East Carolina Pirates rule C-USA seas

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  • Chance Harper
    SBR Wise Guy
    • 07-20-07
    • 788

    #1
    East Carolina Pirates rule C-USA seas
    East Carolina Pirates rule C-USA seas

    Skip Holtz and East Carolina made quite a splash last season, jumping out of the gate with underdog wins over Va Tech and West Virginia on their way to their first Conference USA title. Now comes the task of repeating and trying to gain more attention in one of the smaller, less-ballyhooed groups on the gridiron. The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and Houston Cougars present the Pirates' biggest challenges this season.

    It’s time to break out the eyepatch and the stuffed parrot.

    The East Carolina Pirates made the sports pages by beating Virginia Tech (-9) and West Virginia (-7.5) in the first two weeks of the 2008 college football season. They weren’t able to hold onto their spot in the Top 25, but the Pirates did go on to win their first-ever Conference USA title.

    Well, there’s more looting and pillaging where that came from. Our 2009 C-USA preview reveals all, with the teams neatly arranged in order of predicted finish.


    East
    1. East Carolina Pirates: At 150-1, the Pirates are one of only three teams in Conference USA to get betting odds on the BCS championship. Coach Skip Holtz has a sound defense installed; the offense could use some work, but the line is strong and QB Patrick Pinkney (13 TDs, seven INTs) returns for a sixth year of eligibility. Over seven wins looks pretty good here.

    2. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles: The Eagles are ahead of the Pirates on the odds list at 100-1. Very good things could indeed happen in coach Larry Fedora’s second year in charge. The Eagles were 5-0 SU and ATS down the stretch in 2008.

    3. Central Florida Knights: UCF has to replace the entire defensive backfield from a team that went 4-8 (5-5-1 ATS). The offense will be better under new co-ordinator Charlie Taaffe. The schedule’s tough, but a return to the bowl season is a reasonable aim.

    4. Marshall Thundering Herd: Mark Snyder hasn’t generated anything positive in four years as head coach. He doesn’t have a clear No. 1 quarterback going into Year Five, although the running game is excellent with Darius Marshall (1,099 yards, 4.9 yard per carry).

    5. Memphis Tigers: The Tigers (6-7 SU, 5-6-1 ATS) are due for some slippage after replacing all four starters on the offensive line and losing defensive coordinator Tim Walton to the Detroit Lions. QB Arkelon Hall (12 TDs, seven INTs) will only be as good as his protection.

    6. UAB Blazers: This year’s Blazers look a lot like the ones who went 4-8 (6-4-1 ATS) last year. There’s room for improvement from senior QB Joe Webb, who ran for 1,021 yards in 2008 (his first full year under center), but also threw 16 picks with 10 touchdowns.

    West
    1. Houston Cougars: Houston is the third C-USA team with BCS title dreams at 150-1. This is Year Two of the Kevin Sumlin regime; the Cougars won seven of their last nine games in Year One at 5-4 ATS. Having to replace three starters on the offensive line is a red flag for handicappers, but the skill positions remain outstanding.

    2. Tulsa Golden Hurricane: Tulsa’s going to rebuild on the fly after going 11-3 (8-5 ATS) last year. Offensive co-ordinator Gus Malzahn, the man behind the Wildcat offense, has left to take the same job in Auburn. But incoming Herb Hand won’t make too many changes to a team that scored 47.2 points per game.

    3. Texas-El Paso Miners: The Miners had a much tougher adjustment last year with new defensive co-ordinator Osia Lewis, who brought the rare 3-3-5 system over from New Mexico. Further adaptation will improve their 5-7 SU and ATS result and send UTEP bowling.

    4. Southern Methodist Mustangs: Continuing the second-year theme, June Jones and his sophomore QB Bo Levi Mitchell (24 TDs, 23 INTs) are strong candidates for a profitable campaign after going 1-11 (3-6-2 ATS) in Jones’ first season at University Park. The Mustangs have home games against Rice and Tulane to help in their climb out of the C-USA basement.

    5. Rice Owls: Rice was first in the West standings last year at 10-3 (9-4 ATS). But QB Chase Clement (44 TDs, seven INTs) is gone, and September starts with three road games at UAB, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. The Owls do have home field versus Tulane, though.

    6. Tulane Green Wave: Tough luck for a Tulane program that was ranked No. 114 out of 120 FBS teams in terms of Fremeau efficiency last year, even worse than SMU (No. 107). Unproven sophomore QB Joe Kemp has the inside track for the No. 1 job.
  • Shortstop
    BARRELED IN @ SBR!
    • 01-02-09
    • 27281

    #2
    Where is Head Strong? He'll jizz in his shorts when he sees this.
    Comment
    • fsugolf
      SBR Hall of Famer
      • 07-17-09
      • 6194

      #3
      he's busy stroking it to the article already
      Comment
      • head_strong
        SBR MVP
        • 07-02-08
        • 4318

        #4
        E C U PIRATES

        Comment
        • fsugolf
          SBR Hall of Famer
          • 07-17-09
          • 6194

          #5
          that was quick
          Comment
          • head_strong
            SBR MVP
            • 07-02-08
            • 4318

            #6
            Originally posted by Chance Harper
            East
            1. East Carolina Pirates: At 150-1, the Pirates are one of only three teams in Conference USA to get betting odds on the BCS championship. Over seven wins looks pretty good here.
            Over 7 Wins looks pretty good, and Albert Pujols is a pretty good baseball player, Michael Jordan was a pretty good basketball player, Tiger Woods is a pretty good golfer.....talk about the understatement of the century. .....Over 7 Wins
            Comment
            • Shortstop
              BARRELED IN @ SBR!
              • 01-02-09
              • 27281

              #7
              Damn, that was quick.
              Comment
              • fsugolf
                SBR Hall of Famer
                • 07-17-09
                • 6194

                #8
                Originally posted by Shortstop
                Damn, that was quick.
                Originally posted by fsugolf
                that was quick


                echo


                and to head_strong





                gl this year
                Comment
                • head_strong
                  SBR MVP
                  • 07-02-08
                  • 4318

                  #9
                  thanks fsugolf , this could very well be the most important season in ECU football history, very high expectations but I have to remind myself not to panic early. A 1-2 start is very possible, but so is a 11-2 finish. Looking to turn the clock back a bring some magic from the 1992 season when Jeff Blake led the Pirates to a 11-1 record.....
                  Attached Files
                  Comment
                  • fsugolf
                    SBR Hall of Famer
                    • 07-17-09
                    • 6194

                    #10
                    Best wishes to you and your team/s
                    Comment
                    • head_strong
                      SBR MVP
                      • 07-02-08
                      • 4318

                      #11
                      Comment
                      • head_strong
                        SBR MVP
                        • 07-02-08
                        • 4318

                        #12
                        Comment
                        • head_strong
                          SBR MVP
                          • 07-02-08
                          • 4318

                          #13
                          Comment
                          • head_strong
                            SBR MVP
                            • 07-02-08
                            • 4318

                            #14
                            Time 2 Repeat
                            Attached Files
                            Comment
                            • MJT1212
                              SBR Hall of Famer
                              • 02-16-09
                              • 5124

                              #15
                              ECU PIRATES Rules Those ****ing Seas!!! And we're going to rule all seas of those who dare challenge us this year! Including the two time reigning ACC Champs and BCS Champ Va. Tech Hokies. We're going to paint the seas purple this year.
                              Comment
                              • ZBOIZ
                                SBR Posting Legend
                                • 06-22-08
                                • 21464

                                #16
                                Tell ECU to play LSU!!!!!!

                                So we can pound them in the ground!!
                                Comment
                                • GatorFan
                                  SBR MVP
                                  • 04-19-07
                                  • 2969

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by ZBOIZ
                                  Tell ECU to play LSU!!!!!!

                                  So we can pound them in the ground!!
                                  ha ha then your LSU to play my Gators U so that we can pound them in the ground
                                  Comment
                                  • ZBOIZ
                                    SBR Posting Legend
                                    • 06-22-08
                                    • 21464

                                    #18
                                    Originally posted by GatorFan
                                    ha ha then your LSU to play my Gators U so that we can pound them in the ground

                                    We owe you bastards!!

                                    Remember you guys have'nt won in Baton Rouge in a while.
                                    Comment
                                    • dle
                                      SBR Sharp
                                      • 11-26-08
                                      • 438

                                      #19
                                      Houston is far and away the best team in CUSA this year, IMO. I'm extremely worried about our game with them on 9/12. They could end up a legitimate top 15 team this year.
                                      Comment
                                      • head_strong
                                        SBR MVP
                                        • 07-02-08
                                        • 4318

                                        #20
                                        Originally posted by ZBOIZ
                                        Tell ECU to play LSU!!!!!!

                                        So we can pound them in the ground!!
                                        If we wanted to play in the real Death Valley we would go to Clemson.
                                        Comment
                                        • head_strong
                                          SBR MVP
                                          • 07-02-08
                                          • 4318

                                          #21
                                          Originally posted by dle
                                          Houston is far and away the best team in CUSA this year, IMO. I'm extremely worried about our game with them on 9/12. They could end up a legitimate top 15 team this year.
                                          Saying Houston is far and away the best team in C-USA this year is like saying Oklahoma St is far and away the best team in the Big 12, not even close.
                                          Due to the respect C-USA gets, Houston would have to go 12-0 before breaking the Top 25, so again nothing to worry about there.
                                          As for the game with Houston 9/12, your team is supposedly a legit top10 team (ranked 9th) playing on your home field against an unranked mid level Houston team and you are worried? So basically you are admitting the Big 12 is overrated again this year and still hasn't figured out defense wins big games. I'm guessing 1st team to 100 takes this one.....
                                          Perfect example: Everyone was on Texas Tech's nuts last year, making a case saying they should be playing for the Championship, they can out score anybody, blah blah blah. What happens, they take their 11-1 overall record 7-1 Big 12 record and can't even hang with the middle of the pack in the SEC. Mississippi was 8-4 overall 5-3 SEC and almost scores 50 against Texas Tech and wins the game by nearly 2 touchdowns. Same story every year, the Big 12 thinks they can just outscore teams until they face a team from another conference that plays defense.
                                          Comment
                                          • MartinBlank
                                            SBR Hall of Famer
                                            • 07-20-08
                                            • 8382

                                            #22
                                            Originally posted by head_strong
                                            If we wanted to play in the real Death Valley we would go to Clemson.
                                            That is f'in funny.

                                            I have been to two LSU games---one with a ND buddy of mine in 1997. I wanted to see what LSU fans were like.

                                            Notre Dame was coached by Bob Davie and LSU was ranked like #10 or something at the time..... anyway, ND built up a respectable lead, something like 17-6 in the third quarter.....LSU fans left in droves. The place looked like a ghost town.

                                            The other was in 2003 when Florida beat LSU 19-7.
                                            Comment
                                            • head_strong
                                              SBR MVP
                                              • 07-02-08
                                              • 4318

                                              #23
                                              Originally posted by MartinBlank
                                              That is f'in funny.

                                              I have been to two LSU games---one with a ND buddy of mine in 1997. I wanted to see what LSU fans were like.

                                              Notre Dame was coached by Bob Davie and LSU was ranked like #10 or something at the time..... anyway, ND built up a respectable lead, something like 17-6 in the third quarter.....LSU fans left in droves. The place looked like a ghost town.

                                              The other was in 2003 when Florida beat LSU 19-7.
                                              My brother went to Law School @ LSU, so I was fortunate enough to go to some LSU games as well, I will say nobody does tailgating like the SEC, absolutely unreal, I think people move their entire living rooms to the parking lot. While I was in Baton Rouge I picked up on some things that really push their fans buttons, one of those things being Clemson calling their Stadium Death Valley. I figured ZBOIZ hit below the belt so why not do the same lol.
                                              Comment
                                              • ZBOIZ
                                                SBR Posting Legend
                                                • 06-22-08
                                                • 21464

                                                #24
                                                Tiger Stadium is the real death valley!!
                                                Comment
                                                • ZBOIZ
                                                  SBR Posting Legend
                                                  • 06-22-08
                                                  • 21464

                                                  #25
                                                  Here is my list for the 10 toughest places to play in college football. I've tried to visit most of these places but have not gotten to all of them. Here it goes. 10...


                                                  #1 hardest place to play college football
                                                  Comment
                                                  • head_strong
                                                    SBR MVP
                                                    • 07-02-08
                                                    • 4318

                                                    #26
                                                    Just call it "The House that Saban Built" to prevent any further confusion.
                                                    Comment
                                                    • fiveteamer
                                                      SBR Posting Legend
                                                      • 04-14-08
                                                      • 10805

                                                      #27
                                                      There is North, South and East Carolina.

                                                      What about West Carolina?

                                                      Wuzzap wit dat?
                                                      Comment
                                                      • head_strong
                                                        SBR MVP
                                                        • 07-02-08
                                                        • 4318

                                                        #28
                                                        There is a Western Carolina, WCU's Professional Athletes:
                                                        Jared Burton, MLB - Cincinnati Reds
                                                        Mark DiFelice, MLB - Milwaukee Brewers
                                                        Brad Hoover, NFL - Carolina Panthers
                                                        Kevin Martin, NBA - Sacramento Kings
                                                        David Patten, NFL - New Orleans Saints
                                                        And former ECU baseball Coach Keith LeClair RIP, was an athlete and coach at Western Carolina University (Player-1985-88 & Coach-1992-97)
                                                        Comment
                                                        • ZBOIZ
                                                          SBR Posting Legend
                                                          • 06-22-08
                                                          • 21464

                                                          #29
                                                          Originally posted by head_strong
                                                          Just call it "The House that Saban Built" to prevent any further confusion.

                                                          Saban did not build shit

                                                          You remember when the fans caused a earth quake at LSU ??

                                                          Saban was'nt thought about
                                                          Comment
                                                          • dle
                                                            SBR Sharp
                                                            • 11-26-08
                                                            • 438

                                                            #30
                                                            Originally posted by head_strong
                                                            Saying Houston is far and away the best team in C-USA this year is like saying Oklahoma St is far and away the best team in the Big 12, not even close.
                                                            Due to the respect C-USA gets, Houston would have to go 12-0 before breaking the Top 25, so again nothing to worry about there.
                                                            As for the game with Houston 9/12, your team is supposedly a legit top10 team (ranked 9th) playing on your home field against an unranked mid level Houston team and you are worried? So basically you are admitting the Big 12 is overrated again this year and still hasn't figured out defense wins big games. I'm guessing 1st team to 100 takes this one.....
                                                            Perfect example: Everyone was on Texas Tech's nuts last year, making a case saying they should be playing for the Championship, they can out score anybody, blah blah blah. What happens, they take their 11-1 overall record 7-1 Big 12 record and can't even hang with the middle of the pack in the SEC. Mississippi was 8-4 overall 5-3 SEC and almost scores 50 against Texas Tech and wins the game by nearly 2 touchdowns. Same story every year, the Big 12 thinks they can just outscore teams until they face a team from another conference that plays defense.
                                                            Oh god, get over it.

                                                            ECU gets a player on the level of Keenum, then come talk. Houston is a top 30 team, just barely missing the top 25, IMO. Stop being a homer.

                                                            Ole Miss beat a Texas Tech team with an injured Crabtree and following a complete blowout in Norman and struggle against Baylor. They were never the same after the OU game so don't give Ole Miss too much credit buddy. You're a CUSA fan, stop putting down a conference far superior to yours.

                                                            Houston could go 2-0 (beating us) and be in the top 25. They go 2-1 and beat Texas Tech, they'll be in the top 25 then too if they play us as tough as I expect them too.

                                                            They are way, way better than ECU. Last year they beat you by double digits at your place and they'd do it again this year. Sour grapes.
                                                            Comment
                                                            • Intuitive_Edge
                                                              SBR MVP
                                                              • 07-22-09
                                                              • 1644

                                                              #31
                                                              Originally posted by ZBOIZ
                                                              http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4...llege-football

                                                              #1 hardest place to play college football
                                                              List is flawed bad.
                                                              Comment
                                                              • head_strong
                                                                SBR MVP
                                                                • 07-02-08
                                                                • 4318

                                                                #32
                                                                Originally posted by dle
                                                                Oh god, get over it.

                                                                ECU gets a player on the level of Keenum, then come talk. Houston is a top 30 team, just barely missing the top 25, IMO. Stop being a homer.

                                                                Ole Miss beat a Texas Tech team with an injured Crabtree and following a complete blowout in Norman and struggle against Baylor. They were never the same after the OU game so don't give Ole Miss too much credit buddy. You're a CUSA fan, stop putting down a conference far superior to yours.

                                                                Houston could go 2-0 (beating us) and be in the top 25. They go 2-1 and beat Texas Tech, they'll be in the top 25 then too if they play us as tough as I expect them too.

                                                                They are way, way better than ECU. Last year they beat you by double digits at your place and they'd do it again this year. Sour grapes.
                                                                Who is defending C-USA Champions again, give you a hint it's not Houston. Oklahoma St will always play 2nd fiddle to Oklahoma and Texas so get over it.
                                                                Comment
                                                                • dle
                                                                  SBR Sharp
                                                                  • 11-26-08
                                                                  • 438

                                                                  #33
                                                                  Who beat ECU on their own field last year? Hint: Houston

                                                                  ECU will always play 3rd fiddle to to not only BCS teams, but MWC teams as well.
                                                                  Comment
                                                                  • Willie Bee
                                                                    SBR Posting Legend
                                                                    • 02-14-06
                                                                    • 15726

                                                                    #34
                                                                    Originally posted by fiveteamer
                                                                    What about West Carolina?

                                                                    Wuzzap wit dat?
                                                                    http://www.wcu.edu/
                                                                    Comment
                                                                    • head_strong
                                                                      SBR MVP
                                                                      • 07-02-08
                                                                      • 4318

                                                                      #35
                                                                      Originally posted by head_strong
                                                                      Who is defending C-USA Champions again, give you a hint it's not Houston. Oklahoma St will always play 2nd fiddle to Oklahoma and Texas so get over it.
                                                                      forgot to add Texas Tech they beat you guys by 36 points last year.....
                                                                      Comment
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