Wish all the ODU fans who make the journey to the game safe travels to and from the game.

Enjoy the experience, this is where you should aspire to be. 50K people , the Jumbotron, the band , the videos , the traditions, the 3rd down bell, the "1st down---Pirates"

Outside the stadium , purple and gold tents everywhere you look. RV's, Busses, pig cookers. It is awesome

And , do not feel bad when you lose. Just take in the atmosphere, and go kick Mary Lands a%% next week.

Someone is picking ODU to beat ECU:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnfo...7_2013.htm

As a life long fan of the underdog I am pumped for ODU. I can relate, though maybe not fully, to the feeling you guys must have right now moving up and facing your first FBS team. We are not exactly Alabama and you guys have played some very good teams in FCS so it's not like your guys are going to be in awe. Except maybe for the environment which, as I understand it, is far more fans than you have played in front of thus far.

I think ECU is the better team and I expect us to win but it won't be like a train running over someone tied to the tracks. Your offense matches up well with our defense (barring a complete turnaround under our new DC which I am hoping for but not exactly holding my breath in year 1) so if our offense makes some mistakes (or your defense forces some) it could stay close. I think ECU wins a turnover free game fairly comfortably but if the ball starts getting away from us anything can happen.

I hope ECU pounds ODU into the ground but aside from that I'm wishing you guys a great transition to FBS football.

(08-27-2013 08:44 PM)TheEastisPurple Wrote:  As a life long fan of the underdog I am pumped for ODU. I can relate, though maybe not fully, to the feeling you guys must have right now moving up and facing your first FBS team. We are not exactly Alabama and you guys have played some very good teams in FCS so it's not like your guys are going to be in awe. Except maybe for the environment which, as I understand it, is far more fans than you have played in front of thus far.

I think ECU is the better team and I expect us to win but it won't be like a train running over someone tied to the tracks. Your offense matches up well with our defense (barring a complete turnaround under our new DC which I am hoping for but not exactly holding my breath in year 1) so if our offense makes some mistakes (or your defense forces some) it could stay close. I think ECU wins a turnover free game fairly comfortably but if the ball starts getting away from us anything can happen.

I hope ECU pounds ODU into the ground but aside from that I'm wishing you guys a great transition to FBS football.

Here's to the continuation of your proud tradition and the beginning of our own.

I am glad that ODU gets ECU on week #1. Because the Pirates have a physical edge, and a depth edge at most positions ODU is going to have to rely in part on several unorthodox play calls in order to try to catch the Pirates unprepared, and force a turnover or two. Week one is always the optimal time for such attacks.

ODU's defense is going to have to make at least two big stops that keep the Pirates out of the end zone when they are backed up deep in their territory. I believe ODU's spread, given the large number of quality wideouts we have give us the ability to strike for several TDs as long as our line can give Heinicke a little time; this is where going with three receivers and a safety should help. The storyline of this game looks like it's going to be about which team did the best job of retooling their defense. I look forward to spending a fantastic Saturday evening in Greenville, and to the day when we can return the favor and host the Pirates in Norfolk. As always, GO MONARCHS!

Looking forward to the game. Hope nobody gets hurt and its a closer game than some may think. We will score some points, but its possible ECU could score on every drive. I hope not. If ODU stays within 2 touchdowns I will be OK, and optimistic for our CUSA season next year.

(08-27-2013 10:49 AM)odusteeler Wrote:  We're going to score 35 points - all rushing touchdowns. I suspect we'll dominate both lines of scrimmage. Our only weakness is our placeholder. But if he can keep the laces out, this game is over at half.

(08-27-2013 08:44 PM)TheEastisPurple Wrote:  As a life long fan of the underdog I am pumped for ODU. I can relate, though maybe not fully, to the feeling you guys must have right now moving up and facing your first FBS team. We are not exactly Alabama and you guys have played some very good teams in FCS so it's not like your guys are going to be in awe. Except maybe for the environment which, as I understand it, is far more fans than you have played in front of thus far.

I think ECU is the better team and I expect us to win but it won't be like a train running over someone tied to the tracks. Your offense matches up well with our defense (barring a complete turnaround under our new DC which I am hoping for but not exactly holding my breath in year 1) so if our offense makes some mistakes (or your defense forces some) it could stay close. I think ECU wins a turnover free game fairly comfortably but if the ball starts getting away from us anything can happen.

I hope ECU pounds ODU into the ground but aside from that I'm wishing you guys a great transition to FBS football.

I don't think I have ever felt so good about someone stating that he hopes ODU gets pounded into the ground. Nice post, and I can live with ECU fans like you.

Now here's hoping that the ODU underdog bites the Pirate in the arse!

To apply a phrase to this game, ODU is too young to know they should be in awe and intimidated by playing a good FBS team in a packed stadium. I don't think either circumstance will bother the team. In fact, I think the crazy fans will help with energy and focus.

At the end of the day, ECU has much more talent and is much deeper. Half of ODU's roster has yet to take a snap for the team and a majority of players are FCS level recruits. If this game were in October ODU would have a better chance. As it is they can win, but I think it would be a pretty monumental upset. ODU is dangerous and certainly we've seen plenty of FCS level teams beat FBS teams, but they are usually experienced FCS level teams (yes, I know ODU is slightly higher than 'FCS level' at this point, but they are still transitional and full of FCS players). Lack of cohesion and familiarity with each other and the system are what is going to kill ODU in this game.

ECU 55
ODU 34

Go ODU! Pillage the Pirates!

ECU obviously has the advantage. A couple of well timed turnovers could change all that though. Best of luck to ODU, just because of the underdog role, but hope both teams make it through the game without any significant injuries.

(08-27-2013 06:27 PM)ECU-DMB Fanatic Wrote:  I have no clue how it will end up...I can see nightmare scenarios for both sides.

Honestly, unless there's some ridiculous 77-3 final score the only nightmare scenario for ODU is if Heinicke is hurt.

ODU had a 5 year plan to make the FCS playoffs. Instead, in our fifth season we're opening at ECU.

I'll take it.

(08-27-2013 08:17 PM)ODU89 Wrote:  Someone is picking ODU to beat ECU:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnfo...7_2013.htm

Am I missing something:

Quote:Five FCS-over-FBS upsets to anticipate: Liberty at Kent State (Aug. 29); James Madison at Akron (Sept. 7); Old Dominion at Idaho (Nov. 9); Bethune- Cookman at FIU (Sept. 14); and Chattanooga at Georgia State (Sept. 7).

(08-28-2013 09:39 AM)djnva Wrote:  

(08-27-2013 08:17 PM)ODU89 Wrote:  Someone is picking ODU to beat ECU:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnfo...7_2013.htm

Am I missing something:

Quote:Five FCS-over-FBS upsets to anticipate: Liberty at Kent State (Aug. 29); James Madison at Akron (Sept. 7); Old Dominion at Idaho (Nov. 9); Bethune- Cookman at FIU (Sept. 14); and Chattanooga at Georgia State (Sept. 7).

Yes.


"X - Predicted Winner"
"X-Old Dominion at East Carolina, 7 p.m. "

ODU, this is not an attempt to troll, wish you guys the best of luck in the opener, but have you ever played in front of 50,000 rabid fans before?

It's been stated many times, no. This will absolutely be the largest crowd by double. This year feels like 2009 all over again. Nearly half the team is new this season.

(08-28-2013 09:58 AM)pir84evr Wrote:  

(08-28-2013 09:39 AM)djnva Wrote:  

(08-27-2013 08:17 PM)ODU89 Wrote:  Someone is picking ODU to beat ECU:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnfo...7_2013.htm

Am I missing something:

Quote:Five FCS-over-FBS upsets to anticipate: Liberty at Kent State (Aug. 29); James Madison at Akron (Sept. 7); Old Dominion at Idaho (Nov. 9); Bethune- Cookman at FIU (Sept. 14); and Chattanooga at Georgia State (Sept. 7).

Yes.


"X - Predicted Winner"
"X-Old Dominion at East Carolina, 7 p.m. "

Serious Question: If ODU beats Idaho, is that really an upset?

(08-28-2013 09:37 AM)djnva Wrote:  

(08-27-2013 06:27 PM)ECU-DMB Fanatic Wrote:  I have no clue how it will end up...I can see nightmare scenarios for both sides.

Honestly, unless there's some ridiculous 77-3 final score the only nightmare scenario for ODU is if Heinicke is hurt.

ODU had a 5 year plan to make the FCS playoffs. Instead, in our fifth season we're opening at ECU.

I'll take it.

What? A football fan with reasonable expectations? Who do you think you are?

Obviously, what you are is a fan with common sense. Keeping things in perspective is always in good taste.

(08-28-2013 09:58 AM)pir84evr Wrote:  

(08-28-2013 09:39 AM)djnva Wrote:  

(08-27-2013 08:17 PM)ODU89 Wrote:  Someone is picking ODU to beat ECU:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnfo...7_2013.htm

Am I missing something:

Quote:Five FCS-over-FBS upsets to anticipate: Liberty at Kent State (Aug. 29); James Madison at Akron (Sept. 7); Old Dominion at Idaho (Nov. 9); Bethune- Cookman at FIU (Sept. 14); and Chattanooga at Georgia State (Sept. 7).

Yes.


"X - Predicted Winner"
"X-Old Dominion at East Carolina, 7 p.m. "

Huh. So, ODU at Idaho he lists as an upset, but doesn't mention ODU over ECU?

Thinking that's a typo.

I could see this game as a potential blowout in favor of ECU. However because it is the first game of the year and against an FCS opponent I could see the ECU coaches treating this game as a tune-up game (as they usually are) and not really show that much. I don't think ODU is that bad of a team to where there is so much of talent gap that even ECU 1/2-3/4 throttle would be a murderous route but I do see this game getting away from ODU in the 2nd half.

Going into half I say that ECU is up 10-14 maybe even 17 points. The final score will be somewhere along the lines of 42-17. McNeil is a classy dude and I don't see him running it up.