The East Carolina Pirates (3-2) visit the UAB Blazers (3-3) Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Let's analyze college football odds around the East Carolina vs. UAB odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
East Carolina has won 3 games in a row after handling the Rice Owls 28-12 last week, covering as a 9.5-point home favorite with the Under (46.5) hitting. QB Emory Williams threw for 143 yards and 2 TDs while adding 23 yards and a TD on the ground. RB TJ Engleman Jr. gained 136 yards on just 14 carries with a TD.
UAB had a 2-game winning streak snapped with a 38-13 loss against the Memphis Tigers last week, failing to cover as a 15.5-point road underdog with the Under
(54.5) hitting. QB Ryder Burton threw for 131 yards and an interception, while the Blazers turned the ball over 3 times in the loss.
East Carolina has won the last meetings, including 63-14 in 2013, an leads the all-time series 9-4.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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East Carolina at UAB odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:54 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): East Carolina -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | UAB +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread (ATS): East Carolina -5 (-110) | UAB +5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
East Carolina at UAB picks and predictions
Prediction
East Carolina 24, UAB 20
Moneyline
PASS.
There is minimal value on the Pirates (-210), who have won 3 games in a row, to win Thursday.
Against the spread
BET UAB +5 (-108).
While the Blazers have dropped 2 of their last 4, they are undefeated at home, while winning outright their only game at home in which they entered as underdogs. They will need Burton to have a much more efficient and effective game under center and limit turnovers, but the Blazers face a Pirates team that has covered just once in the 3 games they've entered as favorites.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 47.5 (-110).
Combined, these teams have a 2-9 Over record this season, while neither side is showing much to overcome that this week.
The Pirates have scored at least 20 points in each of their last 4 games, but only more than 28 once. Defensively, they have played well, allowing 17 or fewer points in each of their last 3. They have hit the Under in 4 straight.
The Blazers have scored 14 or fewer points in 2 of their last 4 games, while hitting the Under in each of their last 5. They have allowed 21 or fewer points in 4 of their last 5.
Best prop bet
BET ANY TEAM TO SCORE 30+ POINTS: NO (-135 on DraftKings Sportsbook).
The Pirates have scored 30 or more points just once this season, a game in which they were 37.5-point favorites. The only game in which they allowed more than 30 points came in their opening game against Alabama, a team they were heavily outmatched against.
The Blazers have also only topped 30 points in a single game this season, while allowing at least 30 twice. While their defense can be a liability, a home game on a weeknight is the perfect setting for the team to come alive.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: East Carolina Pirates at UAB Blazers odds, picks and predictions
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