Cincinnati vs. East Carolina Prediction, Game Preview

The East Carolina Pirates (5-6) will be looking to join the Cincinnati Bearcats (6-5) in the postseason this weekend in Greenville. Check out the Cincinnati vs. East Carolina prediction and game preview.

Cincinnati vs. East Carolina Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, North Carolina
Network: CBS Sports Network

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Why You Need To Care

Despite being stampeded by South Florida, 65-27, last Friday night, Cincinnati is bowl eligible, having won its sixth game two weeks ago. East Carolina hopes to join the Bearcats win a win at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Neither program has performed up to its usual standard in 2015, laboring to transcend above mediocrity. A victory for ECU, which last week snapped a three-game losing streak, would result in a fourth consecutive bowl appearance under Ruffin McNeill.

Why Cincinnati Will Win

The offense is loaded with quality weapons surrounding QB Gunner Kiel. The Bearcats are fourth nationally in total offense, averaging 571 yards per game. Kiel will bounce back from last week’s rough outing against the Bulls, spreading the ball around to his bevy of athletic backs and receivers. During the Pirates’ recent losing streak, extending drives and scoring points were hurdles for the team.

Why East Carolina Will Win

Okay, so it came against UCF, but the Pirates finally got back on track offensively last week. QB Blake Kemp enjoyed a career day through the air, while RB Chris Hairston provided a complementary presence on the ground. East Carolina will build off last week’s outburst against Cincinnati, which was ransacked by USF and has had issues defending the run and the pass all year long.

Player Who Matters

Can Kemp remain hot? The Pirates are hopeful after he carved up the Knights for 448 yards and four touchdowns on 34-of-50 passing. Kemp’s favorite target was Isaiah Jones, who caught 13 balls for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Cincinnati’s last of a pass rush—12 sacks—and coverage problems bode well for Kemp, Jones and the rest of the ECU pass-catchers.

What’s Going To Happen?

Now that East Carolina was able to hit the reboot button in Orlando, it’s primed to nab the postseason berth that it covets. Yeah, Cincinnati will score, because that’s what the Bearcats do best. But they’ll also bend often of defense to Kemp & Co., one of the incessant reasons this has been an off year for Tommy Tuberville in Cincy.