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College Football Betting Preview: East Carolina Pirates vs. Marshall Thundering Herd

September 9, 2023



The Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0) and East Carolina Pirates (0-1) will battle it out in their second game of the season. This game should be tight, making this a competitive betting opportunity.


  • Date: September 9, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET

  • Location: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenview, North Carolina

  • Coverage: ESPNU

East Carolina Pirates Betting Preview

The Pirates are heading into this game with a recent bad loss. This was a 30-3 defeat against the Michigan Wolverines, which does not bode well for their momentum heading into this matchup.

Considering their recent display, they managed to accumulate 235 yards in total, with 132 stemming from passing plays. On the defensive end, they conceded 402 yards, of which 280 were attributed to passing plays. Clearly, this performance raises concerns, necessitating a need for them to regather and improve.

In 2022, they went 8-5 in the American Athletic Conference. This was a solid season and one they will need to play well in order to recapture that same success.

This will be a good test for them, assuming they can hold it together defensively and actually score a touchdown this year. They will also somewhat benefit from being at home, as they had a 4-3 record last season.

Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview

The Thundering Herd were able to find success in their first game of the season. This was a 21-17 victory against the Albany Great Danes, which essentially came down to the wire as both teams were competitive all throughout the game.

They managed to accumulate 413 yards in total, out of which 268 were through successful passes, while their defense conceded 300 yards overall, with 194 of them originating from passing plays. Maintaining these statistics will be crucial for their path to success.

Reviewing the prior season, they concluded with an impressive 9-4 record in the Sun Belt East, making it a challenging feat to surpass this year. Nevertheless, they have certainly embarked on a promising start.

Their previous season culminated in a remarkable five-game winning streak, which has helped their program get off to a good start this year. This suggests that this team is poised to reclaim dominance in their division once more.

Game Odds, Series Trends and Free Pick

MyBookie's latest odds reveal that the Marshall Thundering Herd have a narrow margin for victory to succeed. However, market analysis suggests that the Pirates have a 55.3 percent probability of winning.


  • East Carolina Pirates +3 (-110)

  • Marshall Thundering Herd -3 (-110)

Looking at both teams' performances to finish out their seasons, the Thundering Herd are more appealing. They have come out strong in their first game and have an opportunity to win another close battle. Look for them to cover the spread.

Spooky Express Pick: Take the Thundering Herd -3 (-110)