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Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contenders

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:14 pm
by ODUalum11
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Sporting News' 2011 College Football Preview is now on newsstands and if you haven't already checked it out, it features ODU in its Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) preview - "Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contenders" - by John O'Connor.

"Despite the CAA's status of one of the top FCS leagues, don't expect Old Dominion to be a lamb led to slaughter in conference competition," notes the article. "Wilder has done a solid job recruiting in Virginia's talent-rich Tidewater area, meaning ODU could emerge as a CAA contender right out of the chute."

In addition to talking about the Monarchs' entry into the CAA, the preview also highlights all 11 teams and picks ODU eighth in its preseason poll ahead of 2009 national champion Villanova, Rhode Island, and Towson.

Check out newsstands for a copy.
http://www.odusports.com/sports/m-footb ... 11aaa.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't hate and try not to laugh yourselves to death. :thumb:

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:30 pm
by TribeNomad
I do not know how they can pick RI second to last. They were solid last year and return a lot of folks.......

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:53 pm
by ODUalum11
TribeNomad wrote:I do not know how they can pick RI second to last. They were solid last year and return a lot of folks.......
Maybe that speaks to how strong the CAA will be this year?

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:30 pm
by ∞∞∞
TribeNomad wrote:I do not know how they can pick RI second to last. They were solid last year and return a lot of folks.......
Will they play with less scholarships next season because of their impending move to the NEC?

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:40 pm
by GannonFan
Instant contenders and they pick them to finish 8th? Does that mean the CAA's getting 8-9 teams into the playoffs this year??? :lol:

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:50 pm
by ODUalum11
GannonFan wrote:Instant contenders and they pick them to finish 8th? Does that mean the CAA's getting 8-9 teams into the playoffs this year??? :lol:
I hope so. :thumb:

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:22 pm
by Sirloinburger
ODUalum11 wrote:Don't hate and try not to laugh yourselves to death. :thumb:
I don't think hate is the right word, more like fear.

"Wilder has done a solid job recruiting in Virginia's talent-rich Tidewater area, meaning ODU could emerge as a CAA contender right out of the chute."
Someone has been reading my talking points. :nod:

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:34 am
by Tribe4SF
John O'Connor's a good writer, and I think his headline is meant to convey that ODU will be competitive, and have a chance to win many of their league games this year. He writes for the Richmond Times Dispatch.

O'Connor's son Jake will be the starting free safety for W&M this year. Below he makes a key INT at the end of the first half last year at UNH.

Image

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:09 am
by ∞∞∞
Tribe4SF wrote:Image
The best thing about that pic is the Waste Management sign on the scoreboard. Classic. :lol:

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:32 am
by Tribe4SF
∞∞∞ wrote:
Tribe4SF wrote:Image
The best thing about that pic is the Waste Management sign on the scoreboard. Classic. :lol:
Noticed that as well! Maybe that's why UNH has had so much trouble with us over the years.

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:00 am
by State Line Liquors
Finishing ahead of URI, Towson & Nova this year could be doable IMO. I think 'contender' might have been a poor choice of words. I'd feel more comfortable saying 'competitors'.

Let's play this game

09/03 vs. Campbell W - gimme
09/10 at Georgia State W - gimme
09/17 vs. Hampton 50/50 - leaning towards ODU, but Hampton definitely has something to play for
09/24 at Delaware L
10/01 vs. Massachusetts L - I'll give UMass benefit of the doubt
10/08 at Rhode Island W - Until URI actually wins, you get the nod b/c Sirloin is your recruiting coordinator
10/15 vs. Towson W (see URI comments)
10/22 at Villanova L Very down year for Nova, but is close to a 50/50. Talley can coach.
10/29 vs. James Madison 50/50 - leaning heavily towards JMU, but just don't know about that JMU O
11/05 vs. Richmond L UR will be healthy again
11/12 at W&M L Tribe is the class of the field. Whether they are at de-saddling is another story

Summary: I think 6-5 (3-5) is doable this year, with wins coming almost entirely amongst those who are butcher shop leftovers. I think you'll score some points. Under the class of the CAA and having no bye week, you'll yield at the quarter pole.

*Added after original post: If I'm Wilder, I probably have 4 dates on my calendar that I've got circled as big tests that I WANT to win probably more than any others. Hampton, Delaware, JMU & W&M.

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:15 am
by VBR_Productions
It would have been more accurate to say "they'll be competitive in most games" rather than call them a "contender" and then call for the team to finish eighth.

Is it September yet?

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:15 am
by ODUalum11
Saw this interesting tweet last night...
MSUBearslive Craig Pearson
C-USA confirms schools have been contacted in hopes of expansion. MSU and ODU.
http://twitter.com/#!/MSUBearslive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:05 pm
by Monarch History
VBR_Productions wrote:It would have been more accurate to say "they'll be competitive in most games" rather than call them a "contender" and then call for the team to finish eighth.

Is it September yet?
I know several sports writers for different newspapers and although the reporter writes the story the papers have writers who read the story and write the headlines. Maybe the Sporting News does the same thing.

I agree with most that it was a poor choice of words.

Let the games play out and then see if we were contenders.

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:08 pm
by 93henfan
Sirloinburger wrote:
ODUalum11 wrote:Don't hate and try not to laugh yourselves to death. :thumb:
I don't think hate is the right word, more like fear.
I know it's becoming an internet cliché, but I'm going to need a new keyboard, what with all the coffee I just spit all over it. :lol:

You guys are cute. :thumb:

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:39 pm
by ODUalum11
93henfan wrote:
Sirloinburger wrote:
I don't think hate is the right word, more like fear.
I know it's becoming an internet cliché, but I'm going to need a new keyboard, what with all the coffee I just spit all over it. :lol:

You guys are cute. :thumb:
We can't help ourselves, we're excited to be part of the CAA this year regardless how many games we win.

Re: Sporting News: Upstart Monarchs Could be Instant Contend

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:43 pm
by Cujo
GannonFan wrote:Instant contenders and they pick them to finish 8th? Does that mean the CAA's getting 8-9 teams into the playoffs this year??? :lol:
I think the playoff committee is just going to give up at this point and just let the entire CAA in regardless of record. :coffee: