- The East Carolina Pirates are hefty 14-point favorites over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane Thursday night
- The Pirates are one win away from bowl eligibility
- Read below for East Carolina vs Tulsa betting line, prediction and pick
The East Carolina Pirates (5-4, 3-2 AAC), can lock in a bowl berth if they can win on the road Thursday night against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-6, 1-4 AAC).
East Carolina has ripped off two wins in row, while the Golden Hurricane have dropped four of their last five.
No surprise then, that the Pirates are pegged as hefty double-digit favorites in the college football odds.
Can the suddenly potent Pirate offense batter one of college football’s worst defenses? Read below for our East Carolina vs Tulsa preview and best bet.
East Carolina vs Tulsa Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Carolina Pirates | -14.0 (-115) | -600 | O 62.5 (-110) |
| Tulsa Golden Hurricane | +14.0 (-105) | +430 | U 62.5 (-110) |
The Pirates, sitting Top 6 in scoring in the American Athletic Conference, are 14-point road favorites in a game featuring a total of 62.5.
Odds as of November 13 at Caesars Sportsbook. Odds as of November 12 at 10:00 pm ET. Be sure to check out the best sportsbook promotions before placing a bet on any Week 12 College Football matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm ET at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with ESPN broadcasting the game.
Pirates Take Advantage of AAC Slate
East Carolina’s late-season moves may have salvaged the season. It started with replacing ineffective starting quarterback Jake Garcia with sophomore Katin Houser.
Houser got his first start three weeks ago, and while he fared well, the Pirates were crushed by then-23rd Army 45-28.
That cost head coach Mike Houston his job, with defensive coordinator Blake Harrell taking over on an interim basis.
Count em up @showtimejet pic.twitter.com/DLRAT5o0Ov
— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) November 8, 2024
The change was made as the Pirates enter what feels like the softest part of their schedule, and they have taken off. They dusted lowly Temple 56-34, then followed it up last week with a 49-14 thumping of FAU.
Houser has been outstanding in the wins, throwing five TD passes in each, while throwing for better than 269 yards in each of his three starts.
ECU vs Tulsa Prop Bets to Consider
Houser is the main weapon to target for props here. He has thrown for at least three touchdowns in each of his three starts, and he draws one of the worst defenses in college football Thursday.
Tulsa ranks outside the Top 125 in yards per game, while giving up a chunky 6.7 yards per play. It’s passing defense is among the worst in the nation, allowing 308.6 yards per contest.
1 on 1 with @GlobalAnt_26 is a dangerous game 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/IZWUbuwVzQ
— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) November 8, 2024
The Golden Hurricane have allowed 28 TD passes against, six clear of second-to-last UTSA. Houser’s TD line for Tulsa is a very gettable 2.5. He should have his way with this defense, and continue this upward trend of TD passes.
One of Houser’s top targets is receiver Anthony Smith, who has not only picked up back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, but has a TD catch in three straight games.
Buyer’s choice here: Smith has -118 odds to score an anytime TD, and -121 odds to go Over 68.5 receiving yards. I believe he clears both against the Golden Hurricane.
- Pick: Smith anytime TD (-118)
East Carolina vs Tulsa Prediction
I’m just not sure how Tulsa is going to be able to keep up with East Carolina.
Over the last five games, the Golden Hurricane have been held to 21 points or less in four of them, including their most recent loss, a 59-21 drubbing to UAB – a school that ranks eighth in scoring in the AAC at 25.9 points per game.
Tulsa has the worst scoring defense in the conference, getting lit up for 38.4 points per game.
They don’t have an offense built to outscore their problems, as they rank Bottom 5 in the AAC, scoring 24.8 points per game.
East Carolina caught the wave at the right time, and its air attack, which ranks third in the AAC, posting 272.7 yards per game and 21 TD passes, should shred this hapless Tulsa defense en route to a third-straight blowout.
- Pick: East Carolina -14.0 (-115)
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The East Carolina Pirates are set to take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in a Thursday night college football matchup that is sure to be a thrilling contest. Both teams are coming off of wins in their previous games and will be looking to continue their momentum in this crucial conference matchup.
The Pirates are currently 2-2 on the season and are coming off of a dominant 52-29 victory over Charleston Southern. Quarterback Holton Ahlers had a standout performance, throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns. The Pirates’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders, averaging 33.5 points per game, and will look to continue their high-scoring ways against Tulsa.
On the other side, the Golden Hurricane are also 2-2 on the season and are coming off of a close 41-34 victory over Arkansas State. Quarterback Davis Brin has been a key player for Tulsa, throwing for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. The Golden Hurricane have a balanced offensive attack, averaging 31.8 points per game, and will look to test the Pirates’ defense in this matchup.
In terms of predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance on offense and have the ability to put up points in a hurry. The key for East Carolina will be to contain Tulsa’s passing attack and force turnovers, while Tulsa will need to establish a strong running game to keep the Pirates’ defense on their toes.
As for the odds, East Carolina is currently listed as a slight underdog, with Tulsa being favored by 3.5 points. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 63.5, indicating that oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring affair.
In terms of props, bettors may want to consider wagering on the total points scored in the game, as both teams have shown the ability to put up points in bunches. Additionally, prop bets on individual player performances, such as total passing yards or touchdowns thrown, could also be worth considering.
Overall, this Thursday night matchup between East Carolina and Tulsa is shaping up to be an exciting and closely contested game. With both teams looking to continue their winning ways, fans can expect a high-scoring affair with plenty of fireworks on offense. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in this crucial conference showdown.
