Bet On Football – East Carolina Continues Conference Title Defense Versus Memphis

The Pirates welcome the Tigers to town this Saturday in Greenville, North Carolina for their second straight game against a Conference USA opponent. East Carolina has won the conference title the past two seasons, and despite a tough schedule and major changes to the program, appear determined to prove their worth as the top team. Memphis is undergoing similar changes to its program, and will be looking to rebound with a better effort after getting blown away in their opener. 

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 60% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

Memphis Tigers @ East Carolina Pirates
Saturday September 11, 2010 – 12:00 PM ET
Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium, Greenville, North Carolina
Broadcast: WITN, CSS
Bet On Football: Memphis +12.5, East Carolina -12.5
Total: 57 

Bet On Football: What Memphis Will Have To Do To Win 

Similar to the situation in East Carolina, the Tigers lost a plethora of lettermen before the season and are in the midst of transitioning coaching schemes on both sides of the ball. The difference is that Memphis finished with just one win a year ago, compared to the Pirates’ seven, and lack the talent and depth of their Conference USA East division opponent. Memphis was blow away in their season opener at Mississippi State, but that may not be the most appropriate gauge considering the Bulldogs operate in the powerhouse SEC. The running game was limited to an average of less than two yards per carry in the season opener, and must prove that they are better than those numbers to have any chance of keeping it close with East Carolina. 

Bet On Football: What East Carolina Will Have To Do To Win 

The Pirates had reason to celebrate following a season-opening home win over Tulsa, who was predicted by many to finish with a better record than East Carolina in the Conference USA. The 51-49 win sets the tone for the Pirates, who welcome the second straight C-USA opponent to Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium this Saturday in the Tigers, who are coming off a 1-7 season in 2009. The Pirates may have been a little underrated heading in to this season after winning consecutive Conference USA titles, but the loss of more letterman than any other school in the FBS and drastic scheme changes on both sides of the ball were reason to believe this may be the year East Carolina’s run ended. The Pirates follow this game up with a couple of tough challenges in road games at number-13 Virginia Tech and North Carolina, so it will be crucial to their season to get the win here. 

Bet On Football: Outlook & Pick 

The Pirates are a focused and determined group this season after many critics projected they were going through too much as a team to compete for a third straight Conference USA title. East Carolina prevailed in a close win over a stronger opponent in the Golden Hurricane, and should be able to walk through Memphis to open the season on track to defend their conference title for a third straight year. 

Bet Bet On Football: East Carolina -12.5