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Matchup preview

East Carolina vs Alabama

East Carolina visit Alabama in Week 1. The model favors Alabama by 27.5. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
5%
95%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 2 · refreshed weekly

SP+ pegs this as a mismatch: Alabama rates 17.6 (13th) against East Carolina at -2.3 (80th), a gap that projects a 22.3-point Alabama margin and a 91% win probability. The market prices it steeper, with a consensus line of Alabama -27.7 and a 95% implied win probability, while the ProphetX exchange stretches further to -3300, or 97%. That five-to-six point spread between the model margin and the market line is the central disagreement: the model sees a comfortable favorite, the market sees closer to a rout.

The unit ranks explain the pricing pressure. Alabama's defense (6th) faces an East Carolina offense ranked 85th, and Alabama's offense (32nd) draws a 73rd-ranked defense. The imbalance favors the market's wider number more than the model's, and the total of 52.5 leaves room for either read. Season projections tighten the picture only slightly: both teams sit near seven wins (7.4 for Alabama, 7.3 for East Carolina), but the Playoff and title paths diverge sharply, with Alabama at 24.2% to make the field and 1.7% to win it against East Carolina's 4.1% and 0%.

Model and market agree Alabama wins big; the live gap is whether the true margin is nearer 22 or 28.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
ALA -28
Total (O/U)
52.5
Favorite
ALA
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
East Carolina1%-7 ptsvsAlabama99%+7 pts
0%25%50%75%100%East Carolina favoredAlabama favoredAug 19Aug 23Aug 27Aug 31Sep 4Sep 6

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as East Carolina's win price; Alabama's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line East Carolina is favored, below it Alabama is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#88SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#11
#48FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#10
1593EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1857
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.1.6%
East CarolinaAlabamasolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
More Week 1 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the East Carolina vs Alabama game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the East Carolina vs Alabama market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do East Carolina and Alabama play?

Week 1 of 2026, on Sep 5, 2026 at Alabama.

Who is favored?

The model projects Alabama by 27.5 (95% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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