Categories
NCAA Football

ECU Pirates vs South Carolina Gamecocks NCAA Preview & Free Pick

Week 2 2012 East Carolina vs South Carolina Predictions

The East Carolina Pirates emerged from Week 1 unscathed, collecting an easy win against Appalachian State (at least score wise).  They always schedule up in the non-conference so it is no surprise to see them making the short trip to South Carolina.

East Carolina Pirates vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday September 8
Williams-Brice Stadium – Columbia, SC
12:20PM
Moneyline:  South Carolina -1518, East Carolina +1132
Spread:  South Carolina -22.5
O/U:  Not currently available

Matchup | Preview

East Carolina

These teams met last year in a real barn burner with 93 total points.  The Pirates were dominated but fought hard.  A scenario likely to be repeated again.

It will be interesting to see if East Carolina can come up with the kind of offensive performance they did last year.  QB Dominque Davis has moved on and the receiving corps may not be as explosive as it once was.  Against App State QB Rio Johnson was OK but the offense didn’t dominate, despite the lopsided score.  In fact they were outgained for the contest.  Which is not a good sign heading to SEC country.

Last year these two teams met and ECU was the ATS victor in a game that nearly doubled the total.  ECU has been playing it fast and loose the last couple of season under the new regimes of Ruffin McNeil but this will be the first real test we will have this season to see if that strategy is still in effect and effective.  Tread carefully, week 1 did not show a ton about either of these teams.  [soliloquy id=”82219″]

South Carolina

South Carolina may have big plans this season but they barely escaped the first week intact.  First they lost starting QB Connor Shaw for a portion of the game then they nearly lost the game itself.  Starting the season on the road at an SEC venue – even at Vanderbilt – is a tough way to go.  Hopefully ‘Cock fans will see more of the kind of performance they expect this weekend against the Pirates.

The best thing to take away from the opener is that Marcus Lattimore looked pretty good.  He might have been a bit tentative but with 110 yards and a full workload there is a lot to be excited about.  He was the leading receiver too but that might actually be a problem.  If SC is going to compete with the really big guys in the SEC they need to have a receiver or two emerge.  They have to get some big plays in the passing game and I expect them to open things up more this week where they can take some more chances.

22 points is a big number for a team that scored just 17 points last week.  If you are going to back SC than do so because you think their defense is going to bludgeon the Pirates not because you are expecting an offensive explosion.  A little bit of value on ECU but I would probably look elsewhere on the board this week.

Spread Pick:  ECU +22.5
O/U Pick:
Score Prediction:  South Carolina 35 – East Carolina 24

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP CAPPERS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING THIS SEASON —–>

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.