The 2014 campaign hasn’t been going according to plan for the East Carolina Pirates. Back-to-back losses have set back the dream season, but there couldn’t be a better recipe for success this weekend than to face Tulane.
Tulane’s season hasn’t panned out the way it would have wanted either. As the losses mount up for the Green Wave, I am expecting a big game from the Pirates. Here are five bold predictions for ECU:
1. Justin Hardy Will Make History
I know what you’re thinking: this isn’t that bold of a statement. You’re absolutely right, it’s not. However, I needed something getting my creative juices flowing and this is a great start. Hardy is only four catches from NCAA football immortality and it is hardly being talked about, so I wanted it to be known that he will break the all-time receptions record in the first drive. That is what makes this a bold prediction: He will capture the record on the first drive of the game and will cap it off with a touchdown.
2. Shane Carden Will Throw for Over 400 Yards
Carden has already made history for East Carolina by becoming the all-time passing leader and has the most games with over 400 yards. I do not see a reason why he cannot throw for over 400 yards in this game. He has a lot to prove in the closing portion of the season and impress the scouts with his arm and prove that he can play at the next level. Carden needs to start by making his team look great against bad teams, something that hasn’t happened in the conference schedule.
3. Breon Allen Will Rush for Over 200 Yards
This might be my boldest prediction of the game. Allen is certainly capable of running for that much yardage, but there have been times this season that he hasn’t produced like I thought he would. The Tulane defense will not be able to handle his speed. Tulane has given up an average of 166.4 rushing yards per game and I believe that Allen’s speed and elusiveness is going to get him to that higher benchmark.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ROLAFR2Eg?list=UUBV9bFELPEbVZRdtWofBX2Q]4. East Carolina’s Defense Will Smother Tulane
I know that I have been quite the critic of the Pirate defense, especially with the secondary. I have thought all season that the secondary is what has cost them games and have given up too many big plays when it mattered. The jury may be still out on that verdict, but on average, the unit is only giving up 264.1 yards per game. Since football has shifted to pass heavy recently, that is an accomplishment. The defense will play better this week and especially in stopping the pass. Tulane averages only 196.3 yards of passing per game and 160.7 on rushing with ECU averaging 102.7 given up on the ground. That alone tells me the defense is primed and ready for a big showing and it will be the best showing of the year.
5. The Pirates Will Dominate from Start to Finish
East Carolina is going to throttle Tulane from the start to the very end. This team is going to be playing inspired football; it went from being talked of playing in a New Year’s Six bowl to losing two in a row and a shot at the conference crown. The Pirates want and need to legitimize the big wins that came during the first part of the season so that they can still have a choice postseason destination.
Final score prediction: ECU: 56, Tulane: 17
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