(10-23-2013 10:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote: Sirloin,
While I would love to be competing with Alabama and Oregon for the National Title this year,
Those are your words not mine. I never expected the Monarchs to be BCS level on game one. I do think it's fair to comment about the things that have plagued this program since day one. Poor tackling, opponent 3rd down conversion rate, points allowed, poor execution which leads to turnovers and penalties.
ODU Coach Bobby Wilder says ODU can compete at the FBS level then gets a beat down at UM and struggles against 2 FCS opponents.
Had BW not instilled complacency and over confidence by stating that his team was FBS ready, who knows how the UM game would have turned out.
He says his team plays to win yet in every game there's the familiar breakdowns in execution. You just don't come out and say you play to win. When you play to win, you make sure you're mentally and physically prepared. You make sure you're fundamentally sound and you just don't make piss poor head scratching decisions.
I believe he said
"I feel better about our defense right now than I have at any time in my coaching career here," said Wilder
Then there's this Headline in the Pilot where he acknowledges he hasn't done a good job on the defensive side of recruiting and development.
Initial concern: Where's the "D" for ODU?
Make no mistake, I support the coach and the team, but sometimes I wish he would stop blowing 12th Monarch sunshine at us.
Thanks for your input ODUBB35.
@ workingODU
Thanks for that response. However, I'd like to think that if you're going to Aim High, it's best that you don't compare yourself to programs that are struggling.
@ ODUsteeler
No bait intended, You wanted to address sound logic, well I gave you an example of it.
It is not the University's responsibility to preserve the legacy of a certain family name. That is pretty much what is going on here. Wrestling has no true following and is a drain to the athletic budget. It is the WNBA (No offense LM's) of ODU sports.
Obviously it's Dr. Selig's job to manage the athletic budget and if he is forced to make a certain decision, wrestling could be on the chopping block. If ODU football is to become
Megladon, it needs to be fed.
@ ODU89
While we look at programs like Charlotte, G-State, G-South, USTA, and App State, we're certainly happy where we are right now. But have we really accomplished anything. Sure we were triumphant in the CAA but IMO, the game against G-South was suppose to define us as a true FCS powerhouse. So much was left on the table.
While we still see a promising future, we can't forget we live in the now and we cannot attribute squandered opportunities to transition.
Forget the ECU and UM games, this Pitt game was winnable. My gripe is with the continued pattern of self destruction. We're going into the 8th game of the season and we're still seeing these mistakes. We're in the latter part of the season and we're just now seeing an improvement on defense.
You can't always point the finger at transition. I believe there were 2 roughing the passer calls. One by our freshman and one by their veteran lineman. So it doesn't matter, mistakes happen. We just have to learn to stop consistently making them.
___________________
Everyone has their own way of supporting their team. Some sip the juice and go along with whatever is told to them. Others are aren't taken so easily and prefer action over words.
Thanks and Go Monarchs!
