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

(11-25-2018 06:58 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(11-25-2018 06:50 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(11-25-2018 06:26 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(11-25-2018 05:36 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(11-25-2018 05:03 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  My stats were from NCAA.com, certainly not a voodoo site.

I am not sure that I would describe the 2016 defense as "solid".
Total defense was 96th in the Nation and more importantly 4th worst in CUSA , against arguably the easiest schedule (relatively) we faced since 2009.
Our blowouts were a result of David Washington and an anomalous schedule.
We beat EMU by 4, and they were arguably the weakest FBS team to receive a bowl bid.

They were ranked in the 60s based on footballoutsiders. That is good. Total defense is a meaningless stat that doesnt account for garbage time stats.

My stats were from NCAA.com. respected and certainly not a voodoo site.

You don't find it odd that the only season we seemed to have any semblance of a defense was the season we played 9 teams with losing records, but were blown out by the three teams with winning records?
Even if somehow we really did have a solid defense that one season, (I disagree with that, as proven by our losses) then don't you find it odd that we had a respectable defense for only that one season in ten?

Additionally, we have the rushing issue.
Assuming we didn't particularly want to rush during the Heinicke era, doesn't it strike you as odd that the only season post TH that we showed an ability to rush consistently was that same season?

I personally don't believe in the above coincidences. I believe we need changes on both sides of the ball.

No one called them voodoo, they are just pointless because they dont accountfor garbage time stats or level of competition.

I dont find it odd at all. Every year is different. That year, the defense was good. Almost every other year (a couple were decent) was not good. This past year was extremely bad and possibly the worse its ever been since moving to FBS.

Rushing offense has rarely been an issue. It wasnt in FCS and since moving up, It was ranked 55 in 2014, and top 50 in 15 and 16. The last 2 years have not been good, but I would venture to guess Davis and Knoght change that next year.

Rarely and issue?
Rushing offense, or lack thereof, was a big part of the lack of success of Shuler Bentley, as well as Steve Williams.

In 2015 (Bentley)Lawry rushed for 5.9 ypc and Cox 5.1. They had ~1500 yards on 250ish carries. They ranked about 100th in rushing offense.

You picked out the only 2 years where rushing would even be considered an issue (15, 17) wnd it really wasnt terrible in 2015. Thus, its rarely an issue.