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Underrated East Carolina will test BYU's defense

PROVO — Last month, BYU faced a series of brand names in college football.

East Carolina isn’t a marquee program, but it is better than most people think. The Pirates have averaged nine wins per season over the past three years. Just this season, ECU beat Virginia Tech and gave Florida — which is undefeated and ranked No. 11 in the country this week — a major scare at The Swamp before falling, 31-24.

BYU and East Carolina will meet for the first time Saturday (5:30 p.m. MT, ESPNU).

All Cougar outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga had to do to get that point across to his players this week was show them footage of the Pirates’ dynamic, quick-strike offense.