The Old Dominion Monarchs were 8-4 in their inaugural season at the FBS level. A closer look shows that they were just 1-4 vs FBS teams last year and 7-0 vs FCS teams. This year they have 17 starters back, have a year under their belt at the FBS level and will be looking for their first bowl invite in 2014. Preview & schedule below.
Monarch games were fun to watch last year as 971 ypg and 77 ppg where put up combined in their games last year. That’s allot of offense and the Monarchs put up most of it, averaging 519 ypg and 42.3 ppg. Remember though that 7 of their games were vs FCS teams. Still, this offense will be very good again this year with 7 starters back, including QB Taylor Heinicke, who threw for 4088 yards with 33 TDs and just 8 INTs last year. Oh and he also had 348 yards on the ground as well. The running game loses its top back from last year, but Cam Boyd is solid after running for 450 yards and 5 TD’s last year. The OL is a problem spot as they return just 2 starters and have little depth. It is rated one of the worst in Conference USA, but Monarchs do have the best set of WRs in the league, led by Larry Pinkard and Antonio Vaughn, who combined for 128 catches, 1863 yards and 18 TDs last year. The defense allowed 34 ppg last year and again 7 of their games were vs FBS foes. This year they have 10 starters and 12 of their top 14 tacklers back from last year, so this should be an improved group overall. The Front 7 is average at best, while the secondary could struggle again, especially vs some of the pass happy teams in this conference.
ODU is making a big leap to Conference USA this year and will face 11 FBS foes and 1 FCS for, compared to last years & FCS foes and just 5 FBS foes. The offense is stacked again and can score with any team in the conference, but the questions on defense vs much tougher offenses this year may be enough to keep this team from a bowl invite this year. They will be a fun team to watch though, but in the end I feel they may come up just short of a bowl game. KEY TREND: No Relevant Trends Yet
2014 Old Dominion Monarchs Schedule
Aug. 30 Hampton
Sep. 6 at NC State
Sep. 13 Eastern Michigan
Sep. 20 at Rice
Sep. 26 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 4 Marshall
Oct. 11 at UTEP
Oct. 18 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 at WKU
Nov. 1 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 8 FIU
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 Louisiana Tech
Nov. 29 at Florida Atlantic
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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