East Carolina at Alabama - 2026 Matchup Preview
East Carolina logo

East Carolina Pirates at Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama logo
Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 AM EDT)
Bryant Denny Stadium - Tuscaloosa, AL

 
Pirates (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Blake Harrell (14 - 5)
Avg Score : 33 - 20 (31 - 21 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.8 - 3.2 (#15)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 7)
Our Line: Alabama -14  (SP+ ALA -7)
Projected Score: ECU: 19 - ALA: 33 (52)
ALA Win prob: 86% | Cover: 55%
ECU Travel: 603 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Crimson Tide (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kalen DeBoer (20 - 8)
Avg Score : 30 - 19 (39 - 11 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.8 - 3.2 (#15)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
 
East Carolina's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5East Carolina at Alabama+14
Sat 9/12East Carolina vs App State-17.5
Sat 9/19East Carolina at Old Dominion+1
Sat 9/26East Carolina vs North Carolina Central-28
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10East Carolina vs Rice-23
Thu 10/15East Carolina at UAB-18
Thu 10/22East Carolina at Memphis+3
Sat 10/31East Carolina vs Temple-12
Fri 11/6East Carolina vs South Florida-0.5
Sat 11/14East Carolina at Charlotte-24.5
Sat 11/21East Carolina at Army-2.5
Fri 11/27East Carolina vs Florida Atlantic-15

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 5
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
Alabama's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Alabama vs East Carolina-14
Sat 9/12Alabama at Kentucky-12.5
Sat 9/19Alabama vs Florida State-11.5
Sat 9/26Alabama vs South Carolina-13
Sat 10/3Alabama at Mississippi State-12.5
Sat 10/10Alabama vs Georgia+8
Sat 10/17Alabama at Tennessee+1
Sat 10/24Alabama vs Texas A&M-1
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Alabama at LSU+2.5
Sat 11/14Alabama at Vanderbilt-6.5
Sat 11/21Alabama vs Chattanooga-32.5
Sat 11/28Alabama vs Auburn-10

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

Predictions for Alabama'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
ALA#48 (.2)43% (62)29.540% (103)2.73 (109)10445% (33)2644.04 (38)#27 (.08)38% (23)19.239% (31)38% (33)3.65 (66)39.40.91.3
 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
ALA0%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
ALA Defense1519.211.437.9%3.651.3 - - - - - 50%48%39%38%18%.08
 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
ALA Offense1529.539.342.7%4.040.9203681042643.443%56%40%45%14%.2

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
Alabama1531:3420.342%61%4.539.40.91.35.72.2330.3
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)
ALA Defense1550% (74)39% (31) - - - - .1 (66)2.81 (53)75% (101)11% (19)1 (91)
 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)
ALA Offense1543% (118)40% (103)31104.23.421 (99).02 (115)2.73 (109)67% (100)8% (33)0.83 (122)

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)
ALA Defense1548% (60)38% (33) - - - - - - 11 (31).11 (17)1.5 (50)35% (19)28% (46).25 (53)6% (47)2 (72)
 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)
ALA Offense1556% (15)45% (33)22.934.9263.57.611.532 (2)5 (3).35 (37)1.6 (54)30% (49)33% (30).4 (29)5% (42)2 (72)

East Carolina's Power Ratings
East Carolina's Power Rating: 1.41  #60
East Carolina's Offense Rating: 15.77  #66
East Carolina's Defense Rating: 14.35  #61
2026 Talent Rating: 569.00  #90
Blue Chip Ratio: 125%  #81
East Carolina's 2026 Expected Record: 8.8 - 3.2
East Carolina's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.0  #37
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 513
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.7

Power Ratings Matchup
East Carolina: 1.41   Alabama: 18.59

SP+ Ratings Matchup
East Carolina: 8.0   Alabama: 14.8




Alabama's Power Ratings
Alabama's Power Rating: 18.59  #12
Alabama's Offense Rating: 21.66  #18
Alabama's Defense Rating: 4.28  #9
2026 Talent Rating: 1069.00  #7
Blue Chip Ratio: 999  #1
Alabama's 2026 Expected Record: 8.8 - 3.2
Alabama's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 14.8  #17
Alabama's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.2  #36
Alabama's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.1  #11

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.31
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.7


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
Alabama 33
East Carolina 19


Projected Total Points: 52
Alabama Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 39.3
Defense: 19.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 11.4

Alabama'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
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Alabama000 Overs
East Carolina000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#60) ECU at (#12) ALA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatECUALA
Game ControlGC #67 #18
Momentum ControlMC #21 #31
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #60 #12
SP+SP+ #37 #17
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #90 #7
Blue ChipsBC% #81 #1
East Carolina Notes
(2/25) Vibes: Good, Harrel a 14-5 start, won 9 LY
(3/26) New DC Hankins was Memphis DC last 2 years
(3/3) QB1 Williams (Miami) a name to watch, big add
(3/3) New OC Davis (N Tex) great, name to watch
(2/25) Sneaky good portal class, #12 in G5
(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
Alabama Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Shaky, '25 finish, new reality, talent down
(3/4) DBs one of the best units in CFB, deep & talented
(2/7) Least hyped Bama team since before Saban
(1/28) Lost 19 portals that went to P4 schools
(1/28) DeBoer a really good coach, is that enough?
(1/28) QB battle? Austin Mack vs phenom Keelon Russell
(1/28) RBs bad LY, lots of talent but no portal adds?
(1/28) WR L Brooks came on LY, Williams? Rogers added
(1/28) OL only 2 clear starters, 5/6 portal adds inexp'd
(1/28) Portal on lines: IN: 2 OL+5 DL, OUT: 7 OL+6 DL
(1/28) Portaled DTs w good exp but LB's/DE's needed
Alabama Injury Report
East Carolina on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffALA Def
Game ControlGC #91 #37
Momentum ControlMC #18 #37
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #22 #23
ExplosiveExp #111 #61
PPAPPA #40 #27
PowerPwr #66 #9
SP+SP+ #33 #11
Pts POPPO #63 #66
HavocHav #25 #26
East Carolina Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffALA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #55 #31
Run ExplRExp #120 #91
PPAExp #77 #66
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #54 #53
Stuff RateStuff #13 #66
TackleTak - NR
East Carolina Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffALA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #11 #33
Pass ExplPExl #71 #50
PPAExp #32 #17
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #30 #19
DB HavocDB #33 #47
Alabama on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatALA OffECU Def
Game ControlGC #13 #39
Momentum ControlMC #37 #36
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #62 #27
ExplosiveExp #50 #84
PPAPPA #48 #33
PowerPwr #18 #61
SP+SP+ #36 #51
Pts POPPO #38 #19
HavocHav #39 #11
Alabama Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
ALA OffECU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #103 #17
Run ExplRExp #122 #123
PPAExp #115 #24
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #109 #11
Stuff RateStuff #109 #3
TackleTak - NR
Alabama Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatALA OffECU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #33 #45
Pass ExplPExl #54 #22
PPAExp #37 #36
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #5
DB HavocDB #42 #81
Program Comparison
ALA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bryant Denny Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
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 Flores (Tr)19227611.943

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

ALA's OC Ryan Grubb (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Austin Mack243275%228207.1
Keelon Russell111573%143209.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Daniel Hill7528463.830
Kevin Riley5922423.822
AK Dear1914037.456
Austin Mack92212.420
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Ryan Williams49689414.175
Lotzeir Brooks32441213.853
Noah Rogers (Tr)31413213.348
Daniel Hill2820317.341

View Alabama's Full Roster

ALA's DC Kane Wommack (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brayson Hubbard745218
Caleb Woodson (Tr)573011
Yhonzae Pierre5215881
Keon Sabb523213
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Yhonzae Pierre5215881
Devan Thompkins (Tr)307312
Brayson Hubbard745218
Keon Sabb523213
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brayson Hubbard745218
Zabien Brown393006
Dijon Lee Jr.325005