s been a while since these teams have squared off, so let’s dive into the tale of the tape.

Last year, FAU went into Greenville and stunned the Pirates 22-7 as 7.5-point underdogs. The Owls’ defense put the clamps on ECU, and the game fell well short of the 44.5-point total.

But that was then, and this is now. FAU’s stop unit hasn’t been nearly as stingy in 2024, and ECU’s offense has found a new gear under QB Katin Houser and interim head coach Blake Harrell.

Back in 2013, in the first-ever meeting between these programs, ECU defended its home turf with a 31-13 victory. But even in defeat, FAU covered as a hefty 19-point underdog. Once again, points were at a premium, as the game stayed under the lofty 56.5-point total.

So while the Owls have bragging rights in the all-time series (2-0), the teams have split against the spread (1-1). And both prior meetings have gone under the total.

But I wouldn’t put too much stock in those historical unders. The way these offenses are clicking, and with both defenses struggling mightily, I’m predicting a good old-fashioned shootout under the Thursday night lights.