East Carolina at Memphis - 2026 Matchup Preview
East Carolina logo   East Carolina Pirates at Memphis Tigers  Memphis logo
Thursday, October 22nd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium - Memphis, TN  (American Athletic)

 
Pirates (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Blake Harrell (14 - 5)
Avg Score : 33 - 20 (31 - 21 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#20)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
ECU 2nd straight Road Game
MEM is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Memphis -5.5  (SP+ ECU -0.5)
Projected Score: ECU: 25 - MEM: 30 (55)
MEM Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
ECU Travel: 711 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Charles Huff (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 33 - 23 (34 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 9.1 - 2.9 (#15)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
 
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
Memphis's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29 Memphis at UNLV-1.5
Sat 9/5 Memphis vs Arkansas State-25
Sat 9/12 Memphis at Boise State+0.5
Sat 9/19 Memphis vs UT Martin-29.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 Memphis at Charlotte-24
Sat 10/10 Memphis vs UAB-24
Fri 10/16 Memphis at Tulane-2
Thu 10/22 Memphis vs East Carolina-5.5
Sat 10/31 Memphis vs Army-10.5
BYE WEEK
Thu 11/12 Memphis at South Florida+4.5
Sat 11/21 Memphis at Navy-3
Sat 11/28 Memphis vs Temple-13.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Memphis'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
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
MEM#24 (.26)45% (40)32.549% (12)3.33 (11)18342% (70)2284.41 (23)#92 (.19)42% (66)23.239% (32)45% (110)4 (100)48.10.91.5
 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
ECU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MEM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ECU Offense1332.730.846.4%3.761.1234491762734.152%46%45%49%13%.21
MEM Defense1323.224.241.6%41.5 - - - - - 50%49%39%45%17%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ECU Defense1320.120.838.3%3.051.8 - - - - - 47%52%38%39%19%.09
MEM Offense1332.534.244.9%4.410.9234121832285.148%50%49%42%14%.26

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
East Carolina1328:1923.347%47%7.261.51.11.87.82.3131.2
Memphis1331:3822.742%56%5.548.10.91.561.6329.4
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
ECU Offense1352% (44)45% (55)43176.34.131 (30).09 (77)3.04 (54)69% (94)8% (30)0.83 (120)
MEM Defense1350% (71)39% (32) - - - - .04 (32)2.57 (13)73% (87)11% (28)0.98 (81)
 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
ECU Defense1347% (30)38% (17) - - - - .02 (24)2.51 (11)49% (1)14% (5)1.09 (123)
MEM Offense1348% (79)49% (12)36.2183.25.134 (1).3 (5)3.33 (11)75% (47)10% (98)1.17 (7)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
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)
MEM Defense1349% (72)45% (110) - - - - - - 12 (6).37 (118)1.6 (105)32% (62)30% (77).37 (105)6% (47)2.1 (113)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ECU Defense1352% (113)39% (45) - - - - - - 10 (100).17 (36)1.4 (22)36% (11)28% (44).18 (23)6% (81)1.8 (22)
MEM Offense1350% (60)42% (70)21.431.7228.47.210.717 (86)9 (88).23 (80)1.5 (95)32% (83)32% (42).34 (55)4% (14)2.1 (43)

East Carolina's Power Ratings
East Carolina's Power Rating: -2.12  #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

Power Ratings Matchup
East Carolina: -2.12   Memphis: 8.33

SP+ Ratings Matchup
East Carolina: 8.0   Memphis: 7.6




Memphis's Power Ratings
Memphis's Power Rating: 8.33  #58
Memphis's Offense Rating: 15.50  #46
Memphis's Defense Rating: 16.44  #74
2026 Talent Rating: 848.00  #49
Blue Chip Ratio: 2  #72
Memphis's 2026 Expected Record: 9.1 - 2.9
Memphis's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 7.6  #39
Memphis's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.3  #21
Memphis's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.3  #75

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


East Carolina Scoring
Offense: 32.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 30.8
Defense: 20.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 20.8

East Carolina'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
Memphis 30
East Carolina 25

Projected Total Points: 55
Memphis Scoring
Offense: 32.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 34.2
Defense: 23.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 24.2

Memphis'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
202511/15East Carolina31Memphis27East Carolina -3East Carolina56.5Over
202210/15East Carolina47Memphis45East Carolina -5.5Memphis62.5Over
202111/13Memphis29East Carolina30Memphis -4East Carolina58.5Over
201811/03East Carolina41Memphis59Memphis -11Memphis66.5Over
201711/25Memphis70East Carolina13Memphis -29.5Memphis81.0Over
201210/13East Carolina41Memphis7
201110/15Memphis17East Carolina35
201009/11East Carolina49Memphis27
200910/27Memphis19East Carolina38
200810/18East Carolina30Memphis10
200711/03Memphis40East Carolina56
200609/16East Carolina35Memphis20
200510/22Memphis27East Carolina24
200411/20East Carolina35Memphis38
200311/01Memphis41East Carolina24
200110/20East Carolina32Memphis11
200010/06Memphis17East Carolina10
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Memphis635 Overs
East Carolina1120 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams11 - 62 - 32 - 20 - 1
Road Teams6 - 113 - 21 - 02 - 2

(#79) ECU at (#58) MEM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatECUMEM
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #79 #58
SP+SP+ #38 #39
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #85 #49
Blue ChipsBC% #87 #72
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
Memphis Notes
(2/2) HC Huff good hire, OC Decker (ODU) great hire
Memphis Injury Report
East Carolina on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffMEM Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #22 #66
ExplosiveExp #111 #104
PPAPPA #40 #92
PowerPwr #90 #74
SP+SP+ #33 #75
Pts POPPO #63 #100
HavocHav #25 #30
East Carolina Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffMEM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #55 #32
Run ExplRExp #120 #81
PPAExp #77 #32
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #54 #13
Stuff RateStuff #13 #29
TackleTak - NR
East Carolina Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffMEM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #11 #110
Pass ExplPExl #71 #105
PPAExp #32 #118
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #30 #28
DB HavocDB #33 #47
Memphis on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatMEM OffECU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #40 #27
ExplosiveExp #31 #84
PPAPPA #24 #33
PowerPwr #46 #72
SP+SP+ #21 #51
Pts POPPO #23 #19
HavocHav #49 #11
Memphis Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
MEM OffECU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #12 #17
Run ExplRExp #7 #123
PPAExp #5 #24
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #11 #11
Stuff RateStuff #75 #3
TackleTak - NR
Memphis Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatMEM OffECU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #70 #45
Pass ExplPExl #95 #22
PPAExp #80 #36
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #5
DB HavocDB #14 #81
Program Comparison
MEM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

ECU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
East Carolina beat Memphis last year (31-27)

  
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

MEM's OC Kevin Decker (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Air Noland (Tr)2367%13004.3
Brady Kluse11100%140014.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dallan Hayden (Tr)7032614.742
Manny Covey (Tr)2719417.236
Tychaun Chapman (Tr)112012.012
Air Noland (Tr)1404.04
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tychaun Chapman (Tr)24444318.550
Hunter Tipton (Tr)39411210.537
Brady Kluse22240210.925
Justin Hughes9132014.733

View Memphis's Full Roster

MEM's DC Lance Guidry (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Montgomery (Tr)1066302
Ian Foster (Tr)764127
J'Mond Tapp (Tr)69128102
Ahmere Foster (Tr)471012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Mond Tapp (Tr)69128102
Michael Montgomery (Tr)1066302
Taylor Burton112112
Ian Foster (Tr)764127
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Richard271008
Ian Foster (Tr)764127
Michael Montgomery (Tr)1066302