The Pirates are the third best team in the country in order of margin of cover as they are 4-0 against the spread but by an impressive average of 14 points per game. Margin of cover measure how far behind the oddsmakers are on how good/bad a team is.

But ECU continues to get better covering their last two by a combined 46.5 points per game. SMU is an unmitigated disaster missing each of their four games by 13.5 or more. They are the worst against the spread team in the nation by a stunning (-22.9 points per game).

SMU averages 31 carries for 44 rushing yards per game. Ouch. ECU is great on both offense and defense getting 7.5 yards per play to teams normally allowing 6.4 but holding teams to well below their normal averages on yards per rushing attempt, yards per play, and yards per play.

Going against teams after allowing 6.5 or more rushing yards per attempt in two straight games is 85-46 against the spread. ECU has plenty of motivation to make a statement as the game will be the first as a member of the American Athletic Conference for coach Ruffin McNeill and his 23rd-ranked Pirates.