The portal hasn't just hit East Carolina, it has devoured the Pirates, robbing them, among others, of their starting QB (3300-yard passer Katin Houser), top rusher (London Montgomery 742 YR), and 2nd-leading receiver Yannick Smith (44 catches). Moreover, both coordinators (OC John David Baker and DC Josh Aldridge) have moved to other jobs. Expect to see lots of mobile QB Mike Wright, who once created a buzz at Vanderbilt, but little since, as Blake Harrell has to reconfigure his offense on the fly. Pitt has had a few portal losses, too, but the Panthers were a revelation after frosh Mason Heintschel took over at QB, covering all six wins thereafter, with a win margin of better than 18 ppg. Play Pitt (Military Bowl at Annapolis)
Erase the starting QB, transfer-to-be Katin Houser, and both coordinators who left for greener pastures, and there's not much for East Carolina to hang its hat on. Pitt thrived on the road, winning four of five outright, and improved gradually as freshman QB Mason Heintschel got acclimated to the job. The Panthers' lone SU losses in their last eight games were to Notre Dame and Miami. No shame there.
