For each week of Western Kentucky's 2019 football season, Tyler Mansfield of InsideHilltopperSports.com will connect with a beat writer who covers the opposing team for a Q&A session.
For Game 5, Tyler chats with Ed Miller, who covers Old Dominion for The Virginian-Pilot.
WKU (2-2, 2-0 Conference USA) is coming off a 20-13 win last Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham.
ODU (1-3, 0-0) hosts the Hilltoppers after losing 24-21 at home last weekend to East Carolina.
Kickoff time is slated for 5 p.m. Saturday at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Tyler: Although 1-3 overall, Old Dominion has played in a few tight games this season and could easily have a much different record. How can you assess the way the Monarchs have performed through their first four games?
Ed: The short answer: Not quite good enough. ODU looked flat in the season opener against FCS Norfolk State, but rallied late to escape. They outplayed Virginia Tech in the second half and Virginia in the first, probably their best four quarters of football. But the offense wore down at U.Va. and the defense was put in a bad spot by an ill-advised gamble on 4th and 1 from ODU's own 29.
The theme of the year has been constant improvement, but ODU took a step back vs. East Carolina, particularly on offense. In fairness, they were missing their top WR and RB. The bottom line is the Monarchs have been competitive and played hard, and are greatly improved defensively, but 1-3 is 1-3.
Tyler: Who are some key players to watch out for when ODU hosts WKU? Who do you expect to step up and have big outings against the Hilltoppers?
Ed: QB Stone Smartt makes everything go offensively. He's a dual-threat who can make defenders miss in the open field. He's improving as a passer, but ODU has yet to get much of a vertical passing game, and Smartt has been prone to making ill-advised throws that have led to INTs.
If RB LaLa Davis is back, the running game will get a needed boost. Same for WR Eric Kumah, a Virginia Tech transfer. The offensive line has been inconsistent, and was missing RT Nick Saldiveri last week. Defensively, LBs Lawrence Garner and Jordan Young are very good.
The secondary is much improved over last. DE/OLB Keion White had a great game at Virginia, and is a handful rushing off the edge. He plays the "bandit" spot, which means ODU moves him all over the formation to create match-up problems and prevent teams from scheming against him.
Tyler: It’s ODU’s first Conference USA game of the season. How important do you feel it is for the Monarchs to begin the league slate on the right foot?
Ed: It's hugely important for ODU to get off to a good start in conference play. I thought last week's game was the key swing game of the season. A win would have kept ODU on pace for bowl eligibility, which would be a real accomplishment after a 4-8 season last year. This game is also huge.
A loss would leave the Monarchs 1-4, a mighty big hole to have to dig out of. Most of the tougher league games are on the road, so holding serve at home is extremely important. Fans are also getting restless, and need a reason to keep coming out - beyond the new stadium. Everyone talks about league play being a new start.
ODU really needs to take advantage or all the pats on the back they earned for playing a pair of ACC teams close won't mean much.
