Breaking down ECU's C-USA slate

After back-to-back losses diminished any Pirate dreams busting the BCS, ECU now takes aim at defending last year's Conference USA title. With the lone exception of an early November contest against Virginia Tech, every game from here on out for the Pirates is a pivotal C-USA matchup.

UCF (Sept. 26)

The Golden Knights and Pirates squared off in a tight conference battle last year in which ECU edged UCF 13-10 in overtime and this year's game looks to be the same.

Both teams are struggling offensively and not off to the best start.

UCF has been prone to turnover in the 2009 season, turning the ball over six times.

If the Pirates can continue this trend, this will give them a huge advantage in this game.

ECU has been struggling as of late and this game could be a turning point in its season getting back to .500.

Marshall (Oct. 3)

Huntington, W.Va. has been a thorn in the Pirates' side for years.

Last year, ECU was able to defeat the Thundering Herd on the leg of kicker Ben Hartman, who kicked the game-winning field goal in a 19-16 overtime victory at Dowdy-Ficklen.

The Pirates' offensive and defensive lines should be one the best in C-USA this year and establishing the line early will be crucial for their success.

Marshall is off to a solid (2-1) start led by running back Darius Marshall. The Georgia native has 304 yards in three games and the Pirates are going to have to slow him down in order to collect a victory.

SMU (Oct. 10)

SMU head coach June Jones is one of the highest profile coaches in C-USA. Jones brought a similar spread style of offense that he used to lead Hawaii to a BCS bowl game back in 2007.

B.L. Mitchell has thrown for 979 yards already but the Mustangs' quarterback also has thrown a whopping eight interceptions over three games.

The Pirates are going to have to pressure Mitchell to force him to make bad decisions.

This will be a tough test for the Pirates, but this is one game I do not see them losing.

Rice (Oct. 17)

Rice lost more talented seniors than any other school in C-USA last season.

Wide receiver Jarrett Dillard and tight end James Casey both took their game to the NFL and the gap they left behind is a tough void to fill.

The Owls are off to a bleak (0-3) start and they have yet to establish a starting quarterback.

The Pirates need to exploit Rice's less than average defense with running backs Dominique Lindsay, Jonathan Williams, Giavanni Ruffin and Brandon Jackson.

Memphis (Oct. 27)

This matchup forces the two teams to play an unusual Tuesday night game.

The Pirates have yet to play on a Tuesday or Thursday in the Skip Holtz era and how the team reacts to playing on a weeknight will be interesting to see.

Memphis has one of the tallest core of wide receivers in the nation.

The Tigers are led by Carlos Singleton (6'9") and Duke Calhoun (6'4").

Defensive back's coach Rick Smith has to have a group ready to make up for the difference in height with skill and solid route reading.

It is vital that the Pirates have their full core of defensive backs and safeties in this key conference battle.

This will be a key game in the Pirates earning a spot in the C-USA championship game.

Tulsa (Nov. 15)

The Pirates were able to claim their first conference title last season with a close win over Tulsa.

Tulsa is known for their spread style of offense and historically gaudy offensive numbers, but this year the Golden Hurricanes are struggling to move the ball.

The Pirates will have to create turnovers like they did in 2008.

If ECU can avoid a shootout, they will be able to edge Tulsa again.

UAB (Nov. 21)

Senior quarterback Joe Webb is having a solid 2009 campaign for the Blazers. Webb has thrown for five touchdowns, adding 367 yards on the ground.

UAB is not historically known for talented football teams, but this year's team does have talent.

The Pirates will have to contain Webb and take care of their part on offense.

This game could be one the Pirates overlook with rival Southern Miss. the following week.

If ECU is going to claim its second C-USA title, they cannot overlook this key home game.

Southern Miss. (Nov. 28)

The Golden Eagles have dominated the Pirates the past 10 years. Larry Fedora's team dominated the Pirates last year and edged ECU in 2007 in a tight ball game.

Southern Miss. is loaded with talented and highlighted freshman, All-American DeAndre Brown.

The Pirates' defense is going to have to have a great performance overall to slow down talented running backs Damion Fletcher and Brown.

These are the two premiere teams in C-USA East and the battle with the division could all come down to this game.