East Carolina Football 2025 Season Predictions

It’s here. Game week has arrived, and as a result, it’s time to put out some final predictions for the upcoming East Carolina football season.

Predicting the outcome of the year is far from easy. On one hand, the offense feels like it could be explosive with Katin Houser leading the way. But the defense has its fair share of question marks, especially with a new coordinator in Josh Aldridge and just two returning starters. Add in the fact that Blake Harrell just went through his first full offseason as ECU’s head coach, and there are a lot of moving parts.

The schedule also won’t be doing ECU any favors. From start to finish, the slate is one of the toughest the Pirates have had in recent years, opening with NC State on Thursday night. Still, as much unknown as there is with the Pirates, there’s just as much uncertainty surrounding many of the teams they’ll face.

Generally speaking, most pundits believe ECU will once again be a bowl team in 2025. The sportsbooks have the win total set at 6.5. The Pirates have been bowl eligible in three of the last four seasons, and fans are expecting that baseline again, while hoping for more. Here’s how I see it playing out, game by game.

@ NC State (Aug. 28)

East Carolina knocked off NC State last December in the Military Bowl, but things look different this time. The Wolfpack have new coordinators on both sides of the ball, and ECU has a new defensive leader in Aldridge. Carter-Finley will be rocking, and while the Pirates will compete behind Houser, I think NC State lands the last punch this time.
Prediction: LOSS (0-1)

Campbell (Sept. 6)

If there’s one game ECU should dominate on its schedule, it’s this one. Campbell has a brutal stretch with ECU, NC State, and Rhode Island to start the season, and the Camels don’t have the depth to keep up. The Pirates should control things early and cruise to their first win.
Prediction: WIN (1-1)

@ Coastal Carolina (Sept. 13)

This one won’t be as easy as some Pirate fans may think. Coastal is hosting ECU for the first time ever and will be highly motivated. It might get sloppy, but ECU’s depth and experience ultimately make the difference on the road.
Prediction: WIN (2-1)

BYU (Sept. 20)

This is one of the biggest games on the schedule. BYU comes to Greenville with a true freshman quarterback, and that’s a tough recipe for success in your first road start across the country. ECU feeds off a packed Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, plays fast, and pulls the upset.
Prediction: WIN (3-1)

Army (Sept. 25)

A short week after BYU is not ideal. Army’s triple-option is a headache to prepare for, and the Black Knights are one of the league’s toughest outs. ECU battles but the timing and physicality catch up to them.
Prediction: LOSS (3-2, 0-1 AAC)

@ Tulane (Oct. 9)

Tulane is expected to be near the top of the American, and a road trip to New Orleans will be no easy task. ECU has the talent to hang around, but the Green Wave have been building under Jon Sumrall and should be tough at home. The Pirates come close but fall short in a tight one.
Prediction: LOSS (3-3, 0-2 AAC)

Tulsa (Oct. 16)

Back at home under the lights, ECU gets a chance to bounce back. Tulsa is still adjusting under Tre Lamb and doesn’t yet have the firepower to match ECU in Greenville. Expect some fireworks, but the Pirates win by pulling away late.
Prediction: WIN (4-3, 1-2 AAC)

@ Temple (Nov. 1)

Trips to Philadelphia in November are never easy. KC Keeler is a proven coach and will have Temple playing better, but ECU benefits from a bye week before this one. It won’t be pretty, but the Pirates grind out a win on the road.
Prediction: WIN (5-3, 2-2 AAC)

Charlotte (Nov. 8)

This is one of the most important games of the year for ECU. After back-to-back losses to Charlotte, Pirate fans are demanding revenge. Harrell knows how much this one means, and the Pirates respond with a convincing win at home.
Prediction: WIN (6-3, 3-2 AAC)

Memphis (Nov. 15)

Senior Night will be electric inside Dowdy-Ficklen, and the Pirates will ride that emotion. Memphis has plenty of talent, but the Tigers have struggled to consistently win on the road. ECU steps up in a huge spot and delivers a memorable win for the seniors.
Prediction: WIN (7-3, 4-2 AAC)

@ UTSA (Nov. 22)

The Alamodome is one of the toughest environments in the league, and UTSA hasn’t lost at home since 2023. ECU will have its chances, but the Roadrunners are just too strong in their building. This one goes to UTSA.
Prediction: LOSS (7-4, 4-3 AAC)

@ FAU (Nov. 29)

Closing the season with back-to-back road games is never easy, especially over Thanksgiving weekend. But FAU is still a program in transition, and ECU has the edge in overall depth. The Pirates lock in, finish strong, and head into bowl season with real momentum.
Prediction: WIN (8-4, 5-3 AAC)

Final Record: 8-4 (5-3 AAC)

An 8-4 finish would mark another step forward for Blake Harrell’s program. The Pirates would once again be bowl-bound and could play their way into the top half of the American Conference. If the offense clicks and the defense finds its footing, ECU has the pieces to make some real noise this fall.