- Event: East Carolina Pirates vs Alabama Crimson Tide
- Scheduled Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Betting Odds: Crimson Tide favored by 28.5 points
- Total Points Over/Under: 52.5
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The East Carolina Pirates, fresh off a 9-4 season, will visit Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026, aiming for victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide, who finished last year at 11-4. Alabama is opening as 28.5-point favorites. The total points are set at 52.5.
Last season, the East Carolina Pirates concluded their campaign with a record of 9-4. In their finale, they triumphed over the Pittsburgh Panthers with a score of 23-17. In terms of performance on the field, the Pirates allowed 120 rushing yards on 40 attempts, yielding an average of 3.0 yards per carry. Through the air, they conceded 25 completions on 40 attempts for a total of 256 yards at a completion rate of 62.5%. Overall, the Pirates executed 59 plays for a total of 249 yards, while rushing 42 times to gain 72 yards at an average of 1.7 yards per attempt.
In terms of scoring, the East Carolina Pirates averaged 32.7 points per game. They recorded an average of 176.3 rushing yards, placing them 45th nationally. In total, East Carolina amassed 5,837 yards last season, with 22 passing touchdowns and 31 rushing touchdowns. They registered 303 first downs and incurred 94 penalties totaling 800 yards, resulting in 14 turnovers.
Defensively, the Pirates allowed a significant 3,000 passing yards, ranking 98th in the nation. Across 13 games, they permitted an average of 230.8 yards per game through the air and had a completion percentage against of 63.6%. Overall, they conceded 351.0 yards per game, putting them at 50th nationally, with 16 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns allowed. The Pirates yielded an average of 3.6 rushing yards per carry, conceding 120.2 rushing yards per game. Last season, they allowed a total of 1,563 rushing yards and ranked 25th in Division 1 for opponent scoring, allowing 20.1 points per game.
The Alabama Crimson Tide concluded their last season with an 11-4 record. They faced a tough defeat in their latest matchup, losing 38-3 against the Indiana Hoosiers. In that game, Alabama permitted 215 rushing yards on 50 attempts, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. The Crimson Tide’s pass defense allowed an 87.5% completion rate, yielding 192 yards on 14 completions out of 16 attempts. Offensively, they only managed 193 yards through 50 plays, averaging 3.9 yards per play, and rushed for a meager 1.4 yards per carry, totaling 23 yards on 17 attempts.
The Crimson Tide averaged 367.7 total yards per game, ranking them 84th in Division 1 football. They accrued 596 yards in penalties over 68 infractions, placing them at 100th in the nation for penalty yardage. Alabama’s rushing game averaged 104.1 yards per game, totaling 1,562 rushing yards throughout the season. They threw 5 interceptions and fumbled 8 times, while achieving 305 first downs. Scoring, Alabama ranked 49th in Division 1, averaging 29.5 points per contest. The team accumulated 3,953 passing yards last season, averaging 263.5 yards per game, which positioned them 29th nationally.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide averaged 19.2 points allowed per game, ranking 20th in college football. They conceded 1,904 rushing yards (126.9 yards per game) and allowed 17 rushing touchdowns during the previous season. Additionally, they allowed 17 passing touchdowns and 169.9 passing yards per game, ranking 9th nationally. Alabama’s defense faced a total of 905 plays, putting them at 108th in Division 1, and recovered 9 fumbles while securing 11 interceptions throughout the season. In total, they allowed 288 points last season.
Who will emerge victorious in the upcoming game between the Pirates and Crimson Tide against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on the Crimson Tide -28.5
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