SMU vs. East Carolina odds, line, spread: 2023 college football picks, Week 7 predictions from proven model
The East Carolina Pirates look to get into the win column in the American Athletic Conference and continue to hold the upper hand over the SMU Mustangs when they meet in a conference matchup on Thursday. The Pirates (1-4, 0-1 American) have defeated SMU in three of the last five meetings, including a 52-38 win in their last game on Nov. 28, 2020. They hold a 5-4 edge in the all-time series. The Mustangs (3-2, 1-0 American) have won six of their last nine AAC games, including a 34-16 win over Charlotte on Sept. 30.
The game from Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C., is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Mustangs are averaging 433.8 yards per game, while the Pirates average 304.2. SMU is favored by 12.5 points in the latest SportsLine consensus SMU vs. East Carolina odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 49.5. Before making any East Carolina vs. SMU picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of more than $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on SMU vs. ECU and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for ECU vs. SMU:
- SMU vs. East Carolina spread: SMU -12
- SMU vs. East Carolina over/under: 49.5 points
- SMU vs. East Carolina money line: SMU -454, East Carolina +341
- SMU: The Mustangs have a plus-four turnover ratio
- ECU: The Pirates led the NCAA in fewest fumbles lost (2) and turnovers lost (7) in 2022
- SMU vs. East Carolina picks: See picks at SportsLine
- SMU vs. East Carolina live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why SMU can cover
Sophomore quarterback Preston Stone helps power the Mustangs' offense, completing 84 of 160 passes (58.8%) for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions and a rating of 137.7. Stone has also rushed for a score on 29 carries for 68 yards. He has one 300-yard passing performance, completing 15 of 20 throws (75%) for 300 yards and five touchdowns in a 69-0 win over Prairie View A&M on Sept. 16. A week earlier, a 28-11 loss at No. 18 Oklahoma, he completed 26 of 45 passes (57.8%) for 250 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
Leading the SMU ground attack is senior running back Jaylan Knighton. The transfer from Miami (Fla.) is coming off a monster effort in the win over Charlotte. In that game, he carried 11 times for 150 yards (13.6 average) and two touchdowns, including a 95-yarder. For his career, he has rushed 326 times for 1,525 yards (4.7 average) and 12 touchdowns. See which team to pick here.
Why East Carolina can cover
Senior wide receiver Jaylen Johnson leads the Pirates receiving corps with a team-high 20 receptions for 206 yards (10.3 average), including a long of 39 yards. Johnson's best game came against Gardner-Webb in a 44-0 win on Sept. 23, with six catches for 70 yards (11.7 average). He had four catches for 28 yards in the loss at Rice in Week 5. In his four-year career, including two seasons at Georgia, he has 51 receptions for 595 yards (11.7 average) and four touchdowns.
Defensively, junior linebacker Mike Edwards III is among the team leaders with 34 tackles, including 22 solo, with one sack for four yards. He had a season-high 13 tackles, including six solo, with one sack in a loss to Appalachian State on Sept. 16. He had eight stops, including seven solo, in the season-opening loss at No. 2 Michigan on Sept. 2. In his three-year career, including one at Georgia Southern, he has recorded 110 tackles, including 56 solo, with one pass breakup and one sack. See which team to pick here.
How to make SMU vs. East Carolina picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total. It also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only get the model's pick and analysis at SportsLine.
