The EC Pirates struggled in 2020, but at least have some momentum heading into this season after back-to-back blowout wins over Temple and SMU to end the year.
East Carolina managed a solid offense last season despite the poor overall record, averaging 30.2 points on 403.3 yards per game.

There are reasons for optimism in Greenville with 20 starters returning, including veteran quarterback Holton Ahlers, who has completed 556 of 974 pass attempts for 7,099 yards, 51 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in his three years as the starter. Ahlers will have plenty of weapons to throw to plus a new TE transfer stud.

Improvement on the defensive end is going to require more development from a lot of young starters, including cornerback JaQuan McMillian, who has seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups in the last two years. Linebackers Xavier Smith and Jireh Wilson should continue to disrupt opponents after combining for 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks a year ago. I think its too many points here and we are backing the dog with EC.