Forget the Playoff, ECU Pirates Should Focus on AAC Title

UCF was outstanding last year. In its first season as a member of the AAC, it finished 12-1, with its only loss a close contest to the eventual Capital One Bowl winner South Carolina. The Knights won a bunch of close games where all looked lost; they beat league favorite Louisville and then Baylor 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggests.

Then there’s Marshall. The Thundering Herd are currently tearing up their C-USA schedule, with 15 points the narrowest margin of victory. The rest of the schedule doesn’t look particularly taxing, and if they finish with a loss or two, it would be a major surprise.

However, there is a problem. Marshall is convinced it is worthy enough to be a College Football Playoff contender, and has even hired a public relations firm to enhance its exposure for playoff suitability.

So, you may ask. What the hell does this have to do with East Carolina?

The answer is simple, if a little cold. The Pirates aren’t going to the playoff. They’re a good team, and are ranked No. 20 by the selection committee, but even the spontaneous collegiate combustion of the entire SEC wouldn’t see ECU in the final voting. So East Carolina devotees, my message to is this: Forget about the playoff, and let Marshall vainly chase that pipe dream.

Instead, focus on something more attainable: an AAC title.

With a 6-1 record, the Pirates are virtually assured of a bowl game. It’s just a matter of what bowl game. ECU has five games left on the schedule, and all are winnable, but not without some risks. Temple appears to be cooling off after a hot start , but a trip to Cincinnati should be tough, especially with the Bearcats looking better after a rough three-game stint. Tulane in Greenville and a trip to Tulsa should be manageable, but the big game — whether or not ECU tops Cincinnati — should be UCF at the end of the season.

So there it is — a trip to an at-large New Year’s Six bowl, or the Bitcoin Bowl. I know which I’d choose. The big question now is, what can the Pirates do to stay in the race for a top bowl game?

Take it one game at a time. Ruffin McNeill and the Pirates are saying all the right things, but do they believe them? Temple has its flaws, but it can turn the ball over and cause problems on special teams with the best of them. Lose to the Owls, and you can kiss that New Year’s Six bowl good bye.

Don’t look ahead to Cincinnati. Or UCF for that matter. Spend the week planning for Temple.

That’s just for the team. For everyone else, forget about petitioning about how good your team is. People know this — at least the people who matter do.

ECU beat Virginia Tech and North Carolina, and kept pace with South Carolina for most of the game. That’s a nice resume. Accept that the Pirates’ immediate future doesn’t involve a playoff berth, but that a premier bowl game as a great consolation.

Then, and only then, can we enjoy the Pirates beating the pants off another Power Five opponent.