2016 Recap
Record: 10-3
Wins: Hampton, UTSA, Charlotte, UMass, UTEP, Marshall, Southern Miss, FAU, FIU, Eastern Michigan
Losses: Appalachian State, NC State, WKU
Notes: The Monarchs managed to take a giant leap forward in 2016 and have shown steady improvement under head coach Bobby Wilder. While ODU managed to win every game last year against mediocre to bad competition, they failed to even stay within striking distance when facing better opposition. After a season-opening victory against FCS foe Hampton 54-21, the monarch were outscored by a combined total of 80-29 in their next two games against Appalachian St and NC State. ODU recovered to win their next 3 in a row against mediocre competition. Before getting trounced by WKU 59-24. The Monarchs then proceeded to win their final 5 games of the regular season and their first ever bowl game against Eastern Michigan.
2017 Preview
Offense:
There are a several play makers on the Monarch offense. ODU returns a ton of talent from their 2016 roster. The biggest question mark however resides at the most important position on the field. Who will be the starting QB this season? Primary candidates for the job are former walk-on and sophomore Blake Larussa, RS Freshman Drayton Arnold, and JUCO transfer Jordan Hoy. In the spring game, Larussa seemed to have a better grasp of the offense and played with better decision making. The arm strength of Arnold however keeps him in the conversation heading into fall camp. Jordan Hoy will have his chance to impress the coaches in fall camp as he finally arrives on campus.
The Monarchs do know who the starter will be at running back though, as the former 2014 CUSA Freshman of The Year Ray Lawry returns for his senior season to lead the ODU ground attack. Lawry ran for his 2nd consecutive 1,000+ yard season in 2016 while tallying 1,255 yards to go along with 11 rushing touchdowns. Junior tailback Jeremy Cox will also get plenty of time in the backfield. Cox recorded 732 rushing yards on 129 carries to go along with 13 rushing touchdowns.
Whomever ends up as the starting QB will have a ton of weapons to work with as the Monarch receiving corp returns as one of the most experienced units in the country. Top receiver Zach Pascal has graduated, but guys such as Melvin Vaughn, Jonathan Duhart, Travis Fulgham, and Isaiah Harper headline a group of 10 players who were targeted at least 4 times in 2016. Duhart and Fulgham seem to be the clear cut leaders to replace Pascal. Both players averaged over 15 yards per catch in 2016 to go along with 9 touchdowns (Duhart) and 8 touchdowns (Fulgham) respectively.
Defense:
Really the only question mark on the defensive side of the football heading into the season is who will be stepping up to the starting linebacker roles where the top 5 tacklers must be replace. It seems that heading into fall camp the starting LBs are Marvin Branch Jr and Jordan Young, but that could certainly change. Keisean Wilson, Lawrence Garner, Zach Lackman, and Brent Priester will all have their shot to take hold of a wide open position.
The rest of the Monarch defense is in much better shape in terms of returning talent. The secondary brings back 10 of last years top-12 defensive backs. Headlined by former walk-on Brandon Addison who returns as the clear number one corner in his senior season. Safeties Justice Davila, Sean Carter, and Kane Miskel are solid players in the back as well.
The front of the Monarch defense is terrific though. ODU must replace starting tackle Rashaad Coward, but returns 4 tackles with experience including starter Miles Fox. Defensive end Bunmi Rotimi was fantastic on the outside in 2016. Rotimi and defensive end counterpart Oshane Ximines combined for 21.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks in 2016. While back-ups Daniel Appouh and Tim Ward tallied 11 tackles for a loss to go along with 7 sacks as well.
Special Teams:
Bailey Cate returns as the top punter for the Monarchs. The 2016 Conference USA All-Freshman team member punted 57 times for an average of 37.8 yards and had 25 punts downed inside the 20 yard line.
Another All-CUSA Freshman team member Brad Davis is back as place kicker for ODU as well. Davis handled kick-off duties, field goals, and extra points for the Monarchs in 2016. Davis connected on 45 of 46 extra points and 10 of 12 field goals. Making his case early as one of the best place kickers in the conference.
Summary:
ODU has enough talent returning to potentially take another step forward this season. They have what it takes on paper to challenge for CUSA supremacy. However, key losses at line-backer and the QB position especially are can be hard for teams to overcome. It isn't easy to keep catching lightning in a bottle when replacing QB's and having success one after another. I see the Monarchs taking a little bit of a step back this season while still being competitive in the majority of their games. Inexperience at QB allows for at least one or two hiccups in the season. Add to that the fact that the ODU schedule is a bit tougher this season having to play both WKU and MTSU in the east division to go along with tough out of conference games against North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Schedule & Prediction:
Sept. 2 vs Albany
Sept. 9 @ UMass
Sept. 16 vs North Carolina
Sept. 23 @ Virginia Tech
Oct. 7 vs Florida Atlantic
Oct. 14 @ Marshall
Oct. 20 vs WKU
Oct. 28 @ North Texas
Nov. 4 vs Charlotte
Nov. 11 @ Florida International
Nov. 18 vs Rice
Nov. 25 @ Middle Tennessee
Record: 7-5
Projected Wins: Albany, UMass, FAU, FIU, Marshall, North Texas, Charlotte
Projected Losses: North Carolina, Virginia Tech, WKU, Rice, Middle Tennessee
Previous Rankings:
