Thoughts on ECU?

[Gator Fever]

Not sure what to make of ECU after watching some of the plays of their opening game against Towson.

On offense it was either very vanilla on purpose or they don't trust the new QB to throw the ball down the field. I hardly saw a pass go more than about 5 or 6 yards past the line of scrimmage. The QB did seem pretty poised however and could have ran it quite a few times with some big openings but it appeared he must have been told not to. Their RB had a good game. On defense they looked kind of soft and had a hard time wrapping up their tackles on Towson's RB similar to the problems they had with Lane last season. Their D line didn't seem that strong either. They aren't a pushover I guess but I doubt they are close to the team that beat VT and NC last season and gave SC a big scare.

 

[46885]

We are favored by 20

 

[oozie7]

Wouldn't read too much into their playcalling, it was the same a year ago with an experienced QB. That's sort of the design of the run n' shoot offense they run, they spread you really wide and then try to slice you up with short to intermediate routes. We should squat on those with ease with our DB's. We won't get many sacks due to that scheme they run though, so don't expect much pressure.

 

[TennesseeGator]

I will predict we win 38-17

 

[Gator Fever]

Wouldn't read too much into their playcalling, it was the same a year ago with an experienced QB. That's sort of the design of the run n' shoot offense they run, they spread you really wide and then try to slice you up with short to intermediate routes. We should squat on those with ease with our DB's. We won't get many sacks due to that scheme they run though, so don't expect much pressure.

I guess the difference was I saw hardly any intermediate throws at all like I did in our bowl game with them. I agree on the scheme stuff and they will probably throw a few longer passes against us just so we can't cheat too bad on defense.

 

[MJWilliamson]

We are favored by 20

opened at 13. Moved up quickly

 

[46885]

yea I saw it at 19 last night, then 20 currently.

 

[Rushie]

I expect a sound victory. ECU lost a lot from last year, but more importantly we lost Muschamp.

 

[cwesleyf]

I expect a sound victory. ECU lost a lot from last year, but more importantly we lost Muschamp.

One mans loss (Muschamp) is gator nations gain.

 

[LizardGrad89]

They had everything in their favor in the bowl game last year and we beat them. Now its in our house, we've gotten better, and they've gotten worse. Shouldn't be close.

 

[sadgator]

I expect a sound victory. ECU lost a lot from last year, but more importantly we lost Muschamp.

sadgator literally laughed out loud.

 

[TennesseeGator]

Yeah, they couldn't beat us with the Muschamp stintch still on our sidelines,

Driskel played the majority late in that game and they still couldn't capitalize.

They even made our problem child look like a future All American by letting him run and literally crap on them the entire game.

 

[Rowdydowdy]

I expect a close game and since I am a homer I am going with a ECU victory.

 

[Monker]

ECU lost their best QB in the last 15 years and possibly their best receiver ever. Plus, the QB is actually the 2nd string QB going into the year - the projected starter tore his ACL about 2 weeks ago. ECU's RB appears to be legit. But the ECU OL is geared toward that short passing game, not opening up holes for a RB. I didn't go to the game last week but lots of friends did and they all expressed a great deal of concern with the defense.

I'm a UGA fan living in Greenville and therefore (somewhat) support ECU. I'll be at the game this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. First time in the Swamp and leaves only 3 more SEC stadiums to see a game in. I imagine I'll be treated well in ECU gear, unlike how we (UGA & UF) treat each other.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is a game through halftime with UF pulling away in the 2nd half.

.

 

[Gator Fever]

I expect a close game and since I am a homer I am going with a ECU victory.

Well the computer says we should only be a 1.57 point favorite even in the Swamp - did you program that thing?

 

[Rowdydowdy]

Well the computer says we should only be a 1.57 point favorite even in the Swamp - did you program that thing?

Lol. Nope but I think we will show up and I don't think we are as bad as NMS

 

[GatorNation79]

Lol. Nope but I think we will show up and I don't think we are as bad as NMS

Certainly not as bad as NM State but I think that you guy are going to get worked by better talent and coaching. If we play like we did last week then we win by 20+.

 

[Gator Fever]

"ECU has their hands full with the Gators but their confidence isn’t wavering."

“A lot of people outside our facility don’t think we can win it,” McGhin said. “So it will be great when we get to shock not only the people around ECU but the entire nation.”

So they are doing a little talking but what is actually crazy is most of the country wouldn't consider it a huge upset right now.

 

[HardeeWildcatFan]

Well after just watching the weather report I don't think they will be playing 4qrt or even playing at all. Anybody see all that rain coming in from the Gulf? May be too many lightning strikes...Be safe...

 

[MJWilliamson]

From a guy that covers ECU;

"
1. It has been just two games since Florida and East Carolina played each other in the Birmingham Bowl, how different is this Pirates team from the one that appeared in the bowl game?

Nathan: Very different. Not only are stars Shane Carden and Justin Hardy gone from the ECU offense, main outside passing target Cam Worthy is also gone, as is lead running back Breon Allen. Furthermore, the preseason loss of sophomore QB Kurt Benkert and the recent announcement by backup Cody Keith that he has left the team has further thrown the offense into flux. But with mainstays like receiver Isaiah Jones and running back Chris Hairston, the Pirates still possess big-play capability. On defense, familiar faces like linebackers Zeek Bigger and Montese Overton along with cornerback Josh Hawkins are all back for their senior seasons.

2. Were you surprised that East Carolina couldn’t pull away from Towson? Why weren’t they able to? The Pirates won the opener 28-20.

Nathan: The Pirates lacked killer instinct beyond Hairston’s four rush TDs. The game plan for Blake Kemp’s first start under center was fairly basic and didn’t include any downfield throws. The team also again struggled to convert in the kicking game.

3. Who is the one East Carolina player the Gators will have to worry about the most? What does that player do best?

Nathan: On offense, it’s likely Jones, who can beat coverage with speed and a physical presence. He was limited last season only by his number of touches playing on an offense in which Hardy commanded most of the catches. Still, Jones was able to flirt with a 1,000-yard campaign. On defense, it is likely Overton, who stands the best chance to put pressure on UF’s passers.

4. Where are the Pirates most vulnerable and how can the Gators take advantage?

Nathan: The Pirates have yet to prove they can stop the deep pass, though Towson did little to challenge them in that way. Hawkins has shown signs of brilliance, and strong safety Terrell Richardson delivered a game-ending hit last week, but the ECU secondary has been its undoing numerous times.

5. What’s your prediction for the game?

Nathan: I think Florida wins, perhaps not as big as against New Mexico State, but the Gators’ speed on defense will be a constant problem for the ECU offense."