The East Carolina Pirates (3-2, 1-0 AAC) and Tulane Green Wave (4-1, 1-0) are lined up for a Thursday tilt in New Orleans, Louisiana. The American Athletic Conference contest at Yulman Stadium will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA football odds around the East Carolina vs. Tulane odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
East Carolina is coming off a bye week and looking to continue a momentum that has seen the Pirates go 3-1 over their last 4 games. ECU has been solid on both sides of that ball, but has been especially good on defense in its wins. In their last game (28-6 over Army on Sept. 28), the Pirates held the Black Knights to 290 total yards. ECU has yielded less-than-300 yards in each of its 3 wins.
Tulane, which trails the Pirates 12-8 in a 20-game all-time series, was also idle last week. The Green Wave have thus far drowned out foes with a good running game. They are averaging 205.8 rushing yards per contest (28th in the nation) and have had 3-plus TDs on the ground in 3 games.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
East Carolina at Tulane odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:23 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): East Carolina +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Tulane -225 (bet $225 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): East Carolina +6.5 (-110) | Tulane -6.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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East Carolina at Tulane picks and predictionsPrediction
Tulane 27, East Carolina 24
No interest. PASS.
ECU is 4-2-1 ATS across the last 7 series meetings, and the Pirates are 5-1 ATS since their bowl game last season. Those 5 ATS wins include a 3-0 mark away from home.Tulane is 2-6 ATS over its last 8 home games when lined as a favorite by 7 points or more.East Carolina has been solid on offense although not exactly prolific with its ability to punch value drives into the end zone. Still, the Pirates generally stay ahead of the chains. In their non-blowout games this season, they have been somewhat undone by penalties and turnovers. The nuts and bolts of the drive exchanges have been bigger ECU positives than what shows in final scores.The view of Tulane figures to be overcolored by a plus-7 in turnovers. Tulane has coughed up 24 plays of 20 yards or more; that ranks ninth in the conference. The Pirates have been better in keeping plays in front of them and have shown an ability to come up with big plays, especially in the pass game.Peg the Under as a solid play in this one and that helps slot EAST CAROLINA +6.5 (-110) as a value play here.
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The Under has gone 7-1 in ECU’s last 8 and 4-2 across TU’s last 6. And 6 of the last 7 series meetings have cashed on the Under.
Expect Tulane, which plays at a methodical pace, as having a tight lead late. Both sides excel in red-zone defense.
The UNDER 53.5 (-110) is a strong play in this midweek AAC contest.
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