2025-2026 College Football Thursday Night Betting Online
Thursday night college football for Week 5 features the Army Black Knights visiting the East Carolina Pirates on Thursday, September 25 on ESPN, with the Pirates listed as a small home favorite in college football odds.
The Black Knights (1-2) enter this AAC showdown desperately needing to find their championship form after a disappointing start to their title defense campaign. Head coach Jeff Monken's squad has endured three heartbreaking results, dropping their opener to Tarleton State in overtime 30-27, managing a narrow 24-21 victory at Kansas State, and most recently falling to North Texas 45-38 in another overtime thriller. The defending AAC champions have struggled with the consistency that powered their historic 12-win season and conference title, with their trademark triple-option attack failing to control games as effectively as last year. Army will look to establish their punishing ground game against a Pirates defense that has shown both vulnerability and strength in their mixed start to the season.
East Carolina (2-2) brings balanced momentum into this pivotal conference matchup under first-year head coach Blake Harrell, who has guided the Pirates through an encouraging start despite some growing pains. After dropping their season opener to NC State 24-17, the Pirates have shown flashes of offensive explosiveness with dominant victories over Campbell (56-3) and a shutout road win at Coastal Carolina (38-0), before suffering a setback against BYU (34-13). Harrell's system emphasizes tempo and versatility, providing a stark contrast to Army's methodical approach and setting up an intriguing stylistic clash. The Pirates' ability to bounce back from losses and their impressive offensive showing in conference play gives them confidence heading into their biggest home test of the season.
This Thursday night showdown represents a critical early-season test for both programs as AAC play continues. Army brings the urgency of a defending champion that has yet to find its rhythm, needing a statement victory to salvage their conference title hopes. However, East Carolina's balanced offensive approach and home-field advantage could exploit an Army team that has struggled in close games this season, losing two overtime contests. The game will likely hinge on whether the Black Knights can establish their ground game early and avoid the late-game situations that have plagued them, or if the Pirates can use their home crowd and offensive versatility to keep pace with Army's ball-control approach. With both teams seeking crucial AAC positioning, Thursday's matchup could determine which program builds momentum for the remainder of the conference season.
College Football Betting Lines
What to Watch
Army's overtime struggles: Whether the Black Knights can avoid the late-game situations that cost them against Tarleton State and North Texas, needing to establish early control.
Blake Harrell's conference debut: How the first-year Pirates head coach's system performs against the defending AAC champions in his biggest home test yet.
East Carolina's offensive consistency: Whether the Pirates can replicate their dominant performances against Campbell and Coastal Carolina against a more experienced Army defense.
Triple-option execution under pressure: Army's ability to maintain composure and precision in their ground attack after struggling with consistency through three games.
Home-field advantage at Dowdy-Ficklen: Whether the Pirates can harness their crowd energy to disrupt Army's typically methodical approach and create the tempo they prefer.
Conference championship implications: Army's title defense hanging in the balance while East Carolina seeks to establish itself as a legitimate AAC contender in Year 1 under Harrell.
It would surprise many fans and gamblers to discover that college football is the second most popular sport in the United States, behind the NFL. A big reason for that is the massive increase in live TV content. Once upon a time, Thursday night football college football would feature one weekly game. These days, Thursday night football serves as a celebration to kick off a long weekend of action. However, college football was so successful with its Thursday night package that it paid the ultimate price. The NFL cut into college football’s success with its Thursday night package. As a result, college football still offers Thursday night TV action. However, most of the games are with lesser-known teams and conferences. Despite the lack of marquee brands for college football’s Thursday night schedule, gamblers don’t care. They love the betting action that is offered. Furthermore, many sharps believe you can get weaker lines and superior betting value opportunities with these lesser brands.
Kick Off with College Football Action
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2025-2026 Thursday Night College Football Schedule
Week 5 - Thursday, September 25, 2025
Week 5 Thursday night college football features just one game with the Army Black Knights visiting the East Carolina Pirates.
Army Black Knights at East Carolina Pirates, 7:30 PM, ESPN
The defending AAC champion Army Black Knights travel to Greenville facing their most crucial test yet as they attempt to salvage a disappointing 1-2 start that has put their conference title defense in serious jeopardy. Jeff Monken's squad has been plagued by inconsistency and late-game execution issues, dropping heartbreaking overtime decisions to both Tarleton State (30-27) and North Texas (45-38) while managing only a narrow 24-21 victory at Kansas State. The Black Knights' trademark triple-option attack, which dominated opponents during their record-setting 12-win campaign last season, has struggled to maintain the ball control and physical dominance that made them nearly unstoppable in conference play. With their backs against the wall and needing to establish early momentum in AAC competition, Army must rediscover the disciplined execution and fourth-quarter composure that defined their championship run.
East Carolina presents a dangerous opponent for the struggling Black Knights, as first-year head coach Blake Harrell has quickly implemented an offensive system that has shown explosive potential in the Pirates' 2-2 start to the season. The Pirates bounced back impressively from their season-opening loss to NC State (24-17) with dominant performances against Campbell (56-3) and a shutout road victory at Coastal Carolina (38-0) before stumbling against BYU (34-13). Harrell's up-tempo approach and willingness to utilize multiple offensive weapons creates a stark contrast to Army's methodical ground game, potentially forcing the Black Knights into the kind of high-scoring affair they've struggled to win this season. Playing at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with their home crowd behind them, the Pirates have an opportunity to make a statement against the defending champions while establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the competitive AAC landscape under their new coaching regime.
Week 6 - Thursday, October 2, 2025
Sam Houston Bearkats at New Mexico State Aggies, 9 pm, CBSSN
Week 7 - Thursday, October 9, 2025
East Carolina Pirates at Tulane Green Wave, TBD
Southern Miss Eagles at Georgia Southern Eagles, TBD
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Kennesaw State Owls, 7 pm, ESPNU
Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Sam Houston Bearkats, 8 pm, CBSSN
Week 8 - Thursday, October 16, 2025
Tulsa Golden Hurricane at East Carolina Pirates, 7:30 pm, ESPN
Week 9 - Thursday, October 23, 2025
South Alabama Jaguars at Georgia State Panthers, 7:30 pm, ESPN2
Week 10 - Thursday, October 30, 2025
Marshall Thundering Herd at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, 7:30 pm, TBD
Week 11- Thursday, November 6, 2025
Georgia Southern Eagles at Appalachian State Mountaineers, TBD
UTSA Roadrunners at USF Bulls, TBD
Week 12 - Thursday, November 13, 2025
Troy Trojans at Old Dominion Monarchs, 7:30 pm, ESPN
Week 13 - Thursday, November 20, 2025
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Arkansas State Red Wolves, 7:30 pm, ESPN
Week 14 - Thursday, November 27, 2025
Navy Midshipmen at Memphis Tigers, 7:30 pm, ESPN
2025-2026 College Football Schedule
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