Appalachian State The Pirates renewed their rivalry with their former
Southern Conference opponent for the first time since 1979. The Mountaineers led the all-time series 19-10, but the two schools had only played once since the split of
Division I college football, with the Pirates defeating the Mountaineers 38-21 in 1979. This marked the first time since 2001 that the Pirates have played a school from the
Football Championship Subdivision. After being dominated in the first half, Appalachian State staged a comeback but fell short after a sack and a blocked pass with seconds left in the 4th Quarter. ECU would hold on to win 29-24, improving their record against the Mountaineers to 11-19.
West Virginia The Pirates went to
Morgantown, WV to take on the
2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl Champion West Virginia Mountaineers, who remained undefeated at home in this series and led the all-time record 17-3. Last year, East Carolina blew out West Virginia 24-3 in Greenville. After going up 10-0 early in the first half, the Pirates would enter the second half trailing by 1, but the Mountaineers would pull ahead to win 35-20, improving their record to 18-3.
North Carolina The Pirates travel to
Chapel Hill, NC to face their in-state rival North Carolina. In 2007, the Pirates beat the Tar Heels with a last second field goal to win the game 34-31. The Tar Heels lead the all-time series, 8-2-1.
UCF The Pirates face the 2007
Conference USA champion UCF Knights in
Greenville, NC. Last year, the Pirates beat the Knights in
Orlando, FL 13-10 in overtime and lead the all-time series 7-1.
Marshall The Pirates head back to West Virginia to face the Thundering Herd of Marshall. The Pirates won last year 19-16 in
Greenville, NC after one overtime and lead the all-time series 7-3. In 2007, the Herd spoiled the Pirates' hopes in Huntington for a spot in the Conference USA championship.
SMU The Pirates face the Mustangs of Southern Methodist in
Dallas, TX. The last time the two schools played was in
Greenville, NC in 2006, where the Pirates won 38-21. East Carolina has won both games played in this series.
Rice The Pirates face the
2008 Texas Bowl Champion Rice Owls at home. The two teams are tied in the series 1-1 after the Owls spoiled the Pirates' hopes to clinch the Conference USA East Division and participate in the
Conference USA Football Championship in 2006.
Memphis The Pirates travel to
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in
Memphis, TN to face the Tigers of Memphis. The Pirates won last year in
Greenville, NC 30-10 and lead the all-time series 11-6.
Virginia Tech For the first time since 2000, the
2009 Orange Bowl Champion Hokies make the trip to
Greenville, NC. Last year, the Hokies and Pirates squared off in
Bank of America Stadium in
Charlotte, NC, with the Pirates winning 27-22 after a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nominated blocked punt was returned by T.J. Lee. The Hokies lead the all time series 9-5.
Tulsa In a rematch of the 2008
Conference USA Football Championship, the Pirates travel to
Tulsa, OK to face the Golden Hurricane. Last year, the Pirates defeated the Golden Hurricane 27-24. Tulsa leads the all-time series 5-3.
UAB The Pirates faced the UAB Blazers at home in
Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. In 2008 the Pirates defeated the Blazers in
Birmingham, AL for the first time in this series' history. The two schools are tied in the all-time series 4-4.
Southern Miss The Pirates will be hosting the rival Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. Of the 34 games played in this series, the Pirates have only won 8. Last year, the Golden Eagles beat the Pirates 21-3 in
Hattiesburg, MS.
2009 Conference USA Championship 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl ==Coaching staff==