In a game that will help decide who wins the Conference USA title this year the 3-2 East Carolina Pirates and 2-2 Central Florida Knights get it on Thursday night in Orlando (8 pm ET, CBS Sports Network).
In early betting, UCF was favored by 14 points over EC, which is already 2-0 in conference play.
View East Carolina vs Central Florida Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Knights pegged as 13.5-point favorites in this matchup. The total, meanwhile, had yet to be posted as of writing - check the lines shortly.
Power Rankings / Prediction: The Knights sit at No. 50 in the current NCAAF Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the Pirates are at No. 69 on that chart. Math models have concluded that the Knights will win this game 33-21.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Central Florida's No. 53-ranked offense (30.2 PPG) against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 61 at 24 PPG. The Knights passing attack has averaged 239.2 yards per game, less than the Pirates give up through the air (280.4 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Pirates own the league's No. 36-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 117 yards per game when on the road. Central Florida, on the other hand, rates No. 90 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Last time out for East Carolina, they were a 28-18 Sportsbook as they battled Texas El Paso at home. East Carolina covered in the match as a 4-point favorite, while 46 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. In their last game, East Carolina got a 151-yard performance from Vintavious Cooper as a key part of its 28-18 win over Texas El Paso.
Central Florida was a 21-16 loser in their most recent outing at home against Missouri. They failed to cover the 1.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (37) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. In their last game, the Knights were Week 5 losers coming out on the wrong end of 21-16 score against Missouri.
East Carolina Pirates Trends:
When playing in October are 6-4
When playing on grass are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 3-7
When playing within the conference are 6-4
Central Florida Knights Trends:
When playing in October are 7-3
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 3-7
When playing within the conference are 5-5
A few Pirates at Knights trends to consider:
East Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Central Florida
East Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Central Florida's last 10 games at home
Central Florida is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Central Florida's last 19 games
Central Florida is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
East Carolina home to Memphis, Saturday, October 13
Central Florida home to Southern Miss, Saturday, October 13
