Well ODU Football Fans...What are your thoughts on the upcoming season ?
1-11 at worst; 3-9 at best
- Lost a lot of talent at key positions and IMHO didn't replace it.
- Unless there is a trove of talent that was hidden and developed and the new offense is ready for primetime, we are not going to be competitive in a tough SBC or in a the very tough OOC schedule we have.
Before everyone attacks...be totally realistic ! We are all Monarch fans and this season will likely be rough again. Love to hear what people are thinking now that we are about 50 days from kick off.
I think so much depends on the QB and transfers. So a lot of unknowns. I’m very dissapointed the staff couldn’t land a great FBS QB transfer, so not incredibly optimistic. But maybe the Fordham guy is Heinike 2.0. I’d say 1-11 at worst and 5-7 at best. I’m thinking 3 wins most likely. We’ll probably be underdogs in every FBS game, but should win one or two somehow, much like VT and Coastal last year.
Shields looked decent during the spring game. I haven't seen any other practices or whatnot but I will say I'd be a bit concerned if Wilson was named the starter. He seems to have a good skillset, but I don't know if he has it during the spring game if that makes sense.
I think we could get to 6-6, but it is going to be a struggle. 1-11 is very possible/probable. Still holding out hope we can finally score a win in Blacksburg, would be nice to take the driver's seat in that series.
Alright let's look back at last year. We had a high school offense with an offensive line that was talented but ignored because the position coach was in over his head after being named the OC a couple weeks before the season. We had a super talented tight end who missed the majority of the season. And we had a QB who at times was efficient but refused to use his feet and didnt protect the ball all that well. Despite that, we won 3 games and were a handful of successful offensive drives from turning it into a bowl year (UVA, Georgia Southern, and South Alabama-all one possession games).
Losing Blake Watson hurts but we now have a RB who is said to be the best athlete we've ever had at the position in ODU history (Calloway). We've fixed the OL issues with the transfer portal and a coaching change. Losing Ali Jennings and Kuntz hurts but one didn't really play at all last year and neither had a good college resume when arriving to campus. We also won't be reliant on one receiver this year due to not being so one dimensional.
Now, could we have a more talented QB? Sure. But the offense now works thanks to hiring a proven OC and we now have QBs who won't limit the offense because of a refusal to use their feet. Are the WRs mostly unproven? Yes. But the running game being an actual efficient system this year should give the passing game more room to flourish and the defense some actual rest. The real key to this offense is the running game. If we can run the ball, everything else will be easier.
We could exclaim this a lost season like Mr Big Blue, but I think the pieces are in place to surprise a lot of folks this year.
Is Calloway healthy again? I thought he got injured soon after arriving. If he's good then that does help the offense a lot.
(07-11-2023 06:29 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote: [ -> ]Is Calloway healthy again? I thought he got injured soon after arriving. If he's good then that does help the offense a lot.
He had a simple procedure to help avoid turf toe in future. He's fine.
(07-11-2023 06:20 AM)Monarchist13 Wrote: [ -> ]Alright let's look back at last year. We had a high school offense with an offensive line that was talented but ignored because the position coach was in over his head after being named the OC a couple weeks before the season. We had a super talented tight end who missed the majority of the season. And we had a QB who while at times efficient, refused to use his feet and didnt protect the ball all that well. Despite that, we won 3 games and were a handful of successful offensive drives from turning it into a bowl year (UVA, Georgia Southern, and South Alabama-all one possession games).
Losing Blake Watson hurts but we now have a RB who is said to be the best athlete we've ever had at the position in ODU history (Calloway). We've fixed the OL issues with the transfer portal and a coaching change. Losing Ali Jennings and Kuntz hurts but one didn't really play at all last year and neither had a good college resume when arriving to campus. We also won't be reliant on one receiver this year due to not being so one dimensional.
Now, could we have a more talented QB? Sure. But the offense now works thanks to hiring a proven OC and we now have QBs who won't limit the offense because of a refusal to use their feet. Are the WRs mostly unproven? Yes. But the running game being an actual efficient system this year should give the passing game more room to flourish and the defense some actual rest.
We could exclaim this a lost season like Mr Big Blue, but I think the pieces are in place to surprise a lot of folks this year.
I think the QB position will significantly improved without even knowing for sure who will be the starter. Joseph, Wilson and Shields all have the potential to do much more than not "limit the offense," and don't count Joseph out just because he is a freshman. Whoever of these three looks the best in August, freshman or not, will take the field against the Hokies on September 2nd.
Hold on to your hats and ride hard folks -- I think it is going to be a fun season.
Cheers, all!
To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
(07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
Id be somewhat happy with 5-7 as it would show improvement and barring a ton of transfers, bring higher hopes for 2024. In my opinion, 2024 should be bowl or bust for the staff, and I really want them to be successful.
(07-11-2023 08:18 AM)monarx Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
Id be somewhat happy with 5-7 as it would show improvement and barring a ton of transfers, bring higher hopes for 2024. In my opinion, 2024 should be bowl or bust for the staff, and I really want them to be successful.
I would be thrilled at 5-7 (as much as I hate saying it). That would show true progress.
I'm excited about this football season. A couple of things that are interesting: (1) with so many new faces, there are bound to be some surprises, (2) test of coaching to bring out the potential in the players, and we'll see if RR and his staff are up to the task, (3) all the people writing off this team and season is a good thing -- much rather be the underdog than an over hyped team that can't live up to expectations, (4) a new offensive coordinator that, apparently, will be opening up the offense, and (5) any QB except Wolfe is a great reason to be excited about the upcoming season.
Irrespective of the record, I will be happy to see a hard nosed, disciplined, and competitive team take the field. Monarchs are my team and win or lose they will remain my team, just want to see them play up to their potential.
(07-11-2023 08:23 AM)MonarchManiac Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 08:18 AM)monarx Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
Id be somewhat happy with 5-7 as it would show improvement and barring a ton of transfers, bring higher hopes for 2024. In my opinion, 2024 should be bowl or bust for the staff, and I really want them to be successful.
I would be thrilled at 5-7 (as much as I hate saying it). That would show true progress.
If Colton is playing, something went terribly awry and 5 wins is a dream scenario in that instance (i.e. he'd have to be Heinicke-like out the gate).
Success this year is a better looking offense. New QB/OC, refilled OL will have issues guaranteed. But as long as we are putting up more yards and points than last year that’s a sign of improvement. VT is as bad as we are if not worse so I am hopeful we can take that one. The rest of the schedule depends on if several East teams collapse. It could happen but on paper we look pretty overmatched right now.
(07-11-2023 08:42 AM)Monarchist13 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 08:23 AM)MonarchManiac Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 08:18 AM)monarx Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
Id be somewhat happy with 5-7 as it would show improvement and barring a ton of transfers, bring higher hopes for 2024. In my opinion, 2024 should be bowl or bust for the staff, and I really want them to be successful.
I would be thrilled at 5-7 (as much as I hate saying it). That would show true progress.
If Colton is playing, something went terribly awry and 5 wins is a dream scenario in that instance (i.e. he'd have to be Heinicke-like out the gate).
Agree about Joseph, "surprising" would be simply getting a few snaps and showing promise
I tend to agree with the few who say we will surprise folks this year. We were a better team than our results last year and were hindered by our QB who was slow on reads, made poor reads often, held the ball too long, and refused to run. The offensive line seems to be much improved, and we were majorly injury-prone last year. I think all signs point to 4-8 and possibly we surprise everyone by going 6 - 6 and to a bowl.
I study nuclear science, I love my classes, I got a crazy teacher he wears Rose Colored glasses... things are going great and they're only getting better.
(07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
This is an interesting topic, and I think how this season plays out is going to dictate how loud it gets in the future.
Does an improved offense, 3-5 wins, and another finish at the bottom of the SBC East personally leave me happy at the end of the 2023 season?????
I am not sure it does.
Let's be honest...the offense is going to improve. It can't get much worse that what we all sat and watched last year.
But what happens if the offense improves, the QB play improves, but the wins don't increase??? Where do we go from there??? That would set up a very interesting situation for the 2024 season.
This is a big 2 years coming up for this staff. We are in a football driven conference now. We need to win.
(07-11-2023 10:38 AM)ShenValleyMonarch12 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
This is an interesting topic, and I think how this season plays out is going to dictate how loud it gets in the future.
Does an improved offense, 3-5 wins, and another finish at the bottom of the SBC East personally leave me happy at the end of the 2023 season?????
I am not sure it does.
Let's be honest...the offense is going to improve. It can't get much worse that what we all sat and watched last year.
But what happens if the offense improves, the QB play improves, but the wins don't increase??? Where do we go from there??? That would set up a very interesting situation for the 2024 season.
This is a big 2 years coming up for this staff. We are in a football driven conference now. We need to win.
Well said...while I do begin every season with high hopes and rose-colored glasses, you do bring up an interesting conundrum. Is improved play enough without the wins? I believe it is, I left games early last year for the first time ever because the product on the field was so poor and at times was completely unable to compete. I would find improved play where we are competitive in every game to be worth my time and investment in season tickets. if we are as bad as last year, I might have to reconsider my weekend trips to Norfolk from central Maryland.
(07-11-2023 11:04 AM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 10:38 AM)ShenValleyMonarch12 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2023 07:48 AM)VB Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]To me this is very much a make or break year for RR. Not expecting a winning record, but looking for substantial progress over last year. Lacking progress, RRs days are numbered.
I'm in the optimistic camp. Thinking a real OC will make a big difference. 5-7, hoping Joseph surprises
This is an interesting topic, and I think how this season plays out is going to dictate how loud it gets in the future.
Does an improved offense, 3-5 wins, and another finish at the bottom of the SBC East personally leave me happy at the end of the 2023 season?????
I am not sure it does.
Let's be honest...the offense is going to improve. It can't get much worse that what we all sat and watched last year.
But what happens if the offense improves, the QB play improves, but the wins don't increase??? Where do we go from there??? That would set up a very interesting situation for the 2024 season.
This is a big 2 years coming up for this staff. We are in a football driven conference now. We need to win.
Well said...while I do begin every season with high hops and rose colored glasses, you do bring up an interesting conundrum. Is improved play enough without the wins? I believe it is, I left games early last year for the first time ever because the product on the field was so poor and at times was completely unable to compete. I would find improved play where we are competitive in every game to be be wroth my time and investment in season tickets. if we are as bad as last year, I might have to reconsider my weekend trips to Norfolk from central Maryland.
I think that all you guys traveling in from out of town are heroes. Not sure I would have been able to stomach those drives for that on-field product. Some of those games last year were straight up painful to watch. Especially the home games.
I'm predicting 4-8 with one shocker of a win and one shocker of a loss. I'd be more than pleased with a 1-1 split of Wake and VT
Opposing offenses will try and scheme away from and/or throw multiple bodies at Henderson so I hope he gets help.
I'd be content with four wins given the circumstances. I know A&M-CC will be one, but there's a sinking feeling that the rest won't come until November.