FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[jknezek]

I think the ODAC is much more competitive top to bottom. Its pretty obvious that JHU has consisterly been the best in the CC. Since B water we have not had a year in and out dominant team. I think it's also clear that JHU has been in a class only an occasional ODAC team has reached lately. Muhlenberg is also probably better than the ODAC champ, or at least equal, most years lately. However I don't think the middle of the CC stacks up well against the middle of the ODAC, and the bottom of the CC, year in and out, is pretty putrid. Worse than Catholic in my opinion. So while the top of the CC clears the top of the ODAC, I'll take the ODAC at most other like for like contests.

[jknezek]

Looks like JHU decided there was no point in running on RMC. They are just passing over the top with ease. This will not look good for the ODAC, again...

[pumkinattack]

Looking forward to coach Yoders pretty improved/successful squad playing Hobart the next couple of years.  Former teammate and longtime assistant colleague Kevin DeWall didn't beat the states nene but made us sweat given the talent differential the past two years (Yoder and DeWall were teammates and teammates of mine who were 10+yr assistants in Geneva before leaving K the last few years for their respective HC gigs).  While they haven't won the league I do recall saying that I thought Scott would build a winner in Shen and he appears to be doing something right in heading in that direction in just a couple of years. 

[jknezek]

We will see. I think this year the ODAC was weaker than normal. That certainly helped Shenandoah's record as opposed to the years before when they won only a game or two in conference. I was at the W&L game last weekend and defensively the Hornets were awful. Not a single stop until the second team was playing in the fourth quarter. Guilford, HSC, and W&L at times this year simply were not good teams. E&H was the best of the back filling teams, but they got a slow start. I wouldn't expect much from Shenandoah next year unless they bring in some strong transfers. Hobart shouldnt have a problem with them.

[tigerFanAlso2]

SU vs. Hobart in 2017. Good for SU stepping it up ooc. They will not like the result.
HSC vs. Platteville in 2017, now that one will hurt.
Wonder if other odac teams are stepping up ooc schedule in 2017.

[jknezek]

SU vs. Hobart in 2017. Good for SU stepping it up ooc. They will not like the result.
HSC vs. Platteville in 2017, now that one will hurt.
Wonder if other odac teams are stepping up ooc schedule in 2017.

W&L hosts JHU next year. That probably won't go well.
W&L goes to C-M-S next year. The first flight game in many, many years.

Otherwise Sewanee should remain on the schedule.

I know in 2018 R-MC and W&L switch CC opponents for a home/home. So R-MC will go back to JHU and W&L will take Dickinson.

Not sure who the fourth OOC opponent will be.

[tigerFanAlso2]

looks like odac champ next year will finish 8-2/7-3 based on the ooc schedule unless the champ can run the odac schedule.

[jknezek]

looks like odac champ next year will finish 8-2/7-3 based on the ooc schedule unless the champ can run the odac schedule.

R-MC will have a good shot at running the table or taking only a single loss again. They bring back a lot, and they will have a fairly easy OOC with Dickinson and most likely 2 USASAC schools. I think W&L (JHU), Shenandoah (Hobart), Guilford (Huntingdon), Bridgewater (TMC) and H-SC (UWP) will struggle to run the table given the OOC schedule. E&H is not consistent enough regardless of whether Maryville stays on the schedule.

[tigerFanAlso2]

remember odac has 4 ooc games next year.

[jknezek]

remember odac has 4 ooc games next year.

If NNA fills many of those holes, as was mentioned, they won't bother the top half of the ODAC too much. They will be a struggle for the 2nd tier teams if they are as good as this year. NNA is always hard to predict because they have very short windows for players.

[tigerFanAlso2]

I thought I read somewhere that most of Macon's defense were seniors, perhaps that is wrong based on your comments of them having the potential to have another 9-1 run.

[jknezek]

I thought I read somewhere that most of Macon's defense were seniors, perhaps that is wrong based on your comments of them having the potential to have another 9-1 run.

A bunch are. I think something like the 4 leading tacklers are seniors. But I saw a lot of depth along the front 7. I also think the offense will improve next year. At least 4 of the 5 leading rushers are back next year. As are pretty much everyone who caught or threw a pass. So even if the defense drops off, the offense should improve. I don't see RMC dropping off from being the favorite next year.

[tigerFanAlso2]

No, I agree RMC should be #1 preseason, in fact I really don't know who will be #2 (E&H ?) or #3 and if those teams can poise a challenge. odac could be weaker in 2017

[HSCTigerForLife]

I wouldn't think a team losing 9 out of 11 starters on defense and losing 5 more reserves on defense would be considered to repeat.  Also, RMC loses 4 out of 5 OL.  Could be ugly for RMC next season.

[jknezek]

I wouldn't think a team losing 9 out of 11 starters on defense and losing 5 more reserves on defense would be considered to repeat.  Also, RMC loses 4 out of 5 OL.  Could be ugly for RMC next season.

That is a lot to replace but I still don't see it getting ugly for RMC next season. W&L loses a ton, Guilford looks young, E&H has no consistency, Shenandoah has no defense, and HSC... well, next year will be interesting for the Tigers. They need to bounce back. I have no idea what Bridgewater brings back.