The East Carolina Pirates (7-5) and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-3) meet in the Birmingham Bowl Tuesday at the Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the East Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
East Carolina is back in a postseason game for the 1st time since the 2015' Birmingham Bowl, a 28-20 loss against Florida. ECU did qualify for a bowl last season, but Boston College had to pull out of the Military Bowl due to a COVID issue, and the Pirates couldn’t find another opponent or bowl.
ECU won a wild 49-46 game at Temple to close out the season, its 4th time going for 47 or more points in a single game. The defense has allowed 42 or more points in back-to-back games, and 3 of the last 6 outings.
Coastal Carolina lost coach Jamey Chadwell to Liberty and has hired Tim Beck to lead the team next season. Defensive coordinator Chad Staggs will be the interim coach in the bowl.