East Carolina Pirates 2010 C-USA Predictions & Odds: The East Carolina University Pirates begin a new era in 2010 under the direction of first year head coach Ruffin McNeill, who comes from Texas Tech where he was defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. McNeill formerly played college football at the Greenville, N.C. school.
Under McNeill, the Pirates will be turning to a more wide-open game similar to what McNeill experienced while at Texas Tech. Previously, under former coach Skip Holtz, the Pirates ran a more ball control offense.
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Under Holtz, East Carolina recruited well, so McNeill should have plenty of quality talent to work with in spite of losing five offensive and two defensive starters from last year. It will be more challenging to find a capable replacement for departed quarterback Patrick Pinkney. Fortunately the Pirates return their top two wide-outs.
Don't be surprised if Dominique Davis, a former Boston College quarterback, takes over the quarterback job. Davis is a double transfer first starting at Boston college, where he started three games as a freshman, then transferring to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Davis has the arm and size that would fit into McNeill's offense. Former walk-on Brad Wornick, who held the QB job in the spring will be battling with Davis for the starting nod this fall.
Defensively the Pirates are practically faced with rebuilding the entire defense. With only two starters returning from C-USA's top defense, the Pirates will be playing with new players and a new, 4-3 alignment, replacing the multiple scheme run by Holtz. Leading this new defense will be defensive tackles Josh Smith and Michael Brooks.
The Bottom Line: East Carolina's gone to a bowl four straight years. That record could be in dire jeopardy in 2010. Not only does C-USA look stronger than ever, the Pirates play a grueling non-conference slate made up of road trips to Virginia Tech and North Carolina and catching North Carolina State and Navy at home. For McNeill to get six wins will be a major accomplishment.
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