CSNbbs

Because it is so slow in reference to Football, thought I would give my game by game insight and predictions for ODU’s 2013 Schedule.
The way an Oldtimer looks at the fall Games.

Game 1 Aug 31 @ ECU:
East Carolina will be very prepared for the Monarchs to visit DOWDY-FICKLEN STADIUM. A sold out game of 50,000 fans will be a mental advantage for ECU that, as always will energize the Pirates. Offensively ECU returns a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher that will prove to be very effect in putting points on the board. ECU also returns 16 position players, and they also return every single member of the kicking game (special teams). Defensively ECU should be much improved over last year. They have added a new defensive coordinator, Rick Smith this spring? They are looking at a more aggressive and effective defense for 2013

ECU 39 ODU 20 L

Game 2 Sept 9 @ Maryland:
After a season of quarterback injuries, C.J. Brown received his sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA Tuesday, he's the expected starter going into the fall.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who averaged 77.1 receiving yards per game last season, is expected to make a bigger contribution, and Deon Long and Nigel King are expected to join Diggs.
Although the defense will miss the production of key playmakers from last year. Stewart and the defensive coaches are excited to turn a new page moving forward. "Everyone is increasing their confidence on defense," said defensive line coach Greg Gattuso. Stewart is looking for more out of the defense this season, especially with the experience of the secondary.

Maryland 31 ODU 24 L

Game 3 Sept 14 Howard:
Howard University Bison are looking to improve on last year’s 7- 4 record. Howard’s defense seems to be a very dominate part of the way the Bison play. Key defensive returners Cam Alston and Julien David. David could very likely be a pre-season All American candidate, and regarded as one of the top safeties in college football. Offensively the Bison will look to improve on last year’s offensive production. A team that beat Norfolk State last year 37-36 at Norfolk State and Hampton 20-10 will come to play.

ODU 41 Howard 24 W

Game 4 Sept 21 the Citadel:
A team that historically plays the Triple Option, which has proven to be their best option. When the Citadel visits ODU at Foreman Field, this game will prove to be a mental challenge for an ODU team that has not fared well against the TO in years past. I hope the defense will have improved in all aspects from day one. This will be interesting.

ODU 45 the Citadel 24? W

Game 5 Sept 28 Albany :
Filling in ODU’s vacated seat in the CAA, Albany will prove to be a good fit in its new conference. ODU prevails….

ODU 31 Albany 17 W

Game 6 Oct 5 Liberty :
I think ODU's size, experience and desire to win will show up at this game as the flames visit Foreman Field for the first time.

ODU 45 Liberty 24 W

Game 7 Oct 19 @ Pittsburgh:
Pitt will be breaking in a new quarterback for the first time in three years. Senior Tom Savage and redshirt freshman Chad Voytik . At their annual spring game Savage completed 6-of-11 passes for 80 yards, while Voytik completed 27 of 33 for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
Junior tight end Manasseh Garner, in his first active season at Pitt after transferring from Wisconsin, concluded his productive spring by hauling in 10 passes for 100 yards. Junior wideout Kevin Weatherspoon took scrimmage-high honors with 11 receptions for 175 yards, including a 65-yard TD.
Defensively, redshirt freshman middle linebacker Mike Caprara had a scrimmage-best 12 tackles. Senior Jack Lippert and sophomore Devin Cook each collected two sacks from their respective defensive end spots.
For a team that started out slow last year, but beat Va. Tech, Rutgers, Temple and USF.... while losing to National runner up Notre Dame in 3 OT 29-26. They finished the year with a respectable 6-6 record and lost to Mississippi in their Bowl game.

Pitt 31 ODU 24 L

Game 8 Oct 26 @ Norfolk State;
This may be a rebuilding year for Norfolk State, but always a formidable opponent, especially at 30,000 seat Dick Price Stadium. This game will be the hottest ticket in Tidewater again.

ODU 41 Norfolk St 28 W

Game 9 Nov 2 Rhode Island:
Another CAA flash from the past. ODU should be faster, Stronger, and more physical for this contest.

ODU 42 Rhode Island 24 W

Game 10 Nov 9 @ Idaho:
The vandals should be much improved over last year’s 1 -11 record. When ODU visits Moscow, I feel we should have benefited from a very strong and competitive schedule for 2013. ODU should prevail.

ODU 38 Idaho 20 W

Game 11 Nov 16 Charlotte:
The 49ers will be in a position to measure how far they have gone by the time these two teams play. This Future C-USA opponent will invade Foreman Field to show/ prove they belong. ODU has an edge in the experience category. 4 years on the upstarts.

ODU 34 UNCC 17 W

Game 12 @ University of North Carolina:
A team looking to capitalize on the finish of a very successful 2012 season (8 – 4). A team that Crushed Idaho 66 –0 and put the clamps on a very effective ECU Offense from last year. UNC prevailed last year 27 – 6 over the Pirates. UNC appears to be in a position to improve on last year’s offensive and defense.

UNC 56 ODU 28 L

Just for the fun of it........ 2013 Record 8 - 4
Aim High
Go Monarchs

So basically we lose all of our fbs games (except idaho), win our fcs ones. I think we may be 9-4 and steal a FBS game, other than idaho. Either that, or we'll be 8-4, with the predictions you have.

Pretty optimistic. Have you guys factored in what we may look like with a critical injury, say to the QB position. ECU, Maryland and UNC hit hard, with NFL prospects.

I think 8-4 is best case and may actually happen but if I was putting money on it I'll go with 7-5.

Great topic.

*Very well written out thread BTW, props!

(04-27-2013 06:18 PM)ODUR8R Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty optimistic. Have you guys factored in what we may look like with a critical injury, say to the QB position. ECU, Maryland and UNC hit hard, with NFL prospects.

I think 8-4 is best case and may actually happen but if I was putting money on it I'll go with 7-5.

Great topic.

*Very well written out thread BTW, props!

That would be a nightmare.......injuries?
I know it is optimistic, but I am hopeful.... However it shakes out 8-4 would be great!

Aim High

I don't think ECU holds us below 30 points. Between ECU, Pitt, and Maryland, I'd say we win one if those.

I think we see the return of the surprise onside kicks this season.

I started a similar thread back in February when it looked like we might be playing Syracuse. At that time, I picked us 9-3, and I still think that's right, only with some of the teams changing.

I see us winning all five of the FCS home games (Howard, The Citadel, Albany, Liberty and Rhode Island). I also see wins at the away games against Norfolk State, Idaho, and Charlotte. That leaves the big four of ECU, Maryland, Pitt, and UNC, all on the road. I won't go so far as to say which one, but like BB35, I feel confident we will "steal" one those games, giving us a 9-3 record.



GO MONARCHS!

(04-27-2013 06:18 PM)ODUR8R Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty optimistic. Have you guys factored in what we may look like with a critical injury, say to the QB position. ECU, Maryland and UNC hit hard, with NFL prospects.

I think 8-4 is best case and may actually happen but if I was putting money on it I'll go with 7-5.

Great topic.

*Very well written out thread BTW, props!

No one factors potential injuries into preseason predictions.

(04-27-2013 07:43 PM)Fatalisk Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-27-2013 06:18 PM)ODUR8R Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty optimistic. Have you guys factored in what we may look like with a critical injury, say to the QB position. ECU, Maryland and UNC hit hard, with NFL prospects.

I think 8-4 is best case and may actually happen but if I was putting money on it I'll go with 7-5.

Great topic.

*Very well written out thread BTW, props!

No one factors potential injuries into preseason predictions.

My hopes, they are made of steel!

I'm trying to be honest and not totally biased but I really can't see us losing any of our FCS games without injuries. I think we will steal one of the FBS games, but I would trade that for a great performance and close loss against UNC if it was a good TV spot.

(04-27-2013 07:17 PM)Fatmonarch Wrote: [ -> ]I think we see the return of the surprise onside kicks this season.

Plus 1, was thinking the same thing a couple days ago

I think we can beat Maryland and Idaho. A final record of 9-3 is hopeful, wishful, and boastful. That is also contingent on plentiful TD's produced by the offense and an attitude of spiteful, painful, willful defensive play remains through the season.

(04-28-2013 05:41 AM)gilla Wrote: [ -> ]I think we can beat Maryland and Idaho. A final record of 9-3 is hopeful, wishful, and boastful. That is also contingent on plentiful TD's produced by the offense and an attitude of spiteful, painful, willful defensive play remains through the season.

I would add Pitt to that list, as they lost to Youngstown State (17-31) last year and barely beat Maine (36-29) the year before. Interestingly, they play three Virginia teams in a row:

09/28/13 vs. Virginia Pittsburgh, Pa. TBA
10/12/13 at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va. TBA
10/19/13 vs. Old Dominion Pittsburgh, Pa. TBA

I think we win the school that plays the triple option this year. Wilder has already been using that as a drill for the guys. Its a thorn in our teams side now after two Ls. We are going to want to beat the demon before we move up. I go with 9 3 and ill be happy with 8 4. Our boys who are new coming in will be a lil matchup for fcs schools. So if we are 9 3 or 8 4 this in theory where we fall in the cusa ranking? The next step we have to remain the unknown for cusa members. The dark horse for the championship our first season in.

I think we can beat any of the FBS teams as long as TH is healthy and bringing his A game. Not predicting any in particular, but I say we win one or two aside from Idaho.

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(04-28-2013 01:34 PM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]I think we can beat any of the FBS teams as long as TH is healthy and bringing his A game. Not predicting any in particular, but I say we win one or two aside from Idaho.

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Absolutely.

I would hate to see any of our players come to this forum (they do) and see that some of our fans aren't giving them a chance against our FBS opponents.

I'm going to predict a tough fight but definitely not predicting a loss.

Recently UNC and Maryland found it tough against W&M. In 2012 Richmond beat Duke, ODU beat Richmond, Duke nearly beat VT but only lost 14-10.

Anything can happen.

I think of the BCS-conference games, Maryland is the most vulnerable because a) they score less than Beavis and Butt-head and b) it'll be early in the season, but not so early that ODU won't have a feel for what it takes to beat a team at the FBS level (presuming a humbling defeat at ECU). I wouldn't pick ODU to win necessarily, but of the big four games on the schedule, that's the most likely win.

The Idaho game is no lock. Not because of who Idaho is but rather WHERE Idaho is. This will be far and away the furthest ODU has had to travel for a game (have the Monarchs even left the Eastern Time Zone yet?) and it'll also be far and away their highest-altitude game. They could practice on top of Mount Trashmore to prepare for the thinner air, I suppose. Those variables make this game tougher to get a handle on than it appears.

The Citadel worries me of the home games, because they tore through App State and beat Georgia Southern when their triple-option was clicking. Liberty and Albany won't be easy, even if they should be wins.

I think I picked an 8-4 record last time I did this, but now I'll be conservative and say 7-5, with a best-case scenario of 10-2 (seven FCS wins, Idaho, Maryland and North Carolina if they have nothing to play for at the end of the season) and a worst-case of 5-7 (five FBS losses, Citadel and Liberty/Albany/Norfolk State upset)

Why isn't anyone giving us a chance against ECU? They weren't very good last year, we are bringing droves of fans, and our kids will be pumped. I think if TH is on game, we could get in a winnable shootout.

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Re: "Why isn't anyone giving us a chance against ECU?"

I do give us a chance and certainly believe it is a winnable game, but I believe it is an upset if we do win it. I posted earlier that I thought we would steal one of the "big four" games. ECU could well be it. If the O-line can protect Heinicke reasonably well, we should score 28 - 31 points. The rest will be up to the defense.

(04-28-2013 02:27 PM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]Why isn't anyone giving us a chance against ECU? They weren't very good last year, we are bringing droves of fans, and our kids will be pumped. I think if TH is on game, we could get in a winnable shootout.

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It'll be the first FBS opponent, it'll be easily the largest crowd they've played in front of and almost certainly the most intimidating, and it'll be the best offense they've played by a country mile. Nothing's impossible, but a LOT of dominoes are going to have to fall just so for ODU to stand more than a puncher's chance. It's a testament to the significant upgrade in opposition, not a jab at the program. But you can't, for example, expect the team that gave up 49 points to Georgia Southern in its last game to suddenly be able to bottle up a Pirates team that averaged 31.5 points a game against FBS competition, no matter the new DC and the recruits added in the offseason.

Plus if it's a day game, the heat index will be like 135.