It's been a long time! I hope everyone here at Covers has been doing great. Over the past few years, I created a website (www.ludawgs.com), it got acquired by a media company out of Toronto (Anthem Sports & Entertainment) and I ended up working in Daily Fantasy Sports with a few guys to create a premium service for DFS players (dailyroto.com). Just wanted to catch you up on where I've been for the past...oh...man, has it really been 5 years? Time certainly does fly.
It took me forever to remember my password here at Covers and what email address I used with my account, but I was able to dig it up due to a random memory - crazy. I really do hope all of the old guys are still around and that at least a few of you remember who the hell I am. Good times around here for a few years.
I wanted to pop in and give you my quick thoughts on this ECU @ USC game on Saturday at 4pm ET.
Right now the Pirates are getting 3 points on the road in USC's home opener. Contrary to a few reports, the Pirates will get back their key secondary starter in Bobby Fulp. Bobby was tossed very early in the 1st half against NC State, so he'll be eligible this weekend.
Everyone who followed some of my selections in the past knows that I'm quick to pick against my Pirates - but not this weekend. The Pirates getting points in this spot is a real head scratcher.
Everything is clicking now for ECU on offense, including their offensive line. Some people may not realize that NC State had one hell of a defensive line coming into that game last week and the Pirates more than held their own in the trenches. Truly surprised me, but they were stronger and overpowered the Pack down the stretch. Credit to S&C coach Connors.
Defensively, the Pirates have been gearing up all week to stop USC's rushing attack (primarily the true freshman, Bmac) and scheming to make the kid beat them with his arm. ECU has one game under their belt against a running QB - their first game against Western Carolina. (Yes, WCU is definitely a scrub and shouldn't be compared to a team from the SEC. But I'll tell you what, WCU's QB was a very talented running QB and gave the Pirates fits a few times. ECU were able to solve some of those issues and shut that team down through adjustments). They're ready for this game, I can assure you.
Confidence is flowing big time in the Pirate program, guys. If you're not in or around it, you wouldn't notice it, obviously. But these guys are ready to win in Columbia. ECU has players that simply aren't on the USC roster from a talent perspective, particularly out wide and under center. I just don't think USC can keep up. I watched their game against Vandy end-to-end and I watched every offensive snap of their game against MSU. They're not in the same universe as this ECU offense, prior opponents be damned.
I'm calling it ECU on the ML and the under 50 and I wouldn't be surprised by an ECU rout of the Gamecocks.
Hope everyone is doing well! Let's go get this one.
Lu