2022 Week 12 Preview: Houston Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates

Houston and East Carolina play each other in the final edition of the Houston vs. East Carolinian series on Saturday afternoon. Both teams have clinched bowl eligibility and carry 6-4 records. The game will be played in Greenville, where the Pirates will host senior day.

Houston (6-4, 4-2 AAC) clinched a bowl-eligibility clinching win over Temple last Saturday. Clayton Tune and his receiving corps have been clicking lately. The senior quarterback is racking up 365 yards per game in his last five outings. Redshirt freshman Stacy Sneed has emerged as the No. 1 back lately, and he enters Saturday off a career-high 143 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Tank Dell is one of the most breathtaking playmakers in the country. He just secured his second straight 1,000-yard season. Ta’Zhawn Henry should see limited time in a secondary role.

East Carolina is ranked 27th in the country in terms of rushing defense. The Pirates are ranked first in turnover margin. ECU's senior quarterback is playing at the highest level of his career. Houston's defense is one of the conference's more consistent units. The three AAC teams currently in College Football Playoff rankings average 21.3 points per game on this ECu defense, and two of those games were on the road. They yielded at least 30 points in a game only once this year, in quadruple overtime victory over Memphis. Isaiah Winstead needs 71 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the season.

East Carolina Pirates take on Houston Cougars in Greenville. The game is expected to be close until the final minute. Houston's defense has struggled to contain opposing passing attacks lately. East Carolina has been involved in close games this year, including a 47-45 double overtime win over Memphis.