The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(08-30-2018 05:33 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(08-30-2018 04:31 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  They will score a lot. Our secondary is still our weakness. The question becomes can our O keep up.

If ODU's weakness is the secondary, the offense and receivers for LU are their best aspect. Advantage to LU. Conversely, LU's run defense is it weakness. If the strength of ODU's running game dominates the LU defensive line, advantage to ODU. If other aspects are near equal, it should be a close game. ODU, which is a full FBS member, gets to boasts it is going to beat a still transiting FBS LU. It's ODU's right. But the undertones and intangibles of the game tend to favor LU. LU can and will score but can they stop the running game of ODU. That's the key to the game. Whoever dominates the most in those aspects wins the game. LU 31, ODU 28.

St. Francis and Jacksonville St though?!?!?

You scored against who though......Not exactly setting the world on fire with who Liberty was up against.

I'm not saying ODU is a great football team, but I think Liberty fans are substantially underestimating the pains of growing into FBS. We would know... I think Liberty fans have a false sense of strength because they defeated Baylor last year, and now they think "well if we beat a Big 12 team we should be able to handle a middle CUSA team." False. Big difference with what happened at Baylor and what would normally transpire at any normal season at a Big 12 school. It's an accomplishment and you can never take away the fact that Liberty did indeed beat a Big 12 team. But you have try your best to be realists. Look at who Liberty lost to. Somehow Liberty fans seem to gloss over that part of their schedule last year. Bias is expected.

ODU will be ready. ODU is aware of the "intangibles" and "undertones" of the game. I can assure if if we get it (first FBS game, first time hosting FBS team, first time in newly renovated stadium) then the team gets it.

Your QB and WR might be great, but we'll see how the O-line holds up. If your QB only gets 2 seconds each snap, it won't matter how good your WR corps is. Our D line is probably the strongest element of our entire team. We'll see how well your O-line is handling themselves in the 2nd half.

(08-30-2018 06:43 AM)odu09 Wrote:  I'm not saying ODU is a great football team, but I think Liberty fans are substantially underestimating the pains of growing into FBS. We would know... I think Liberty fans have a false sense of strength because they defeated Baylor last year, and now they think "well if we beat a Big 12 team we should be able to handle a middle CUSA team." False. Big difference with what happened at Baylor and what would normally transpire at any normal season at a Big 12 school. It's an accomplishment and you can never take away the fact that Liberty did indeed beat a Big 12 team. But you have try your best to be realists. Look at who Liberty lost to. Somehow Liberty fans seem to gloss over that part of their schedule last year. Bias is expected.

ODU will be ready. ODU is aware of the "intangibles" and "undertones" of the game. I can assure if if we get it (first FBS game, first time hosting FBS team, first time in newly renovated stadium) then the team gets it.

Your QB and WR might be great, but we'll see how the O-line holds up. If your QB only gets 2 seconds each snap, it won't matter how good your WR corps is. Our D line is probably the strongest element of our entire team. We'll see how well your O-line is handling themselves in the 2nd half.

Our second team DL is legit and could easily compete with the Liberty first team OL. Linebackers and DBs are much more experience this year than last year and have a lot of continuity now. I dont think Liberty will be able to throw like the think they can.

(08-30-2018 05:33 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(08-30-2018 04:31 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  They will score a lot. Our secondary is still our weakness. The question becomes can our O keep up.

If ODU's weakness is the secondary, the offense and receivers for LU are their best aspect. Advantage to LU. Conversely, LU's run defense is it weakness. If the strength of ODU's running game dominates the LU defensive line, advantage to ODU. If other aspects are near equal, it should be a close game. ODU, which is a full FBS member, gets to boasts it is going to beat a still transiting FBS LU. It's ODU's right. But the undertones and intangibles of the game tend to favor LU. LU can and will score but can they stop the running game of ODU. That's the key to the game. Whoever dominates the most in those aspects wins the game. LU 31, ODU 28.

I can appreciate your take on this game, and there is always the possibility that your analysis is right on target. However, I believe your perspective is colored by the Flames' performance against lesser competition as was mentioned above. Here is a restatement of a post I made earlier, but under these circumstances is worthy of repeating.

Liberty went 6-5 last year with losses to Jacksonville State, Saint Francis, Kennesaw State, Monmouth and Charleston Southern.

They had wins over:

Baylor: 1-11 - - beat only Kansas (also 1-11 who beat only South West Missouri State)
Morehead State: 4-7 -- beat Kentucky Christian, Dayton, Stetson and Davidson
Indiana State: 0-11 -- beat no one
Gardner-Webb: 1-10 -- beat Shorter
Duquesne: 7-4 -- beat Wagner, Robert Morris, Saint Francis, Sacred Heart, etc.
Presbyterian: 4-7 -- beat Campbell, Cumberland, Saint Francis and Gardner-Webb

The level of competition you faced last year (including a Baylor team devestated by scandal and defections) bears no resemblance to what you will face as an FBS independent. The Monarch secondary, team weakness or not, is almost guranteed to be better than any the Flames faced last year.

The Monarchs made the FCS playoffs their last two years in the CAA. Taylor Heinicke threw for 730 yards in a shootout win over New Hampshire and won the Walter Payton award. They went 10-1 and beat Coastal Carolina in the playoffs. But Monarchs fans learned the hard way what you guys are about to learn. The step up to FBS is a much bigger step than you realize. Teams are bigger, faster, stronger and have more depth. It just ain't the same.

As I said earlier, you may well be right in your analysis. But I truly doubt it. I firmly believe the Monarchs will win, and it will not be close.

(08-30-2018 07:42 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  

(08-30-2018 05:33 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(08-30-2018 04:31 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  They will score a lot. Our secondary is still our weakness. The question becomes can our O keep up.

If ODU's weakness is the secondary, the offense and receivers for LU are their best aspect. Advantage to LU. Conversely, LU's run defense is it weakness. If the strength of ODU's running game dominates the LU defensive line, advantage to ODU. If other aspects are near equal, it should be a close game. ODU, which is a full FBS member, gets to boasts it is going to beat a still transiting FBS LU. It's ODU's right. But the undertones and intangibles of the game tend to favor LU. LU can and will score but can they stop the running game of ODU. That's the key to the game. Whoever dominates the most in those aspects wins the game. LU 31, ODU 28.

I can appreciate your take on this game, and there is always the possibility that your analysis is right on target. However, I believe your perspective is colored by the Flames' performance against lesser competition as was mentioned above. Here is a restatement of a post I made earlier, but under these circumstances is worthy of repeating.

Liberty went 6-5 last year with losses to Jacksonville State, Saint Francis, Kennesaw State, Monmouth and Charleston Southern.

They had wins over:

Baylor: 1-11 - - beat only Kansas (also 1-11 who beat only South West Missouri State)
Morehead State: 4-7 -- beat Kentucky Christian, Dayton, Stetson and Davidson
Indiana State: 0-11 -- beat no one
Gardner-Webb: 1-10 -- beat Shorter
Duquesne: 7-4 -- beat Wagner, Robert Morris, Saint Francis, Sacred Heart, etc.
Presbyterian: 4-7 -- beat Campbell, Cumberland, Saint Francis and Gardner-Webb

The level of competition you faced last year (including a Baylor team devestated by scandal and defections) bears no resemblance to what you will face as an FBS independent. The Monarch secondary, team weakness or not, is almost guranteed to be better than any the Flames faced last year.

The Monarchs made the FCS playoffs their last two years in the CAA. Taylor Heinicke threw for 730 yards in a shootout win over New Hampshire and won the Walter Payton award. They went 10-1 and beat Coastal Carolina in the playoffs. But Monarchs fans learned the hard way what you guys are about to learn. The step up to FBS is a much bigger step than you realize. Teams are bigger, faster, stronger and have more depth. It just ain't the same.

As I said earlier, you may well be right in your analysis. But I truly doubt it. I firmly believe the Monarchs will win, and it will not be close.

You make all valid points. One could say the strength of the intangibles is the biggest factor for LU. In match ups it appears ODU has most advantages. LU last year was an up and down team, more down than up. And when they were up the offense, specifically the QB and receivers were on not the running game. The offense won those 6 games last year not the defense. It's why we play the games. You guys have a big time this weekend rooting for your team. Either way you are going to have a good time as the school wants visiting teams and fans to have a good experience to continue to attract more teams coming to Lynchburg.

Can't throw the ball running for your life. We know that all too well.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.

(08-30-2018 05:33 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(08-30-2018 04:31 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  They will score a lot. Our secondary is still our weakness. The question becomes can our O keep up.

If ODU's weakness is the secondary, the offense and receivers for LU are their best aspect. Advantage to LU. Conversely, LU's run defense is it weakness. If the strength of ODU's running game dominates the LU defensive line, advantage to ODU. If other aspects are near equal, it should be a close game. ODU, which is a full FBS member, gets to boasts it is going to beat a still transiting FBS LU. It's ODU's right. But the undertones and intangibles of the game tend to favor LU. LU can and will score but can they stop the running game of ODU. That's the key to the game. Whoever dominates the most in those aspects wins the game. LU 31, ODU 28.

The ODU secondary should not be a weakness this year. They were crushed by injuries and suspensions last year, but return almost everyone. Our biggest issue last year seemed to be not stopping teams on 3rd down; whether run or pass.

LU's offensive line is going to have its hands full. Whether they put more people into block or not, they are going to have to account for 8-10 deep worth of D-lineman that can rush the QB.

I think we win this game in the trenches. Their QB and WR are legitimately good so they will get some yards and some points but our defense is good enough to stop them enough to give our offense plenty of opportunity to win the game. That's where it will be determined whether we win or win big. Our run game should dominate but if SW and the receivers have the chemistry that they were lacking much of the time last year then I think we run roughshod and it should be a good season for the Monarchs!

You'd think we were talking about the Fearsome Foursome; we had 31 sacks in 12 games a year ago.

Im concerned about our linebackers reading all the little screens and hitches that an offense is likely to do to defeat a big rush. I think if we defend the sweeps and screens and quick passes than our defensive line will live in the quarterbacks back pocket.
I think our plan will be to drive the ball down their throat and to let our QB scamper a little bit. After we have worked the running game we will sprinkle in some shots down the field. I think by the end of the 3rd quarter we will be gashing their defensive line.

(08-30-2018 09:35 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  You'd think we were talking about the Fearsome Foursome; we had 31 sacks in 12 games a year ago.

and we played VA Tech, UNC, and other full FBS squads. Not sure I would compare LU's offensive line to any of them.

(08-30-2018 09:35 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  You'd think we were talking about the Fearsome Foursome; we had 31 sacks in 12 games a year ago.

OX, Fox and Co. are gonna to eat.

(08-30-2018 10:05 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(08-30-2018 09:35 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  You'd think we were talking about the Fearsome Foursome; we had 31 sacks in 12 games a year ago.

OX, Fox and Co. are gonna to eat.

We will take a huge Toal on their line!

(08-30-2018 09:35 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  You'd think we were talking about the Fearsome Foursome; we had 31 sacks in 12 games a year ago.

Liberty's line is probably most comparable to UMass and the good guys ate against them. And our line got deeper.

86 with 77% humidity. The depth of our D-line will be the difference.

(08-30-2018 09:35 AM)jumpshooter Wrote:  You'd think we were talking about the Fearsome Foursome; we had 31 sacks in 12 games a year ago.

We were 27th in adjusted sack rate; 16th on standard downs, and 28th on passing downs. And return almost everyone. Thats good

(08-30-2018 10:51 AM)Roy Munson Wrote:  86 with 77% humidity. The depth of our D-line will be the difference.

Chance of rain is reducing so that's good. For fans at least, rain would probably hurt Liberty more relying on the pass more.

(08-30-2018 10:51 AM)Roy Munson Wrote:  86 with 77% humidity. The depth of our D-line will be the difference.

That's pretty much what they've been practicing in constantly for the last month. If not hotter.

Why is everyone so high on liberty? They were bad in fcs with a win over a terrible Baylor team.

FWIW, I've read their star WR was in a car accident and missed the first 2 weeks of camp and has some special splint he will be wearing.