FBS-CFB Game Preview: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-4) vs. East Carolina Pirates (3-3)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT local)

Broadcast: ESPN

Weather: Clear skies, mid-60s, light breeze

Team Recent Form

East Carolina Pirates: Coming off a 26-19 loss to Tulane. ECU averages 436.7 YPG (35th nationally), led by a strong passing game (292.5 YPG, 20th). Defensively, they allow just 15.5 PPG (15th nationally).

Tulsa Golden Hurricane: Blown out 45-7 by Memphis in their last outing. Tulsa averages 368.5 YPG (83rd) but struggles to score (18.7 PPG, 120th). Defensively, they allow 26.3 PPG (83rd) and are vulnerable against the run.

Recent Form (last 3 games):

ECU: L vs. Tulane (26-19), W vs. Temple (31-14), L vs. Navy (23-20)

Tulsa: L vs. Memphis (45-7), L vs. Tulane (34-17), W vs. North Texas (28-24)

Injury Report

East Carolina: No major injuries reported; QB Katin Houser fully healthy.

Tulsa: QB rotation unsettled; Baylor Hayes and Kirk Francis have both seen time, with Francis throwing 3 INTs vs. Memphis.

Key Player Matchups

Quarterbacks:

Katin Houser (ECU) – 1,689 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT, 67.6% completion.

Baylor Hayes (Tulsa) – 782 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT, 60.8% completion.

Running Backs:

London Montgomery (ECU) – 240 yards, 2 TDs.

Dominic Richardson (Tulsa) – 538 yards, 2 TDs.

Receivers:

Anthony Smith (ECU) – 406 yards, 30 catches, 1 TD.

Zion Booker (Tulsa) – 288 yards, 34 catches, 1 TD.

Series History

ECU leads the all-time series 10-9.

The Pirates have won 3 of the last 4 meetings, including a 29-27 win in 2024.

Betting Trends

Against the Spread (ATS):

ECU: 4-2 ATS this season, 1-0 ATS as a 16.5+ favorite.

Tulsa: 2-4 ATS, 0-1 ATS as a 16.5+ underdog.

Totals:

ECU games: 1 Over, 5 Unders.

Tulsa games: 1 Over, 5 Unders.

Score Projection: East Carolina 35 – Tulsa 13

Game Odds

Tulsa Golden Hurricane                 53.5

East Carolina Pirates                      – 17.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, October 15, 2025