Free Pick | NCAA | Thursday | Nov. 7

#112 East Carolina -7.5 over FAU 7:00 PM CT

After making a coaching change East Carolina blasted Temple with 56 points scored before last week’s bye. The Pirates will have the opportunity to pick up wins in the next two games to climb to 6-4, with next week’s game at Tulsa before two more difficult tests to close November against North Texas and Navy. East Carolina is 3-1 S/U at home and the only loss was a wild September game with Appalachian State that they led 16-0 in. Florida Atlantic came up short in last week’s prime time game with South Florida and the Owls have had brutal run defense in recent weeks, allowing 5.7 yards per carry. The switch to Katin Houser at quarterback has reduced the sack rate for the Pirates and Houser has thrown as many touchdown passes as Jake Garcia had in nearly half as many attempts. Rahjai Harris ran for 130 yards in the game and the opportunity against a shaky FAU run defense that allowed 319 rushing yards last week should allow the Pirates to have a balanced attack. FAU’s only FBS win came at home against Florida International while +5 in turnovers as Tom Herman’s once great collegiate record continues to erode. In the past two road games the Owls have been outscored 86-38 and a fourth straight defeat seems likely for a program that is 5-21 S/U on the road since 2020.