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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
