East Carolina Pirates 2023 game-by-game predictions

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 10: Amare Jones #11 of the Tulane Green Wave is tackeld by Davondre Robinson #13 of the East Carolina Pirates and Cannon Gibbs #4 during the first half at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Tulane (L)

I recently covered the Green Wave and its poor odds of living up to last year’s 12-2 standard, but while such a subject matter is valid, the Pirates are in no better condition.

So, in what could be a rather forgettable game on its schedule, ECU runs a strong risk of being handed its sixth loss—a risk that, especially when following a deathmatch with the Roadrunners, I firmly believe it will fall victim to.

@ Florida Atlantic (L)

While not looking too pretty at face value, the Florida Atlantic Owls will be nothing less than an army of thorns in ECU’s side. This is because they have a near-perfect combination of placement, site, and coaching.

Think about it: No one wants to play a game right after a pair of losses to unforgiving teams, nor does anyone prefer to go on the road when welcoming distant foes to their conference. When it comes to this matchup, the Pirates are stuck having to do both. Beyond that, FAU’s head coach being the respected Tom Herman drives the final nail into the purple-and-gold coffin.

@ Navy (L)

Once again, we are seeing the cream of returning talent rise to the top.

The Midshipmen maintain an impressive amount of experience at their disposal for the quarterback and running back positions, along with leading receiver Jayden Umbarger. It’s hard to believe that East Carolina, a team that stands out for the yardage it gave up when falling to Navy in 2022, could walk into Annapolis this year and walk out with anything other than a loss.

Tulsa (W)

This game will be a final stand for the Pirates in every sense of the phrase, as they will be angrily entering their senior day off four consecutive losses, seeking an outstanding note to end their season on. Considering that the Golden Hurricane was a non-bowl team in 2022 and will be on the road, they should have little trouble finding it.

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In total, I predict that the 2023 East Carolina Pirates will go 4-8. That means that they will not only miss the postseason (obviously) but will also be back to the sorry play that we’ve seen from them several times before. They had a good stretch last year in regards to both their final record and statistical success, but by this point, that will look like nothing more than just a pinch of lightning in an enormous bottle.

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