East Carolina at UAB - 2026 Matchup Preview
East Carolina logo

East Carolina Pirates at UAB Blazers

UAB logo
Thursday, October 15th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Protective Stadium - Birmingham, AL  (American Athletic)

 
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)
UAB is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: East Carolina -18  (SP+ ECU -24)

Projected Score: ECU: 39 - UAB: 21 (59)
ECU Win prob: 91% | Cover: 49%
ECU Travel: 556 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Blazers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Alex Mortensen (2 - 4)
Avg Score : 26 - 38 (28 - 38 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.2 - 8.8 (#107)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 3) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 4)
 
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
UAB's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5UAB at Illinois+28.5
Sat 9/12UAB vs UL Monroe-6
Sat 9/19UAB at Louisiana+11.5
Fri 9/25UAB vs Navy+15.5
Sat 10/3UAB vs Samford-7.5
Sat 10/10UAB at Memphis+24
Thu 10/15UAB vs East Carolina+18
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31UAB at South Florida+25
Sat 11/7UAB vs Charlotte-9
Sat 11/14UAB at Temple+14
Sat 11/21UAB vs UTSA+15.5
Sat 11/28UAB at North Texas+24.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 3, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 3, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for UAB'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
UAB#52 (.19)42% (65)26.444% (61)3.12 (36)13942% (61)2663.63 (76)#135 (.34)49% (132)38.350% (131)48% (125)4.71 (135)61.21.80.8
 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
ECU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UAB0%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
UAB Defense1238.337.748.9%4.710.8 - - - - - 61%38%50%48%12%.34
 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
UAB Offense1226.428.242.4%3.631.8224041392664.245%53%44%42%15%.19

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
UAB1231:182246%47%7.461.21.80.84.11.4128.9
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)
UAB Defense1261% (136)50% (131) - - - - .22 (127)3.35 (131)83% (129)8% (115)0.91 (42)
 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)
UAB Offense1245% (109)44% (61)32.9138.84.220 (49).17 (42)3.12 (36)71% (79)9% (67)1.09 (24)

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)
UAB Defense1238% (1)48% (125) - - - - - - 4 (100).52 (136)1.9 (135)27% (131)32% (93).41 (115)4% (130)2.1 (106)
 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)
UAB Offense1253% (32)42% (61)23.936.5265.67.311.120 (42)16 (88).27 (59)1.5 (72)31% (66)33% (30).36 (48)6% (65)2.1 (39)

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: 676.61

Power Ratings Matchup
East Carolina: 1.41   UAB: -13.465

SP+ Ratings Matchup
East Carolina: 8.0   UAB: -15.8




UAB's Power Ratings
UAB's Power Rating: -13.465  #124
UAB's Offense Rating: 7.28  #127
UAB's Defense Rating: 23.41  #125
2026 Talent Rating: 458.00  #111
Blue Chip Ratio: 125  #81
UAB's 2026 Expected Record: 3.2 - 8.8
UAB's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -15.8  #125
UAB's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #80
UAB's Defense SP+ Rating: 39.8  #132

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 513
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61


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
East Carolina 39
UAB 21


Projected Total Points: 59
UAB Scoring
Offense: 26.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.2
Defense: 38.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 37.7

UAB'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
201311/16East Carolina63UAB14East Carolina -25East Carolina0
201210/20UAB35East Carolina42
201109/24East Carolina28UAB23
201011/11UAB42East Carolina54
200911/21East Carolina37UAB21
200811/22UAB13East Carolina17
200710/27East Carolina41UAB6
200609/09UAB17East Carolina12
200511/26East Carolina31UAB23
200010/27East Carolina13UAB16
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UAB200 Overs
East Carolina810 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 41 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams4 - 60 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#60) ECU at (#124) UAB
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatECUUAB
Game ControlGC #67 #121
Momentum ControlMC #21 #121
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #60 #124
SP+SP+ #37 #125
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #90 #111
Blue ChipsBC% #81 #81
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
UAB Notes
(2/28) Vibes: Much better than anticipated. Can win TY
(2/28) DL 9 portals, most exp'd from FCS. DT a big ?
(2/28) Def back 7 added 17 portals, exp'd FCS guys
(2/27) QB Burton 3 starts LY, was OK but can't run
(2/27) RB surprisingly good, have 3 strong portal adds
(2/27) WR 4 portal adds with 0 catches. Weak unit
(2/27) OL has 2 starters, 3 portals and lots of ?
(2/24) New HC Mortensen a bad hire from LY bad staff
UAB Injury Report
East Carolina on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffUAB Def
Game ControlGC #91 #123
Momentum ControlMC #18 #123
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #22 #132
ExplosiveExp #111 #91
PPAPPA #40 #135
PowerPwr #66 #125
SP+SP+ #33 #132
Pts POPPO #63 #135
HavocHav #25 #130
East Carolina Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffUAB Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #55 #131
Run ExplRExp #120 #42
PPAExp #77 #127
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #54 #131
Stuff RateStuff #13 #130
TackleTak - NR
East Carolina Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffUAB Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #11 #125
Pass ExplPExl #71 #135
PPAExp #32 #136
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #30 #115
DB HavocDB #33 #130
UAB on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUAB OffECU Def
Game ControlGC #114 #39
Momentum ControlMC #95 #36
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #65 #27
ExplosiveExp #29 #84
PPAPPA #52 #33
PowerPwr #127 #61
SP+SP+ #80 #51
Pts POPPO #76 #19
HavocHav #64 #11
UAB Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UAB OffECU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #61 #17
Run ExplRExp #24 #123
PPAExp #42 #24
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #36 #11
Stuff RateStuff #54 #3
TackleTak - NR
UAB Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUAB OffECU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #61 #45
Pass ExplPExl #72 #22
PPAExp #59 #36
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #67 #5
DB HavocDB #65 #81
Program Comparison
UAB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Protective 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

UAB's OC Alex Mortensen (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ryder Burton629863%708757.2
Nate Rogers1250%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Braylon McReynolds (Tr)12461435.074
Ja'Vin Simpkins (Tr)12559024.746
Nate Rogers138426.515
Roderick Robinson II (Tr)62203.710
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaleb Brown17255215.061
Antonio Ferguson10115011.521
Braylon McReynolds (Tr)158015.314
Ja'Vin Simpkins (Tr)177404.421

View UAB's Full Roster

UAB's DC Todd Grantham (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Sweeting (Tr)371100
Muaaz Byard (Tr)374112
Shaun Myers (Tr)375101
Chris Burge325470
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Eli Hall (Tr)115413
Chris Burge325470
Darrell Sweeting (Tr)371100
Jeremiah Jordan (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jeremiah Jordan (Tr)192106
Delvon Gulley191013
Eli Hall (Tr)115413