ECU vs. UCF Prediction
Will No. 22 Central Florida be able to cover another big spread at home when the Knights play host to East Carolina on Saturday at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, UCF is the heavy favorite in this game, as the Golden Knights are getting odds of -35 points against the Pirates. The over/under total for the game is listed at 72.5 points. UCF has won and covered the spread in three of the four meetings with ECU. Saturday’s game takes place from Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The contest will air live on CBSSN.
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UCF is off to a 4-0 start to the season following a 51-23 win at Cincinnati last week. The Knights are 2-0 in the AAC and 4-0 against the spread as they have won each game by at least 27 points. UCF is putting up 47.5 points and 533.3 yards per game on offense while the defense is allowing 15.8 points and 329.8 yards per game. McKenzie Milton has thrown for 1,165 yards and 13 touchdowns to lead the offense while Tre’Quan Smith has 15 receptions for 337 yards and seven touchdowns. Adrian Killins Jr. is the leading rusher with 239 yards and two scores while Milton also has 192 rushing yards.
ECU is 1-5 on the season following a 34-10 loss to Temple at home last week. The Pirates are just 1-2 in the AAC and 1-5 against the spread. Their lone cover came in a win as they have been the underdog in all six games. The Pirates have one of the worst defenses in the nation, allowing an average of 47.8 points and 599.5 points per game. Offensively, ECU is putting up 22.2 points and 401.7 yards per contest. They actually have a respectable pass offense that is putting up 307.7 yards per game. Thomas Sirk has thrown for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns, but also has seven interceptions. He is also the leading rusher with 145 yards and two scores. Davon Grayson is the leading receivers with 31 catches for 535 yards and five touchdowns.
The Knights are being asked a lot, but they have dominated better teams. They beat Memphis by 27, Cincinnati by 28 and Maryland by 28. ECU is not their league right now either. UCF has covered in five straight against teams with a losing record while the Pirates are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road games. I think UCF can handle the big spread this weekend.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: CENTRAL FLORIDA -35