East Carolina Pirates 2022 College Football Preview

East Carolina Pirates 2022 College Football Preview

July 8, 2022

2021 Recap

Record – 7-5

ATS – 7-5

ARRRRRRR, Shiver Me Timbers!

The Pirates banked their first winning season since 2014 (!) and finished the campaign with a mark of 7-5. They rattled off four straight wins in the second half before dropping the season finale to the devastating Cincinnati Bearcats (L 35-13). They were denied an opportunity to go for an eighth win in the Military Bowl when it was canceled due to the totally surprising ineffectiveness of wearing masks and the DEATH JAB PROTOCOL $$.

You still gotta figure that East Carolina has confidence heading into 2022. ARRRRRR!


East Carolina Pirates 2022 Outlook

OFFENSE

East Carolina was decent on offense LY (#39 FBS total offense, #54 scoring offense) and they have two-thirds of the THREE HEADED MONSTER back in 2022. Veteran QB Holton Ahlers is coming off a good season (62%, 18-10 TD to INT, 6 rush TD) but it would help if he could cut down on the INT. RB Keaton Mitchell was devastating (1,132, 9 TD) and averaged an impossible 6.5 YPC LY. They lose #1 WR Tyler Snead and it remains to be seen if they have a true #1 THROW GAME option on the roster. At least the Pirates got some good news with the return of CJ Johnson (35, 520, TD) from suspension in May. Three starters return up front and West Virginia transfer Parker Moorer might be the starting left tackle in week one. They’ll need to clean up things in the sack department if they wanna be more efficient (37, 2nd worst AAC).

DEFENSE

The Pirates made big strides LY and allowed 26.3 PPG (#4 AAC) after yielding 35.4, 33.7, 37.3, 45.0 (!), 36.1 the previous 5Y. The defense features eight returning starters including six in the front seven and they’re very experienced up front, albeit still a bit undersized. The LB unit is a productive and veteran group (Berry, Lewis, Smith) but our concern is a secondary that loses a pair of starters including their outstanding AA CB JaQuan McMillian (#2 tackler, 5 INT, 16 PBU LY). We know, we know…..you’ve heard this before, but this defense appears to be an “average” AAC bunch. We like the potential up front, but it’s never great to lose your best defensive player.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Owen Daffer is a KILLER (1st team AAC, 19-23 FG LY) but they need to find a new primary KR and PR. Losing punter John Young is also a tough blow (43.1, 40.4 net).

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The Pirates should be able to get off to a good start with four straight home games but the 2nd half is much tougher. They draw all three BIG ‘UNS from the AAC but get to face Houston and UCF at home.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 28 – at BYU

Provo is always a nasty road environment and this contest pops up in the middle of AAC action.

Season Win Total

Lean: Over

Over 6 -140

Under 6 +110

MEGALOCKS says:

It’s not one of our favorite leans at first glance but they should be able to bag a good number of wins before November rolls around. 51 of our 67 models have them winning six games or more with the most popular outcome being ‘6’.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

The streak continues, yo. East Carolina hasn’t tasted bowl victory since 2013 when they defeated Ohio in the world famous BEEF O’BRADY’S BOWL (W 37-20).


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

It’s great to see these guys becoming a factor in the AAC. Keep in mind that they lost five games last year but two of those games were REALLY close affairs vs good opponents (South Cackalacky, Houston). We don’t expect them to challenge for a conference title but we’d be disappointed if they didn’t get to a bowl game.

ARRRRRRRR! Go Pirates!


Want more East Carolina football ?

WEBSITE

https://ecupirates.com/index.aspx?path=football

FORUM

http://chat.eastcarolina.sportswar.com/message_board/ecubanter/

http://eastcarolina.247sports.com/Board/East-Carolina-Pirates-Message-Board-Forum-59438

https://eastcarolina.forums.rivals.com/forums/pillage-n-plunder.8/

NEWS

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/aac/east-carolina-university/

http://bonesville.net/

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/151/east-carolina-pirates