FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Bwana]

BC at McDaniel should be a good game. BC will have lots of new faces with 30 or 31 Seniors picking up their degrees in May.
   Highfill and Winston Young need to have good games as well as Copeland at WR.

What is the current story with Lewis?  I read one place where he was scheduled to graduate in the spring, another time that he had another year of eligibility, and another where he had another year but was leaving...what is the skinny?

[Bwana]

www.dnronline.com//

   After the tiny Freshman class last year, Mike Clark is looking for many more Freshmen for 2006.

While we know the ODAC is becoming toughter, to read this article it seems like BC will be severely under the gun next year if the recruiting does not pick up.

[Jeremybozz]

  We do have Blake Warring back at WR and Copeland as well. Winston Young needs to stay healthy in '06 and Highfill may start even if Lewis returns. That said, with an improved passing game Lewis might be more effective than in '05 if given a chance.
  Our leading tackler from 2004 LB Craig Smith is back after missing 2005 and not sure about Lewis (he has not yet decided but said his benching would play a bit of a role in his choice). Not sure if RB Robert Matthews will return but he was our fastest player in 2004 according to Mike Clark.
   The ODAC is filled with potentially good teams. If Ricca stays at Catholic they will be a running game and D upgrade from being at least a good team. Vogelbach is awesome and just needs help from his D at Guilford.
   Not sure about HSC but they should be ok. E&H will improve as the Mount Union system is put in by Don.
    W&L is going to be very good and RMC will not be quite as young.

[muchacho]

The ODAC is filled with potentially good teams. If Ricca stays at Catholic they will be a running game and D upgrade from being at least a good team. Vogelbach is awesome and just needs help from his D at Guilford.
   Not sure about HSC but they should be ok. E&H will improve as the Mount Union system is put in by Don.
    W&L is going to be very good and RMC will not be quite as young.

Somebody has to lose.

[muchacho]

Wow...that DNR article on Bridgewater recruiting was excellent. The guy who wrote that did a great job of not only explaining how recruiting goes in D3, but also gave a comprehensive look at whats going on in the ODAC. Interesting to hear about Montgomery's aggressiveness on the recruiting trail, and CUA's Michael Allen stating that they had 20-25 candidates interested in the job on just the first day.
I'm impressed that the guy made the calls to talk with Coach Arruza, Michael Allen, and Coach Colbert instead of just writing about what Mike Clark told him. Its nice to see somebody doing their job right instead of just passing over his assignment to cover a D3 school.

[hasanova]

The ODAC is filled with potentially good teams. If Ricca stays at Catholic they will be a running game and D upgrade from being at least a good team. Vogelbach is awesome and just needs help from his D at Guilford.
   Not sure about HSC but they should be ok. E&H will improve as the Mount Union system is put in by Don.
    W&L is going to be very good and RMC will not be quite as young.

Somebody has to lose.

True, but maybe there will be fewer blowouts, most games will be competitive, the champion will have a loss (or two) and the last place team will have a win (or two).  I don't think I want to see all seven teams finish 3-3, but I think we are moving towards more parity.  For ODAC play, I can see the league having a 5-1 champ (or maybe even 4-2 co-champs), several 3-3 teams and a couple of 2-4 teams. 

[Jeremybozz]

I agree with Hasanova. BC may need to beat McDaniel and Ferrum because in a 3 way tie in the ODAC the team with the longest playoff drought has the edge I think for the automatic bid(unless they swept the other 2 co-champs which is not likely.)
  BC may win the conference but the out of conference schedule may be more important than normal in 2006.
   It is a good thing W&L comes to Jopson.

[hasanova]

I agree with Hasanova. BC may need to beat McDaniel and Ferrum because in a 3 way tie in the ODAC the team with the longest playoff drought has the edge I think for the automatic bid(unless they swept the other 2 co-champs which is not likely.)
  BC may win the conference but the out of conference schedule may be more important than normal in 2006.
   It is a good thing W&L comes to Jopson.

I think Jeremybozz is on target.  If teams such as HSC & BC end in a tie with schools such as W&L or Guilford, the Generals or the Quakers get first dibs at Pool A.  Then, if you're trying to get into the DIII playoffs through Pool C, I think you have to be at least 8-2 (and probably 9-1 overall) to make the 32-team cut.  Look at HSC this year, 4-2 in the ODAC and 8-2 overall , but they were left watching from the sidelines.

[Jeremybozz]

W&L denied as well despite quality wins over HSC and Alfred (Pat thought Alfred would be the last team in the NCAA field I think).

[hasanova]

W&L denied as well despite quality wins over HSC and Alfred (Pat thought Alfred would be the last team in the NCAA field I think).

True, but W&L was 7-3 with losses to BC, Guilford and Centre.  I'm sure their name was mentioned by the selection commitment, but I doubt it was given too much serious consideration.  I've never been "behind the scenes" when they're picking the 32 participants, but I bet it would be tough for a team with three losses to emerge from Pool C.   

[religion_major]

Even with parity improving in-confrence, I still do not see the 2006 ODAC champ having more than one loss.  As far as pool C consideration goes, the schools in the ODAC need to win their out of conference games.  This will improve the quality of win index for all conference teams and help to despell the idea (coming from elseware not from me) that the ODAC is simply Bridgewater and then everyone else.

[Llamaguy]

Well you heard it here first, BC will be better next year than they were last year. Well maybe not first as Kid and myself have discussed it this year.

You have not seen Highfill pass in practice like I have. He is a better passer than runner but I guess you will have to wait til 2006 to see it. The LB corp grew up this year and will be even deeper with Craig back and Arkady a year older. If Mathews comes back we will be even better on offense. Hearndon and Mays will have to be replaced but remember underclassmen were starting at the other 2 DB spots at the end of the season. You already have a capable backup to Young in Carter and will be pleasently suprised when you see Rocket Gadsden's moves next year.

Simply put, BC will be younger but most likely better. We have much to be thankful for in our upcoming team. And don't be suprised if you see a stud transfer or two and some quality freshman next year.

Now. Merry Christmas to all the ODAC Posters!

[Bwana]

I agree with Hasanova. BC may need to beat McDaniel and Ferrum because in a 3 way tie in the ODAC the team with the longest playoff drought has the edge I think for the automatic bid(unless they swept the other 2 co-champs which is not likely.)
  BC may win the conference but the out of conference schedule may be more important than normal in 2006.
   It is a good thing W&L comes to Jopson.

I think Jeremybozz is on target.  If teams such as HSC & BC end in a tie with schools such as W&L or Guilford, the Generals or the Quakers get first dibs at Pool A.  Then, if you're trying to get into the DIII playoffs through Pool C, I think you have to be at least 8-2 (and probably 9-1 overall) to make the 32-team cut.  Look at HSC this year, 4-2 in the ODAC and 8-2 overall , but they were left watching from the sidelines.

BC does need to win those games, and also hope each does well in their own conferences if the A list route is closed.  Remember, the 2000 C bid came because BC was 9-1 and lost to E&H by only 2 points and the win against McDaniel was a win against a playoff team.

But I hope BC win all their games and obviates the need for this discussion.

[religion_major]

This discussion of non-conference games and quality of win index would still be in existence if BC, or any other ODAC school for that matter went 10-0.  The terms of the discussion would revolve around the top seed in the south region in the playoffs and pool c consideration for the second place team in the ODAC (hopefully 9-1 with a close loss to the conference champ). 

[abnrgr]

Skoal quick I need a beer.......BYU and Cal was good and gave me a fix.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas including the LLama. I may add I almost ran one over here in Colorado Springs. I guess they get loose like the horses too. Ugly beast