East Carolina Pirates vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

Where to Watch:  Peacock

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  ECU +36, Michigan -36; Over/Under:  51.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  ECU +36, Michigan -36; Over/Under:  51.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  ECU +36.5, Michigan -36.5; Over/Under:  51.5 points

East Carolina Pirates:  0-0 (AAC)

Michigan Wolverines:  0-0 (Big Ten East)

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East Carolina Pirates:  N/A

Michigan Wolverines:  N/A

East Carolina finished last season with an 8-5 record overall and they had a 4-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-3 in their home games, 2-2 in their road games, and they were also 2-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 32.5 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 27.2 points per game. Their offense also averaged 461.1 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 404.3 yards per game. Holton Ahlers led the team in passing yards with 3708, Keaton Mitchell led the team in rushing yards with 1452, and Isaiah Winstead led the team in receiving yards with 1085.

 

 

 

Michigan finished last season with a 13-1 record overall and they had a 9-0 record in their conference games too.  They were 8-0 in their home games, 4-0 in their road games, and they were also 1-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 40.4 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 16.1 points per game. Their offense also averaged 458.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 292.1 yards per game. J.J. McCarthy led the team in passing yards with 2719, Blake Corum led the team in rushing yards with 1463, and Ronnie Bell led the team in receiving yards with 889.

The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 36 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan finished last season with a 13-1 record overall and they were 9-0 in their conference games as they were a dominant force in the Big Ten once again. Their only loss of the season came in the college football playoffs as they lost to TCU but they are going to have a bad taste in their mouth from that loss, especially after seeing what TCU did in the National Championship, so they are going to be really focused on making the playoffs once again but this time going to the finals. They were great in their home games last season as they had an 8-0 home record and they will be looking to run up the scores in every game they place this season as they hold nothing back to ensure they finally get to a National Championship game. East Carolina did have a good season themselves last year as they finished with an 8-5 record overall but they were only 4-4 in their conference games as they struggled against their own AAC opponents who are generally weaker than the teams in the Big Ten. East Carolina was also just 2-2 in their road games last season and they are going to have a really difficult time traveling to Michigan for this game against one of the best teams in the country with a big point to prove this season. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game.

East Carolina Michigan Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Michigan 61 ECU 13.

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East Carolina Pirates: 5-11 ATS as a road underdog of 21.5 or more points. 16-23 ATS in a road game where the total is between 49.5 and 56. 32-45 ATS in games played on turf. 

Michigan Wolverines: 19-9 ATS in all games. 16-8 ATS as a favorite. 10-5 ATS in home games. 11-2 UNDER as a home favorite. 

East Carolina Pirates:  None.

Michigan Wolverines:  None.

"It's an exciting time of the year, had a great scrimmage this morning in the stadium with our team. Very pleased with a lot of things today. I'm pleased with the week overall and excited about some of the things I saw this morning. Camp is kind of done now and we start getting ready for our opener, starting at the beginning of the week. The kids are excited about that. I think the staff is too. Camp has been challenging. It's been a tough one, but I think that we finished trending upward quickly. I love the things I saw this morning. We're about a third of the way through the tape but excited to finish that up with the kids and get started with our prep for Michigan." - Mike Houston on his team coming into this 1st game of the college football season.

"I'm certain that all will be impressed with the four coaches' ability to direct and manage the game. It's been well documented that we have a very talented coaching staff and I believe that all 10 assistant coaches will be head coaches in the near future. They are all capable of leading a team at an elite level. I know that everyone will handle their responsibilities and help our players to be the best version of themselves on and off the field this fall and beyond." - Jim Harbaugh on his coaching staff for the games he will be absent due to his suspension.

WR Robinson, Kelan 

WR Hatfield, Jsi 

WR Johnson, Jaylen 

TE Calhoun, Shane 

QB Garcia, Mason 

RB Gunn Jr., Marlon 

WR Johnson, Cornelius 

WR Clemons, Darrius 

WR Wilson, Roman 

TE Loveland, Colston 

QB McCarthy, J.J. 

RB Corum, Blake 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

East Carolina Pirates: Mike Houston (5th season)

Michigan Wolverines: Jim Harbaugh (9th season)