CFB: East Carolina at West Virginia (3:30 PM ET)

Like last week, most of the top tilts for college football’s second Saturday begin in the mid-afternoon and later. One of those contests pits rivals East Carolina & West Virginia. The Mountaineers are just a 6-point home favorite, as it is ECU that is gar

2009-09-14

Like last week, most of the top tilts for college football’s second Saturday begin in the mid-afternoon and later. One of those contests pits rivals East Carolina & West Virginia. The Mountaineers are just a 6-point home favorite, as it is ECU that is garnering most of the headlines. Furthermore, the Pirates are getting the lion’s share of the wagering action as well. Check the latest breakdown on the Sportsbook.com BETTING TRENDS page.

Last year, East Carolina burst onto the scene with opening game upsets over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The Pirates went on to win the Conference USA championship. With 16 returning starters, they’ll try and take the next step in beating a major BCS school on the road. In a league known for wide-open offenses, coach Skip Holtz went for defense. The D-line is a particular is a strength, with the likes of Jay Ross and Linval Joseph on the inside at tackle and C.J. Wilson and Scotty Robinson covering up the ends. Whatever they miss, last year’s leading tackler, middle linebacker Nick Johnson cleans up. East Carolina is 13-3 ATS on the road the last four seasons.

A new era of West Virginia football continues without Pat White at quarterback. Jarrett Brown is the new big man on campus and he’ll hopefully lead a more varied attack with four or five exciting targets to throw to like slot receiver Jock Sanders. The one mainstay is running back Noel Devine, who will now be the featured runner. Devine ran for over 1200 yards a season ago and with White no longer toting the pigskin as much, the junior scat back could add 300 to 500 yards to his total if the offensive line comes together. The Mountaineers are a mediocre 11-18-1 ATS as home favorites since 2003.

West Virginia had a seven-game winning streak snapped last year at East Carolina, but is still 17-3 SU & 5-3 ATS all-time against the Pirates. The Mountaineers are a perfect 12-0 at home versus the squad from Greenville, NC, 4-1 ATS. Last year was the first time in 79 games the ‘Teers had been held without touchdown and they’ll have serious revenge on their minds this season. Just keep in mind East Carolina is 10-2 ATS as a road dog of 3.5 to 7 points.

The StatFox Power Line says West Virginia -14. Try your luck on this contest by clicking through the college football wagering options at Sportsbook.com.

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