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2009 East Carolina Pirates NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 16, 2009 by Jason Lowry

East Carolina 2009 Predictions The East Carolina Pirates had an amazing start to the 2008 season going 3-0 with wins over a ranked Virginia Tech and West Virginia team, but followed that up with three straight losses. The Pirates were however able to finish up strong enough in conference play to finish 6-2 in the East Division and earn a spot in the Conference USA title game against Tulsa, where they upset the Golden Hurricane 27-24 despite being outgained by more than 120 yards. This year the Pirates look to be a force again, as they have 16 returning starters, and arguably the best team yet under head coach Skip Holtz.

On offense the Pirates bring back most of their weapons from last season, as they have 9 starters back. The most important player back is senior quarterback Patrick Pinkney, who had a respectable season last year throwing for 2,675 yards, but was able to throw just 13 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Last year the Pirates were really hit hard by suspensions and injuries, and running back was the position that was really hit the hardest. First the team lost their projected starter in senior Dominique Lindsay in preseason to injury, and then junior Jonathan Williams was suspended. Norman Whitley ended up leading the team with 698 yards and 4 touchdowns, but all three of these players are expected to take a backseat to Kentucky transfer Brandon Jackson. At wide receiver the Pirates lost their top threat in Davon Drew, but have high expectations for junior Dwayne Harris and sophomore Darryl Freeney. Also in the mix are seniors Jamar Bryant and Alex Taylor, but neither figure to top the production of Harris and Freeney. The reason that the offense looks to improve this season, is they have all five starters back on the offensive line, and should have one of the best interior lines in the conference with guards Cory Dowless and Doug Palmer and center Sean Allen. If the Pirates can find a solid solution in the running game, I think it will really help out the production of Pinkney at quarterback. Look for the Pirates to be right around 24-25 points a game this season. Bet the Pirates this season at Sportsbook.com.

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Where the Pirates really excelled last season was on the defensive side of things, as they led Conference USA allowing just under 20 points a game to opposing teams. This year the Pirates have 7 starters back, and should again have one of the top defenses in the conference this season. A big reason for that is the Pirates have three starters back up front on the line, led by two of the best defensive tackles in the conference in senior Jay Ross and junior Linval Joseph. The Pirates also have one of the best defensive ends in senior CJ Wilson, who not only had 10.5 sacks but added an additional 8.5 tackles for loss. At linebacker the Pirates have another outstanding talent in senior middle linebacker Nick Johnson, who led the team with 102 tackles last season. Playing alongside Johnson will be a couple of seniors in Jeremy Chambliss and Chris Mattocks. The top talent doesn’t stop there as the Pirates look to have one of the top secondaries in the conference with the return of corners Dekota Marshall, Emanuel Davis, and Travis Simmons, and one of the best safeties in the conference in senior Van Eskridge, who tied with Davis for the lead in interceptions with 4. The defense looks to be very good again this season, and will likely determine if this team repeats as Conference USA champions. Bet Conference USA this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: 2nd in Conference USA East Division. I know a lot of people are going to have the Pirates picked to win this conference again this season, but I feel like the Southern Miss Golden Eagles are the team to beat this season. Both teams have pretty much the same team coming back, and the Pirates were nearly shutout against the Golden Eagles last season in a 3-21 loss. The game is at home for the Pirates in the final game of the season, but I feel like they will struggle to again keep up with the scoring of the Golden Eagles.

Need some help with your NCAA football picks this season? Check back for our expert college football predictions and the latest NCAA football betting odds at Betfirms.

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