As BYU (2-0) prepares for this week’s game against East Carolina (2-1), the Cougars look to prove to the nation they are worthy of a Top 25 ranking. Here’s our preview as Kalani Sitake’s squad prepares to head into battle against the Pirates.
East Carolina Pirates recent history
As part of the American Conference, East Carolina has had some ups and downs in recent years. From 2015 through 2020 the Pirates had six consecutive losing seasons and failed to exceed three wins four times in that span. But they've had three winning seasons over the last four years, including victories in the Military Bowl last year and the Birmingham Bowl in 2022.
Despite playing on the other side of the country from Provo, Utah, in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU has some recent history with BYU, and it hasn't been good for the Cougars.
In 2022 the Pirates came to Provo and beat the Cougars 27-24 on a last-second field goal. ECU shredded BYU's soft "bend but don't break" defense (*shudders at the thought*) on the ground to the tune of 227 rushing yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
During BYU's awful 2017 season which the Cougars started with a 1-7 record, ECU pounded the Cougars 33-17 in Greenville. ECU backup quarterback and future NFL player Gardner Minshew threw two fourth quarter touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
ECU's current season
The Pirates are off to a solid start for the season. They lost their first game of the year on the road at North Carolina State in a hard-fought 24-17 contest. ECU then pummeled Campbell 56-3, then beat up on Coastal Carolina 38-0.
ESPN's Football Power Index ranks ECU No. 52 compared to BYU's No. 22 ranking.
Quarterback Katin Houser is off to an impressive start this season. He has thrown for 973 yards through three games, completing 71.6% of his passes. He has thrown five touchdowns to one interception and has been sacked just once.
What to watch for
Can the 2025 Cougars get revenge for the two previous losses in this series back in 2017 and 2022?
Or will Kalani Sitake's squad fall to the curse of the Cougars playing generally uninspired football in the Appalachians?
As I wrote in the game-by-game predictions for this season, BYU has been lousy when playing in or near the Carolinas. I know this all too well because I have lived in North Carolina for over 20 years and carry some scars. Sloppy performances -- and mostly losses -- in recent years at Virginia, ECU, Coastal Carolina, and Southern Georgia don't bode well as the Cougars now travel to the Carolinas. In fact, before the season, I predicted a BYU loss in this game.
Let's watch and see if BYU with freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier can avenge two somewhat recent losses to ECU and overcome the "Appalachian Curse" that seems to haunt them in the Carolinas.