(Interstat) — PITTSBURGH (8-4) vs. EAST CAROLINA (8-4) KICKOFF: Saturday, 12 p.m. EST at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md. LINE: East Carolina by 10. Over/under: 55.5. OUTLOOK: Two 8-4 teams on divergent trajectories will meet in a postseason clash when the Pittsburgh Panthers face the East Carolina Pirates. The Panthers limp in following a 38-7 home drubbing by Miami (Fla.) to end the regular season. Quarterback Mason Heintschel completed 22 of 32 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown in the loss, but the Panthers’ offense otherwise sputtered. Pittsburgh’s season has been marked by volatility, with impressive road wins at Florida State and Stanford offset by double-digit losses to Notre Dame and Miami. The Pirates, conversely, enter riding high after a dominant 42-3 road victory over Florida Atlantic. Their offense showcased a potent dual-threat attack, with quarterback Katin Houser accounting for four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) and 313 yards of offense. Running back Marlon Gunn Jr. added 130 rushing yards and a score. East Carolina’s offense has been explosive, averaging over 40 points in its last four wins, though it suffered a 58-24 setback at UTSA in late November. The neutral-site game at a Naval academy stadium adds a unique backdrop. National Statistical’s projection favors the Pirates 32-27, a forecast aligned with the betting market installing East Carolina as a significant favorite. The key matchup will be Pittsburgh’s defense, which allowed 38 points in its finale, trying to contain a versatile East Carolina offense that has scored 41 or more points in five of its eight victories. Pittsburgh must rediscover its earlier road form, evidenced by wins at Florida State and Stanford, to counter the Pirates’ momentum and cover the spread.