While I'm not a particularly huge fan of scheduling FCS games (and yes, I know a lot of us came from there), there are two exceptions: scheduling top ranked FCS teams and scheduling games due to important local considerations. This game is one of the latter as Hampton shares the 757 area code with the Monarchs so its bound to have a large crowd of locals on both sides of the ball. I get that, so I do understand the scheduling. It's not a very auspicious opening for a team new to FBS however. (One foot in FCS and one in FBS is how it feels.)

Having said that, Hampton @ ODU should be the type of tune up game for ODU that should develop into an easy win. The Pirates were 4-8 last year (4-4 in the MEAC) and didn't produce any impressive wins. They also bring in a new coach this year, so I don't see this as a severe test for the Monarchs. ODU will have a sharp offense, and the defense will be a work in progress, it seems, so again, this might be the right opener for them.

And given that the next five games (4 of them anyway) are extremely tough competition, ODU may be very grateful for this kind of tune up.

At any rate, we're very glad the Monarchs are officially part of the East. Welcome...now go kick some Pirate booty by a big margin!

Thanks... Glad to be in the EAST!!!

I think you summed it up pretty well, but I do have a couple of comments. First, though you got it right in the body, the title indicates the game is at Hampton. It is the home opener at Foreman Field. Second, the area code is 757, not 717. That's kind of a big deal around here as the 757 has produced many top athletes. Last thought -- ODU will win this game by at least 21, and this game is a great way to open this season as four of the next five games are NC State, Rice, MT, and Marshall.

GO MONARCHS!

(07-07-2014 08:06 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I think you summed it up pretty well, but I do have a couple of comments. First, though you got it right in the body, the title indicates the game is at Hampton. It is the home opener at Foreman Field. Second, the area code is 757, not 717. That's kind of a big deal around here as the 757 has produced many top athletes. Last thought -- ODU will win this game by at least 21, and this game is a great way to open this season as four of the next five games are NC State, Rice, MT, and Marshall.

GO MONARCHS!

edit - Outside of the Norfolk State game, ODU is one of the bigger games on the Pirates schedule for 2014. Regardless of the proximity of the two schools it is always good to be inspired to beat any team with a PIRATE as a mascot. After the 1st game Old Dominion will be tested on the gridiron with the most challenging four game stretch ever for the Monarchs. It starts with the OOC game against NC State. At one time I really thought we would have the best odds of a win against the Wolfpack over any of the four games you mentioned. ODU has a home game against Eastern Michigan in the mix. However the odds may have shifted slightly after recent events. Old Dominion could legitimately be 2 - 4 after a quick baptism into CUSA with games against a few of the best teams in conference. Any record at that stage that has more than 2 wins will be a plus for the Monarchs.

(07-07-2014 08:06 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I think you summed it up pretty well, but I do have a couple of comments. First, though you got it right in the body, the title indicates the game is at Hampton. It is the home opener at Foreman Field. Second, the area code is 757, not 717. That's kind of a big deal around here as the 757 has produced many top athletes. Last thought -- ODU will win this game by at least 21, and this game is a great way to open this season as four of the next five games are NC State, Rice, MT, and Marshall.

GO MONARCHS!

Thanks!! I fixed both.

ODU home opener + awesome offense + improved defense = destruction of pirates.

this is actually a return game from 2012, so ODU isn't paying Hampton anything to cross the bridge.

Same thing for Norfolk State next year.

The game in 2012 across the bay was a 3 quarter, thunderstorm shortened, 45-7 shellacking.

(07-07-2014 09:02 PM)TedHead Wrote:  The game in 2012 across the bay was a 3 quarter, thunderstorm shortened, 45-7 shellacking.

I don't think calling it a mere thunderstorm does it justice. I was watching the online feed and you couldn't even see anything (and it wasn't the crappy monarch tv).

regardless, this should be a beat down of epic proportions. if it isn't our boards will be in meltdown mode predicting another UNC type debacle the following week when we travel to NCST.

Keeping Hampton and Norfolk State as semi-regular FCS games is a good PR move in the community and a more appropriate move than having a relatively anonymous FCS school come halfway across the country to fill the role. I expect a pretty easy win for ODU, say 49-14, but with all the turmoil in the WR ranks, I'm happy they'll have a relatively easy first opponent against whom to work out the kinks.

Yes it was a pretty bad storm. Probably could have garnered a name. The lightening was really bad. I left at halftime because I saw it coming on my phones radar.

I hope scheduling FCS teams doesn't become a habit. We're trying to elevate cusa and it won't happen playing FCS schools. Let's keep us segregated in that respect. FCS belongs in FCS.

(07-08-2014 01:14 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  I hope scheduling FCS teams doesn't become a habit. We're trying to elevate cusa and it won't happen playing FCS schools. Let's keep us segregated in that respect. FCS belongs in FCS.

Why shouldn't teams take a "guaranteed" win? I don't see how playing a FCS team and earning a win closer to bowl eligibility lowers the perception of CUSA.

(07-08-2014 01:14 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  I hope scheduling FCS teams doesn't become a habit. We're trying to elevate cusa and it won't happen playing FCS schools. Let's keep us segregated in that respect. FCS belongs in FCS.

all the big schools play them, why shouldn't we? just one per season and if its Hampton, ncsu, WM and JMU then its a nice regional game for us.

Maybe we can finally pull off that shutout that has eluded us all these years. An overwhelming offensive effort is expected, but I would be really impressed if our defense kept Hampton off the scoreboard for once.

As for playing regional FCS teams: JMU fans buy tickets. William & Mary fans buy tickets. Norfolk State fans buy tickets. Hampton fans buy tickets. I can't hear you over the money talking! Viva la sellout!

Everyear one FCS, one BCS and one G5 would be ok with me.

Our tailgates center around the team, we're doing a fish fry with crabs for the Hampton game. Blue Crabs of course.

(07-10-2014 01:13 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  Everyear one FCS, one BCS and one G5 would be ok with me.

Our tailgates center around the team, we're doing a fish fry with crabs for the Hampton game. Blue Crabs of course.

Sound like a good tailgate plan. What are your plans for the other games???

(07-10-2014 04:48 PM)GO_MONARKS Wrote:  

(07-10-2014 01:13 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  Everyear one FCS, one BCS and one G5 would be ok with me.

Our tailgates center around the team, we're doing a fish fry with crabs for the Hampton game. Blue Crabs of course.

Sound like a good tailgate plan. What are your plans for the other games???

We'll do ribs and barbq for MTSU
Jambalaya or shrimp etouffee for La Tech
Grill Cuban sandwiches for FIU
Marshal and Eastern Mich not sure, maybe some road kill or bison burgers for Marshall and have cherry pies for EMU. Got to have fun with it.