It’s been said that syles make the fight. Styles may make this game as well when East Carolina and Boston College meet in Annapolis for Monday afternoon’s (Dec. 27th) Military Bowl.
Boston College is 4-1 when attempting 20 or fewer passes. The Eagles have preferred to let their physical and veteran offensive line take control at the line of scrimmage.
Conversely, East Carolina relies on veteran quarterback Holton Ahlers, as the Pirates rank 25th in FBS with an average of 35.3 pass attempts per game.
Those who bet online would be interested to know that the Pirates are 3-0 when Ahlers throws for more than 300 yards this season after going 1-9 in such games in the previous three seasons.
East Carolina ‘outran’ their odds, from eighth-best to win the American Athletic Conference coming into the season to finishing tied for third. The Pirates had an expected win total of 4½ and vaulted that number by the first week of November.
- Game: Boston College (6-6) vs. East Carolina (7-5)
- Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
- Day/Time: Monday, December 27, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
Boston College vs East Carolina Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| Boston College | +3 (-110) | +145 | 51½ (-110o) |
| East Carolina | -3 (-110) | -165 | 51½ (-110u) |
NFL prospects lead the way for physical Boston College Eagles
Boston College hasn’t won a bowl game since 2016 and the Eagles have lost seven of their last eight post-season appearances after winning eight in a row to begin the 2000’s.
There was a time when a Boston College offensive lineman would be selected annually in the NFL draft. That has happened with much less frequency as Chris Lindstrom is the only Eagles’ O-linemen selected in the last six drafts.
That figures to change with All-American guard Zion Johnson having a chance to become the third Eagles’ offensive lineman going in the first round in the last 20 years.
Johnson could have made himself available for the 2021 NFL draft, though he could be rewarded for his decision to return to college.
Alec Lindstrom could be the first center drafted and he could join his father and brother as NFL offensive linemen.
With those NFL prospects leading the way, along with fellow draft-eligible starters Ben Petrula and Tyler Vrabel, it’s surprise that the Eagles have been run-heavy team in recent seasons. BC is 19-3 when rushing for at least two touchdowns over the last four seasons and 5-20 when held under two rushing scores.
East Carolina’s defense ranks eighth in the American Athletic Conference with an average of 161.7 rushing yards per game allowed.
With a ball-control offense, seven of the last eight Boston College games have gone ‘under’ the college football odds total.
Injury Report
Tight end Trae Barry (ankle), defensive end Shitta Sillah, defensive backs Josh DeBerry and Deon Jones are questionable. Defensive backs Shawn Asbury (arm), Jason Maitre and Jahmin Muse, receivers CJ Lewis (finger) and Kobay White (knee), defensive tackle (Achilles) are out for the season.
Three Players to Watch
Running back Pat Garwo has rushed for 1045 yards. Defensive back Brandon Sebastian leads the Eagles with four interceptions and has two pass breakups despite missing three games. Offensive lineman Zion Johnson earned Walter Camp and Associated Press All-American honors.
BC LG Zion Johnson has been named to five All-American teams this year.
Last night’s recognition probably meant the most.
Johnson became the first-ever Eagles O-Lineman to earn a spot on the Walter Camp All-American first team.https://t.co/RGQEw23Yaj
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) December 10, 2021
Young East Carolina Pirates team is ahead of schedule
Its taken a while but the ECU Pirates are back in a bowl game. The Pirates played in bowl games after the 2012 2013 and 2014 seasons before averaging just 3.5 wins from 2015-2020.
New faces have energized the Pirates. Their top two rushers (Keaton Mitchell and Rahjai Harris) are freshmen, the No. 1 and 2 receivers (Tyler Snead and C.J. Johnson) are sophomores and of the 23 players with at least 10 tackles, nine as sophomores and seven are freshmen.
The youth and inexperience were evident as the Pirates lost to Appalachian State and South Carolina in the first two games of the season. However, win streaks of three and four games gave the Pirates a bowl season.
In the depth chart for the Cincinnati game, nearly three-quarters of the offensive and defensive players were either freshmen or sophomores. Regardless of the result in the Military Bowl, East Carolina already won since preparing for the bowl has given ECU extra weeks of practice, something the Pirates haven’t had in recent years.
East Carolina is 6-2 against the college football spreads in the last eight games and was only favored in three of those games.
Injury Report
Offensive lineman Jaquaez Powell is questionable. Offensive lineman Bailey Malovic (lower body) is out for the season.
Three Players to Watch
Freshman Mitchell has rushed for 1132 yards. East Carolina is 4-0 when he rushes for more than 100 yards. He is also a threat in the passing game with 22 receptions.
Ahlers has thrown for 3130 yards with 18 touchdown passes, while second with six touchdown runs. Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian leads ECU with five interceptions and a dozen over the last three seasons. He earned All-American honors from the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, Phil Steele Magazine and The Athletic.
Betting on the Game
East Carolina is tied for 10th nationally with 15 interceptions, including two touchdowns.
East Carolina is 4-0 straight up this season listed as a favorite by the La Vegas odds.
Boston College is 4-0 when Garwo rushes for more than 100 yards this season.
Mitchell led all FBS players with four rushing plays of 60 yards or longer.
The Eagles have won five of their last six games against teams from the American Athletic Conference.
