Pittsburgh Panthers vs East Carolina Pirates Prediction, 12/27/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Panthers vs East Carolina Pirates

Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025

Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Pirates (+10.0)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

The Pittsburgh Panthers (8-4) are en route to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday, December 27, 2025 where they will take on the East Carolina Pirates (8-4) in the Go Bowling Military Bowl. East Carolina opens this game as 10.0-point dogs. The over/under is set at 56.5.

The Pittsburgh Panthers come into this game with a record of 8-4 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Panthers faced the Miami Hurricanes and went home with a loss by a final score of 38-7. When the final whistle blew, they tallied 54 plays which totaled 229 yds. The Pittsburgh Panthers ended up running the ball 21 different times and totaled 30 yards, which earned them an average of 1.4 yards per attempt. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Panthers gave up 140 yds on 39 attempts, which averages out to 3.6 yds per rush surrendered. Pittsburgh allowed 24 pass completions on 32 attempts for 276 yds, and a completion percentage of 75.0%.

When talking about putting the ball in the endzone, the Pittsburgh Panthers have an average of 35.1 points per outing. As a unit they have an average of 117.0 yards on the ground ranking them 115th in D-1. The Panthers have earned 4,702 total yards for the year. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Pittsburgh has earned 28 passing touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns. Pittsburgh has compiled 246 first downs as an offense, and they have been hurt by 92 infractions for 836 yds. They have turned the ball over 18 different times.

Concerning yards through the air, the Panthers are giving up 2,882 yards which has them ranked 99th in D-1. They have surrendered 240.2 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 63.5%. Overall, they have allowed 337.2 yards per contest putting them at 39th in the country. They have surrendered 26 touchdowns via the pass as well as 12 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 2.8 yards per run and 97.0 rushing yards per contest so far this season. During the season, they have allowed 1,164 running yards through 12 contests. The Panthers rank 69th in Division 1 regarding their opponents scoring, allowing 24.9 points per game.

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The Pirates head into this matchup 8-4 this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Pirates took home the win by a final score of 42-3 against the Florida Atlantic Owls. East Carolina rushed the football for 4.5 yards per carry, finishing the game with 254 yards on 56 carries. The Pirates ended up finishing with 512 yds and they ran 86 plays (6.0 yds per play). The Pirates secondary conceded a completion percentage of 60.8%, surrendering 299 yds on 31 for 51 passing. East Carolina conceded 22 rushing attempts for 39 yds (1.8 yards per rush).

The East Carolina Pirates hold an average of 464.7 yards per contest, which is good for 14th in the country. The East Carolina offense has compiled 760 yards of penalties on 89 violations, which has them sitting 23rd in D-1 in terms of helping out the other team. They average 184.0 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 2,208 yards for the season. They have thrown 6 picks while letting opponents recover 7 fumbles and they have been able to earn 292 1st downs. When it comes to the points being put on the board, the Pirates are 22nd in D-1 with 33.5 points per game. Over the course of the season to this point, the Pirates have compiled 3,368 yards via the pass along with an average of 280.7 throwing yards per outing, putting them at 16th in the country.

The Pirates are giving up 20.3 PPG, ranking them 28th in D-1. East Carolina has allowed the opposition a total of 1,444 yards via the ground game (120.3 yards per game) and 11 touchdowns via the rush on the campaign. They have given up 16 touchdowns through the air as well as 228.7 yards/contest, which has them ranked 88th in college football. The Pirates defense has taken part in 809 plays, which ranks 64th in the country. They have totaled 10 fumbles recovered and 10 interceptions over the course of the season. This season, they have allowed 244 total points.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Pirates college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Pirates +10.0

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