East Carolina Pirates (2-8) vs. Navy Midshipmen (4-5)
East Carolina Pirates vs. Navy Midshipmen 11/18/23 – Week 12 in the NCAAF showcases this intriguing matchup between East Carolina Pirates (2-8) and Navy Midshipmen (4-5), two struggling teams that face each other head to head in an intriguing contest that showcases college football’s intricate dynamics; every game can drastically alter season trajectories and this clash on Saturday not only proves this point, but is a true test of strategic prowess and athletic prowess, providing sports handicapping enthusiasts a real test for sports handicapping enthusiasts.
East Carolina Pirates despite their unimpressive record have shown glimpses of brilliance this season. Running back Rahjai Harris has been outstanding this year with 341 rushing yards and four touchdowns; his ability to break through defenses may prove key in this matchup. Wide receiver Chase Sowell provides depth in their attack while providing reliable targets for their quarterback.
Navy Midshipmen pose an insurmountable challenge to opponents. Running back Alex Tecza boasts 629 rushing yards, averaging 6.9 yards per rush attempt, showing his efficiency and explosiveness on the field. Wide receiver Eli Heidenreich, though with less receptions, has made significant impact plays, averaging 22.3 yards per catch to showcase his big play potential.
East Carolina Pirates vs. Navy Midshipmen Game Info
| When: | Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Navy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | ESNN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Alex Flinn QB vs. Tai Lavatai QB
East Carolina Pirates quarterback Alex Flinn has had to overcome many challenges this season. With only 123 completions from 234 attempts for 1219 passing yards and his completion percentage standing at 52.6% and 8 interceptions against 4 touchdowns it is evident that decision-making has been an obstacle for him. His performance under pressure can’t be overlooked either: being sacked 22 times for losses totalling 144 yards is testament to this; yet his resilience and ability to connect under pressure cannot be discounted; with one pass covering 39 yards as proof. His resilience shows us just what could help turn tight games.
Tai Lavatai from Navy Midshipmen offers an alternative quarterbacking style. Lavatai has completed 40 out of 75 pass attempts and amassed 522 passing yards since taking over as starting quarterback last fall. His completion percentage stands at 53.33% and he boasts a more favorable touchdown-to-interception ratio (4 touchdowns vs 2 interceptions), both indicators that this quarterback may be more conservative yet efficient in his approach to passing. Lavatai excels at taking an analytical approach to his game, often making more cautious and safe throws. Lavatai boasted a higher passer rating of 124.1 and significantly fewer sacks, which demonstrated his ability to read defenses quickly and release the ball swiftly. Furthermore, Lavatai demonstrated explosive plays only occasionally compared to his counterpart.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Navy Midshipmen -142, Total Odds: 31.5
The betting odds lean towards the Navy Midshipmen, with a -142 moneyline and a spread of -3. The total odds set at 31.5 points suggest a low-scoring affair, aligning with both teams’ recent trends.
East Carolina Pirates Betting Trends
East Carolina Pirates betting trends indicate they may struggle to cover spreads against Navy, going winless at covering spreads over their last seven games against them and going winless SU. Their games tend to feature low scoring, with six out of seven total UNDER performances. This trend, coupled with their 1-5SU record in recent matchesups suggests a team who may falter under high-pressure situations.
Navy Midshipmen Betting Trends
The Navy Midshipmen, while not stellar at home (1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 home games), show a strong trend against the East Division (9-3 ATS in their last 12 games). Their games tend to be higher-scoring when playing at home against East Carolina, with the total going OVER in 4 of the last 5 such encounters.
East Carolina Pirates vs. Navy Midshipmen 11/18/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing this NCAAF matchup, the Navy Midshipmen appear to hold a slight edge due to their better record against East Division teams and ability to score at home. By comparison, Pirates with less consistent performances when travelling will face a more challenging task ahead.
When making NCAAF matchup picks, Navy Midshipmen’s more consistent performance and stronger home field advantage makes them a safer bet. Their total point spread of 31.5 indicates a tighter game, possibly leaning toward under based on both teams’ recent scoring trends.
Free Pick and Prediction: Navy Midshipmen 20, East Carolina Pirates 10