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

(11-06-2016 09:20 PM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  

(11-06-2016 08:55 PM)TedHead Wrote:  USM sure got some leaks in their defense. Charlotte ran all over them. First play for Charlotte from scrimmage was a big run.

Kaliff Phillips is a big, fast back. If Charlotte had played their current QB, vice Olsen, the game would have been more competitive. Better passing threat (and scrambling) opens up the running game. They have been on a roll since they pulled Olsen in the 4th quarter of our game in Charlotte.

And the current QB couldnt throw a lick and they still didnt stop the running game.

Southern Miss is a good football team coming in pissed off after their loss to Charlotte. They are not Marshall, who has quit on the season. In every game this year besides LSU, USM has gained more yardage than their opponent.

Comparing offenses, they have a slightly better offense. We are a little better running, they are a lot better passing. On defense, we are a little better than them. We are much better at stopping the rush than they are and our pass defenses are about equal.

They have a great punter and kicker.

The only reason they have lost to UTSA, Charlotte, and Troy is they turned the ball over. -3 in turnovers to Charlotte, -3 to UTSA, -2 to Troy.

Unless both QBs are out, this is going to be tough for ODU. Unless they can win the turnover battle (which is unpredictable), I expect a really close game. Outside of WKY, this team has played really well for the last 1.5 months. I could see the game going either way.

The Southern Miss fans on their board think we will blow them out.

(11-07-2016 10:05 AM)djnva Wrote:  The Southern Miss fans on their board think we will blow them out.

Well they lost last game. So go back and read our fans after our last loss :)

If Mullens plays, it may indeed be a high scoring, as USM passed 53 times vs Charlotte. They have some good receivers, including primary go-to Allenzae Staggers. I would like to think that our softer prevent style coverage can mitigate big play scoring.

UTSA and Charlotte seemed to have discovered a substantial weakness in the USM rushing defense that I fully expect us to be able exploit. If we can move on the ground we will eventually wear the USM D down.

Our rushing defense has been less than stellar at times, not because of our defensive line per se, which is above average, but because of the inability of our linebackers to help compensate when monster OLines, like WKU, were able to get big pushes. I don't see that happening here. Consequently, I think we can eventually concentrate on the pass rush.

Mullens throws a lot of INTs

The freshman QB that was talked about earlier in this thread is a true freshman. They are attempting to redshirt him and don't want to play him.

That could mean we might get a less than 100% Mullens or Adamson if they make that call.

Quote:“And we may have to make a tough decision this week, too, with (freshman quarterback Keon Howard). We’ve been trying to hold on to him and redshirt him. But it may be a tough call.”

(11-07-2016 10:48 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  If Mullens plays, it may indeed be a high scoring, as USM passed 53 times vs Charlotte. They have some good receivers, including primary go-to Allenzae Staggers. I would like to think that our softer prevent style coverage can mitigate big play scoring.

UTSA and Charlotte seemed to have discovered a substantial weakness in the USM rushing defense that I fully expect us to be able exploit. If we can move on the ground we will eventually wear the USM D down.

Our rushing defense has been less than stellar at times, not because of our defensive line per se, which is above average, but because of the inability of our linebackers to help compensate when monster OLines, like WKU, were able to get big pushes. I don't see that happening here. Consequently, I think we can eventually concentrate on the pass rush.

Mullens throws a lot of INTs

We have been in a "NICKLE" package all year with 1 less LB playing. This design helps in the passing game. I'm quite sure if we are playing a 7 man front instead of a 6 man front we WILL be stopping the run a whole lot better with Ricks, Wilson, Worthy or Williams in the game at the same time. But our primary goal all year is to put as much pressure on the QB and to not him feel to comfortable with our D-End's and to play with 5 DB's. With that being said we are still 4th in conference in both rush & pass defense. YOU DON'T THINK OUR LB'S CAN TACKLE OR HIT, JUST RUN UP AGAINST THEM!!!

We are giving up 4.1 yards per rushing attempt. Im not sure where that ranks overall, but every other team I've looked at has been high 4s or 5s. We have been very good against the run especially when considering we play nickel in standard run downs. Bobby has mentioned that Wilson and Ricks do so well in the run game that he's comfortable playing a nickel in Bradshaw over Worthy. They like to bring Carter down as the 3rd LBer on first down to help with the run. With Addison playing as well as he has, we will probably see more run blitzes with Carter.

The other thing is we can mix coverages up a lot more now that guys are experienced. Marshall really couldn't figure out what coverage we were playing. Our numbers would look a hell of a lot better if we didn't play an all world offense in Western Kentucky that may have 2 NFL WRs.

We still have work to do on defense, but it's clear we are trying to keep teams from big plays and hope to create turnovers/get sacks to stall drives.

Wilson was still out last week, as was JD. We've got some depth at safety, but it would be nice to get them back against this offense.

If you look at the stats page on the C-USA web site, you will see that across the board this is a game with two pretty darn even teams. Where USM has just a little more significant advantage is in the passing game, and I think we will be ready for that. However, if we are in the nickle the entire game, I worry about Ito Smith. He can go all the way if he gets a crack.

I think the key is getting ahead and not having to play catch up. That way, we can just continue to pound them with Lawry, an occasional dose of Cox, and some timely passing to our really strong stable of receivers.

Just checked, and Vegas has still not set the point spread, and could not find any updates on Mullens' availability. Either way, this has the look of a really good, close game, and I like our chances a whole lot.

Keep the pedal down, and we should be able to win this one, especially since USM's QB is out. Still, this is a dangerous matchup - cannot take any game for granted, particularly one against a winning team.

Lawry might get 200+ yards if we get a lead in the first half, and just keep to running the ball in the 2nd. Go ODU!

Yep. We certainly haven't arrived to the point where we can take anyone for granted. Gotta stay focused.

(11-07-2016 11:40 AM)MonarchCAM Wrote:  Wilson was still out last week, as was JD. We've got some depth at safety, but it would be nice to get them back against this offense.

Anthony Wilson played.

We have tons of depth at safety for sure. I think we have a couple really talented freshman redshirting too. I've been impressed with Miskel and Williams and neither one play all that much. Byrum was a big time prospect and doesn't play.

(11-07-2016 12:04 PM)Murray007 Wrote:  Keep the pedal down, and we should be able to win this one, especially since USM's QB is out. Still, this is a dangerous matchup - cannot take any game for granted, particularly one against a winning team.

Lawry might get 200+ yards if we get a lead in the first half, and just keep to running the ball in the 2nd. Go ODU!

Is that official?

Over on the C-USA forum ODUBB35 just reminded us all that the Monarchs have a huge advantage over USM in turnover margin with ODU at +10 and USM at -12. He is right -- that is a really key and significant stat. How does this sound? USM gets none, and ODU gets three -- one pick six, one fumble recovery for a short field TD, and another pick to stop an apparent USM TD drive. I like the thought of that a lot!

(11-07-2016 12:36 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Over on the C-USA forum ODUBB35 just reminded us all that the Monarchs have a huge advantage over USM in turnover margin with ODU at +10 and USM at -12. He is right -- that is a really key and significant stat. How does this sound? USM gets none, and ODU gets three -- one pick six, one fumble recovery for a short field TD, and another pick to stop an apparent USM TD drive. I like the thought of that a lot!

Indeed.
As I posted yesterday. Mullens has a whopping 10 INTs this season.

If we take Southern Miss just as seriously as we took Marshall, I see an emphatic victory.

The two teams aren't even remotely comparable to tell you the trutch, Cameraman.

Taking them seriously as in maintaining the focus and resolve that wins us games. They are clearly very different teams both in terms of record and overall performance

Indeed.
I believe we will win, however a WKU like loss is not out of the question.
As Gilesfan said,they are going to be pissed.

USTA and UNCC found something bigtime to exploit vs the USM run defense. I hope USM isn't able to adjust.
Assuming our patchwork OL is healthy, our running game is better than either of those.

As for all of the USM turnovers, when you pass a lot you are going to have INTs. Southern Miss passed 53 times vs Charlotte.
A USM poster lamented about DBs not jumping routes; UNCC only passed 12 times. That doesn't give you many chances for interceptions.

While our DLine is above average, we have been overwhelmed when faced with monster OLs that forced our opponents rushing game past the trenches, exposing relatively inexperienced (2) linebackers in our 4-2-5 See WKU.
The USM OLine is not WKU, and is designed more for the passing game, as such I don't see them running all over us.

USM has some good big receivers, and if they consistently get behind the coverage we could be in for a long day. If Mullens plays (and is healthy), and USM can run just well enough to keep our pass rush honest, this game could go either way, or even translate to a big rout for USM, depending on receiver separation and if we have to go to the pass early

If Mullens doesn't play, then we keep it on the ground, Cox and Lawry have huge days, and we win big;
unless of course they pull the Redshirt off of their Freshman and he turns out to be another Taylor Heinicke (or Terry Bradshaw).