Pirates control own fate

A victory Saturday over Rice would give East Carolina the Conference USA East Division crown and place the Pirates in the league's second title game against West Division champion Houston at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1.

If ECU (6-4, 5-2 C-USA) loses to the Owls (5-5, 4-2) on Saturday, the Pirates may be watching Southern Miss (6-4, 4-2) take on Houston on ESPN2.

The Golden Eagles also would have to win their final two games in order to win the East because of the Pirates' overtime victory over them on Oct. 28.

If Houston beats Memphis Saturday, the Cougars would host the C-USA championship. ECU has a very slim chance of hosting.

The Pirates became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2001 with Saturday's victory over Marshall. Beyond a possible trip to the C-USA championship, ECU's postseason future remains murky.

C-USA has bowl tie-ins with the Armed Services Fort Worth Bowl, the New Orleans Bowl, the Birmingham Bowl and the GMAC Bowl.

The C-USA champion plays in the Liberty Bowl against an SEC team on Dec. 29.

While bowl and championship possibilities swirl around ECU's program, coach Skip Holtz said his players remained focused.

"We're still trying to stay out of the big-picture race," said Holtz, whose team plays N.C. State on Nov. 25. "Its great for everybody at the coffee shops, ... but we need to stay focused."

But the Owls, who are on the verge of bowl eligibility, are focused, too.

"We're playing to be a bowl team," Rice coach Todd Graham said. "So we both have something to play for."