North Carolina Central at East Carolina - 2026 Matchup Preview
North Carolina Central logo   North Carolina Central Eagles at East Carolina Pirates  East Carolina logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium - Greenville, NC

 
Eagles (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 6 - 54 (6 - 54 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
ECU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: East Carolina -5.5  (SP+ ECU -8)
ECU Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
Pirates (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Blake Harrell (14 - 5)
Avg Score : 33 - 20 (36 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#20)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
North Carolina Central's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/26 North Carolina Central at East Carolina+5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for North Carolina Central's Schedule
East Carolina's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 East Carolina at Alabama+19
Sat 9/12 East Carolina vs App State-16.5
Sat 9/19 East Carolina at Old Dominion-1.5
Sat 9/26 East Carolina vs North Carolina Central-26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 East Carolina vs Rice-19.5
Thu 10/15 East Carolina at UAB-16
Thu 10/22 East Carolina at Memphis+5.5
Sat 10/31 East Carolina vs Temple-10.5
Fri 11/6 East Carolina vs South Florida+2
Sat 11/14 East Carolina at Charlotte-21
Sat 11/21 East Carolina at Army-2.5
Fri 11/27 East Carolina vs Florida Atlantic-13.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for East Carolina's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NCCU0%60%000%000%540%0%0000
ECU#40 (.21)46% (22)32.745% (55)3.04 (54)17649% (11)2733.76 (63)#33 (.09)38% (27)20.138% (17)39% (45)3.05 (19)61.51.11.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NCCU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ECU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NCCU Offense1660%00000000%0%0%0%0%
ECU Defense1320.119.838.3%3.051.8 - - - - - 47%52%38%39%19%.09
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NCCU Defense154540%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
ECU Offense1332.736.246.4%3.761.1234491762734.152%46%45%49%13%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
North Carolina Central10:000NAN%0%0000000100
East Carolina1328:1923.347%47%7.261.51.11.87.82.3131.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NCCU Offense10%0%000000%0%0
ECU Defense1347% (30)38% (17) - - - - .02 (24)2.51 (11)49% (1)14% (5)1.09 (123)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NCCU Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
ECU Offense1352% (44)45% (55)43176.34.131 (30).09 (77)3.04 (54)69% (94)8% (30)0.83 (120)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NCCU Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
ECU Defense1352% (113)39% (45) - - - - - - 10 (100).17 (36)1.4 (22)36% (11)28% (44).18 (23)6% (81)1.8 (22)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NCCU Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
ECU Offense1346% (91)49% (11)21.933.8272.78.112.422 (61)6 (34).37 (32)1.5 (71)26% (7)37% (12).49 (13)5% (33)1.8 (118)

North Carolina Central's Power Ratings
North Carolina Central's Power Rating: NR
North Carolina Central's Offense Rating: NR
North Carolina Central's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
North Carolina Central's 2026 Expected Record: -
North Carolina Central's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
North Carolina Central's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
North Carolina Central's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MEAC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
North Carolina Central:    East Carolina: 5.44

SP+ Ratings Matchup
North Carolina Central:    East Carolina: 8.0




East Carolina's Power Ratings
East Carolina's Power Rating: 5.44  #79
East Carolina's Offense Rating: 9.26  #90
East Carolina's Defense Rating: 16.38  #72
2026 Talent Rating: 636.00  #85
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #87
East Carolina's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
East Carolina's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.0  #38
East Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.6  #33
East Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.0  #51

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


North Carolina Central Scoring
Offense: 6 PPG
Offense on Road: 6
Defense: 54 PPG
Defense on Road: 54

North Carolina Central's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
East Carolina 31
North Carolina Central 26

Projected Total Points: 57
East Carolina Scoring
Offense: 32.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.2
Defense: 20.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.8

East Carolina's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201408/30East Carolina52North Carolina Central7East Carolina -39East Carolina0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
East Carolina110 Overs
North Carolina Central000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#) NCCU at (#79) ECU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNCCUECU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #79
SP+SP+NR #38
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #85
Blue ChipsBC%NR #87
East Carolina Notes
(2/25) Vibes: Good, Harrel a 14-5 start, won 9 LY
(2/25) Sneaky good portal class, #12 in G5
(2/25) QB1 Griffis (TT) vs Williams (Miami) will battle
(2/25) RB Allen (Marsh) & Gray (UNT) with depth
(2/25) WR has good looking trio & really good depth
(2/25) OL has 3 starters, need help at OT, 3 portals
(2/25) DL looks workable, solid DT combo, need rush
(2/25) Def back 7 needs work, 8 portals should help
East Carolina Injury Report
North Carolina Central on Offense
CategoryCat
NCCU OffECU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #27
ExplosiveExpNR #84
PPAPPANR #33
PowerPwrNR #72
SP+SP+NR #51
Pts POPPONR #19
HavocHavNR #11
North Carolina Central Run Game
CategoryCat
NCCU OffECU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #17
Run ExplRExpNR #123
PPAExpNR #24
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #11
Stuff RateStuffNR #3
TackleTak - NR
North Carolina Central Pass Game
CategoryCat
NCCU OffECU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #45
Pass ExplPExlNR #22
PPAExpNR #36
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #5
DB HavocDBNR #81
East Carolina on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatECU OffNCCU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #22NR
ExplosiveExp #111NR
PPAPPA #40NR
PowerPwr #90NR
SP+SP+ #33NR
Pts POPPO #63NR
HavocHav #25NR
East Carolina Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffNCCU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #55NR
Run ExplRExp #120NR
PPAExp #77NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #54NR
Stuff RateStuff #13NR
TackleTak - NR
East Carolina Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatECU OffNCCU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #11NR
Pass ExplPExl #71NR
PPAExp #32NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #30NR
DB HavocDB #33NR
Program Comparison
ECU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

NCCU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
NCCU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View North Carolina Central's Full Roster

NCCU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

ECU's OC Jordan Davis (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Mitch Griffis (Tr)263672%357209.9
Emory Williams (Tr)131968%156008.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Michael Allen (Tr)7738545.068
Ashton Gray (Tr)5837756.551
TJ Engleman5930615.223
DeJuan Lacy104414.415
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brock Spalding42554313.255
Ja'Keith Hamilton (Tr)40545513.664
Landon Sides (Tr)34449113.260
Ismael Smith Flores19227611.943

View East Carolina's Full Roster

ECU's DC Jordan Hankins (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zyeir Gamble (Tr)724004
DJ Johnson Jr.605120
Ayden Duncanson331001
Preston Carr315220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jasiyah Robinson267530
Kendrick DuJour115411
Rion Roseborough166310
Preston Carr315220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zyeir Gamble (Tr)724004
Ashton Levells (Tr)211004
Kevon Merrell275012