FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Anyone know when the pre-season press conference scheduled?

I don't know, but it's been on or around Aug. 8 on at least one occasion - so maybe next week?  USASAC's press conference is tomorrow, July 29.

[tigerfanalso]

Jk

You are correct the 2012 game was one of the best played in the ODAC. Still can't believe we blew a 17 point lead against a team the can't pass the ball. The W&L defense really stepped it up and played well and allowed only 10 points in the last three quarters of the game. I thought our defense played ok in allowing only 27 points in regulation play but obviously not good enough. I think my son heads back to practice on the 15th so the start of the 2013 season is not far away; almost time to start getting excited !!!!

[Scots13]

Anyone know when the pre-season press conference scheduled?

I don't know, but it's been on or around Aug. 8 on at least one occasion - so maybe next week?  USASAC's press conference is tomorrow, July 29.

The ODAC's twitter page says coaches' poll will be out 8/2

[hasanova]

Anyone know when the pre-season press conference scheduled?

I don't know, but it's been on or around Aug. 8 on at least one occasion - so maybe next week?  USASAC's press conference is tomorrow, July 29.

The ODAC's twitter page says coaches' poll will be out 8/2

Thanks!  +1

[tigerfanalso]

Predictions on the coaches poll anyone? This is my guess:

RMC
W&L
HSC
BC
E&H
GC
CUA
SU

[HSCTiger fan]

IMO Coaches Might vote:
WL (4)
RMC (2)
HSC (1)
BC (1)
EH
GC
CU
SU

My opinion:
HSC
RMC
WL
BC
EH
GC
CU
SU

[tigerfanalso]

HSCTiger Fan

I like your picks and hope the season plays out accordingly. Wondering why you think the Tigers will win the ODAC after last years performance. When you have an opportunity I'd like to learn more or are you just picking them because you refuse to pick another school ahead of yours !!!

[HSCTiger fan]

In a word - maturity.

Best QB in ODAC 4th year junior
Best WR in ODAC junior
Other WR is a VMI transfer that's 6'5" 3rd year sophomore
1 spectacular senior RB
5 great seniors on OL
2 awesome senior TEs
1 just as awesome junior TE

9 returning starters on Defense all but 1 are juniors or seniors
Fryman's replacement is a D1 transfer 4th year college player.

I know it sounds cliche but the only thing that stops these Tigers are these Tigers.  Besides its our year. We love the odd years - ODAC Champs 07, 09, 11,....13?

As for last year's performance - 6-4. Losses to WL and Huntington could have easily gone the other way. CU beat our butts. RMC loss came after demoralizing 4OT loss that ended our playoff streak. No excuses just fact.

IMO this is the best most experienced Tiger team since 09. It will all play out the next 4 months.  We'll all see.   

Question is there a more experienced/mature  team in the ODAC?  I honestly do not know.

[Scots13]

Looks like its going to be a decent year for Marty and the boys if all these returners and transfers play well together.  Being an HSC area guy I wish Maryville would've played them.  Would have been nice playing in front of the hometown folks.

What do yall think E&H will do this year? I know they have Boden back and he's pretty decent (just doesn't know the difference between an upright and the crossbar...youtube him.) MC and E&H play in Week 2 at E&H, so my other question: what's the tailgating area like? Plenty of room, call ahead and reserve, first come/first serve....

[jknezek]

ODAC announces their pre-season poll, going away from some minor tradition by not setting the previous champion at #1:

HSC (3) 42
RMC (3) 40
Bridgewater (1) 39
W&L (1) 38
E&H  22
Guilford 22
Shenandoah 12
Catholic  9

Kind of interesting. I think the coaches did a good job, but I am interested in Shenandoah ranking ahead of Catholic. I still think RMC wins the conference since they get better home games and I think W&L beats Bridgewater at home (although W&L could still have at least 2 conf losses). Overall, the tight pack at the top shows there really isn't an overwhelming favorite again and this ODAC season should be very competitive.

[BCQBFAN]

I think with Shenandoah getting a QB transfer in Drew Ferguson, maybe that's the reason they are picked ahead of Catholic.

[Pat Coleman]

Because he played fullback on one of Mount Union's JV teams? I'd be surprised if that's a big factor.

[jknezek]

Because he played fullback on one of Mount Union's JV teams? I'd be surprised if that's a big factor.

Agreed. More likely the new coach is showing a lot of extra belief in his ballot. A single ballot outlier would have done it.

[HSC85]

I think that the preseason poll is nice but the end of season results is what counts ( cliche' ). 

With that said the bunching at the top indicates that any of the top four teams can win the conference.  i think that HSC gets more points due to the fact that more coaches worry about defending the offensive weapons on their team than on the other teams.  However as has been shown over the past two seasons, if HSC does not figure out a way to stop the power running game or the option running game they will have a very unhappy end to their season.  When the defense has been really good (as in 08- 10 ), HSC plays a more balanced game.  They are more difficult to defend. This balance allows them to be more aggressive in attacking weak spots in opposing defenses.  When the games are going to be shootouts, or Marty feels that he has to score almost every time he has the ball, he takes more risks and attempts more low percentage gambles.  Some of these work out and HSC does have success.  However against better teams, there has not been consistent results. 

So my prediction for this year is that HSC will be as successful as the defense is improved.  The offense will rank first or second in the ODAC and very high nationally.  They will win games.  But the thing that will determine if they win the ODAC will be the improvement of the defense.  I feel that the pieces are in place.  We will just have to see how they perform. 

[umhb2001]

Because he played fullback on one of Mount Union's JV teams? I'd be surprised if that's a big factor.

How many JV teams do they have?