2009 East Carolina Football Predictions

Written July 3, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009 East Carolina Football Predictions The depth and experience returning to the East Carolina Pirates this season gives this team a great shot to win the C-USA again in 2009. 18 starters return and the roster features large junior and senior classes. The defense improved in many areas last season, posting C-USA bests in scoring defense, total defense and red zone defense. With that same defense, and Pinkney back at quarterback, this team is sure to pull off the upset or two that we’ve come accustomed to seeing the last few seasons from the Pirates. NCAA football lines for futures betting are now posted. Take advantage by signing up with Sportsbook.com to get their one and only reduced juice on Friday’s this season.

Offense: Coach Skip Holtz will get more mileage out of quarterback Patrick Pinkney. The NCAA gave Pinckney a sixth year of eligibility because he missed the 2005 season due to injury and he redshirted in 2004. Pinkney is great at managing the game, starting 13 of 14 contests last year while throwing just 7 interceptions in 363 attempts. He should have a big ‘09 season with the return of starting wide receivers Darryl Freeney and Dwayne Harris, who grabbed 58 balls for 654 yards last season. Freeney was third in receiving yards with 352. Also returning at wideout are key contributors in Alex Taylor, Jamar Bryant and Joe Womack.

The running back depth chart is a work in progress. Jonathan Williams should be ECU’s featured running back, but his legal issues forced Holtz to suspend him at midseason. It’s yet to be determined if he’ll play this fall, because his legal issues have to be resolved and he has to meet team conditions, first. Norman Whitley, the Pirates’ leading rusher last season, was on a leave of absence in the spring but could return. Meanwhile, Kentucky transfer Brandon Jackson could wind up being the main cog in the backfield this season. ECU potentially has a stacked backfield to run behind four returning starters on the offensive line.

Want free money to partake in NCAA football betting in 2009? Look no further than our featured sports book! Sign up for a new account at BetUS and deposit at least $500 and they’ll transfer a $500 bonus into your account just for signing up!

Defense: The defense made colossal strides last season, giving up just 21.1 points/game and 330 yards/game, down from their averages of 30 and 431, respectively, in 2007. They improved their speed and depth last season, and eight returning starters figure to have similar success in 2009. Middle linebacker Nick Johnson was ECU’s leading tackler last season while picking off two passes as well. The Pirates will miss second-leading tackler Pierre Bell, but Jeremy Chambliss and Chris Mattocks should man the outside linebacker positions in Holtz’ 4-3 base scheme. Mattocks was versatile last season in playing safety and linebacker at times, while Chambliss was a key contributor with 60 tackles.

C.J. Wilson is a dominant force at defensive end after leading the team with 18.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks. ECU’s secondary should be as good as any in the C-USA with two-year starting free safety Van Eskridge returning to lead the unit. He had four of the Pirates’ 22 interceptions last year, while finishing third on the team in tackles with 97. Derek Blacknall will join Eskridge at the other safety spot, while returning starters in juniors Dekota Marshall and Travis Simmons give the Pirates a pair of experienced, quality corners.

Sign up with InfoPlays and earn access to all of our award-winning college football picks this fall! With 21 years of experience on your side, you cannot go wrong with our proven football picks!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!

Comments

Got something to say?