FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Sadly nothing to report from the Tiger Camp, other than CGA might be one of the worse D3 teams in the country. I respect the kids for what the do but football is something they do not do well. Bye week coming up followed by 7 straight weeks of odac play. Tigers play 4 of their first 5 odac games on the road. That is going to be a very difficult task. We'll see how the team reacts. One game at home the entire month of October.

Since Merchant Marine and Nichols both took a broadside from CGA, I guess they belong near the bottom.

It's as if we rank all 244 teams each preseason. Check that out for an idea of who are the worst teams.

I know you do.  My statement was poorly worded, as I know d3football has MMA and Nichols where they belong.

[CUACARD59]

CUACARD59
Best hotel close to campus ?

My parents always stayed at the Sheraton in Crystal City Virginia and loved it. It recently reopened as The Westin Crystal City so I'm not sure if it has changed positively or negatively. They also stayed at the Marriot in Crystal City while the Sheraton got renovated and liked it as well. They really liked the Crystal City area, quiet with a nice strip of restaurants a block or two away (including a great 24 hour diner) and I think typically a bit cheaper than the hotels in DC. The drive was about 20 minutes to the field which is not bad at all. I know there are some closer hotels distance wise but I'm not sure if it would be a much quicker travel due to the city traffic. And if metro accessibility is a concern to you it is about 45 minutes from door to door with one transfer. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

I think you will find our defense to be much different than anything CUA has seen this year, at least I hope so.

No question it will be the best offense, defense, special teams, fans, ball boys, etc., etc. And it's not even close. CUA will certainly need to play a great game on offense and be very careful with the football. Didn't intend to undersell the importance of the other aspects of the game. It will clearly take a great overall performance from CUA to win on Saturday. And while the 3-3 stack may be different, it was always one of my personal favorites to play against! Being an uncovered guard is always a blast.

As for the holes the line backers will leave, CUA will obviously need to use some discretion. I would hope Catholic wouldn't treat this as a game of Madden and just keep selecting Engage Eight! Plus CUA typically has 3 down lineman so sending 2 or even 3 backers still would still leave 5 or 6 back in coverage. And I don't expect too many 6 man blitzes.

[HSCTiger fan]

I went to DC this summer for 1 night on our way to visit in-laws. I went on Priceline.com and named my own price. We got a 4 1/2 star hotel called Sofitel Lafayette Square 2 blocks from the White House for $125.00.

CUA always plays HSC tough.  In 2011 CUA held HSC to 31 points their 2nd lowest of the season. In 2012 CUA crushed HSC and in 2013 CUA was one of only 4 teams to score 27 or more against HSC. Further CUA has won 2 of last 3 against HSC in DC.

[tigerfanalso]

Tiger Fan

All away games concern me but going to CAU really concerns me. I hope the Tigers are ready to play turnover free football, otherwise it could be a very interesting day for the Tiger Faithful. We need a game where we are + in the turnover battle and continue that trend for the balance of schedule. If that happens, lots of pressure would be taken off the table.

[tigerfanalso]

Jk

How do you see the odac playing out this weekend ? First week of conference play and could set the tone for another crazy season.

[jknezek]

Jk

How do you see the odac playing out this weekend ? First week of conference play and could set the tone for another crazy season.

I'm thinking there should be two easy wins and two toss-ups.

Guilford should handle W&L at home. Coming off a bye week the Quakers have had plenty of time to practice for the option and they proved last year they have the chops to handle the scheme. Guilford by 14

H-SC should handle Catholic in D.C. Yes, I know. The Tigers struggle against Catholic sometimes. Not sure why. But Catholic isn't very good. They lost to a bad team and beat two teams that are really bad. Maybe Catholic is carrying some momentum, I don't know. But H-SC should remember their last trip to D.C., they have enough experience to understand conference games ALL count for something, and coming off the CGA game H-SC should have their feet under them. If H-SC wants to make December, these are the games they must have learned to win already. HSC by 17

The interesting games:

RMC at E&H. I know RMC was picked second in the conference pre-season. I still think that spot belonged to Guilford. E&H is 3-0 again after the non-conf season. Ferrum is bad, Sewanee isn't real good. Maryville seems off from last year, but not a bad team. With a new coach E&H might have a few surprises and I think this is a good chance to spring one. RMC has rebounded from that horrible opener with wins over Averett and Sewanee. I don't really have a feel for them, as I don't think JHU is as good as years past but they pounded RMC every bit as hard. Comparative scores aren't a great way to pick winners, but I will say E&H beat Sewanee by 17 in Sewanee, RMC beat them by 14 at home. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wasps win a tight one here. E&H by 3

Shenandoah at Bridgewater. Shenandoah is another team like Catholic. Wins over bad teams, loss to a not very good team. Though I'd take Frostburg over McDaniel. You have to like Bridgewater going on the road to Gettysburg and getting the win. I don't think the Bullets are CC contenders, but they are a legitimate team. I'm thinking Bridgewater is slightly better and playing at home, so the Eagles should get off to a winning ODAC start. That being said, I think Shenandoah has up side and is going to keep getting better year over year. I don't think this year is their big leap to ODAC relevance, but it is coming.  Bridgewater by 7

[jknezek]

Off topic, but in other interesting and embarrassing moments for the NCAA these two stories appeared on ESPN.com today pretty much next to each other:

The first story talked about the Ohio State fan who ran on the field last weekend and was body slammed by the Ohio State strength coach. For the student's stupidity he is losing his scholarship and being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the University.

The second story talked about Alabama's DJ Pettway and how nice it is that he spent a year turning his life around in JUCO college and is starting for the Crimson Tide on the defensive line. What did he need to turn around? A little over a year ago he and 3 other players brutally assaulted and robbed of a pair of random Alabama students on campus. So nice that he is back in school getting a free education!

Yes, folks, this is how big time college football works these days!

[Hawks88]

Off topic, but in other interesting and embarrassing moments for the NCAA these two stories appeared on ESPN.com today pretty much next to each other:

The first story talked about the Ohio State fan who ran on the field last weekend and was body slammed by the Ohio State strength coach. For the student's stupidity he is losing his scholarship and being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the University.

The second story talked about Alabama's DJ Pettway and how nice it is that he spent a year turning his life around in JUCO college and is starting for the Crimson Tide on the defensive line. What did he need to turn around? A little over a year ago he and 3 other players brutally assaulted and robbed of a pair of random Alabama students on campus. So nice that he is back in school getting a free education!

Yes, folks, this is how big time college football works these days!

Even more off topic as it isn't football but does have to do with Alabama. Female basketball player graduated this past December. Transferred to Seton Hall for graduate school, to be closer sick family member and play her senior season. All bama has to do is say OK and she is eligible to play immediately. They say no because she waited to late to let them know so they didn't have time to find her replacement. Stay classy, Bama!

[abnrgr]

I went to DC this summer for 1 night on our way to visit in-laws. I went on Priceline.com and named my own price. We got a 4 1/2 star hotel called Sofitel Lafayette Square 2 blocks from the White House for $125.00.

CUA always plays HSC tough.  In 2011 CUA held HSC to 31 points their 2nd lowest of the season. In 2012 CUA crushed HSC and in 2013 CUA was one of only 4 teams to score 27 or more against HSC. Further CUA has won 2 of last 3 against HSC in DC.

OH YEA Tiger. I woke up on the carpet in the hallway of my hotel at the Sheraton. She said she was a nun and she did not Rangers. I felt bad for a few moments...I digress I'll call it...HSC rolls the Cardinal.

[HSCTiger fan]

CUACARD We were told yesterday that we cannot get into the tailgate area until 2 hours prior to the game. What's the deal with that?  We are used to being out at the tailgate cooking breakfast by 8:00 or 8:30.

[jknezek]

CUACARD We were told yesterday that we cannot get into the tailgate area until 2 hours prior to the game. What's the deal with that?  We are used to being out at the tailgate cooking breakfast by 8:00 or 8:30.

If I remember right from what someone told me last year the tailgating "area" is pretty urban. They probably don't want it clogged up all day. I think they close that area well before the game starts as well. Check Catholic's athletic web page, I think there is a right up on there I directed someone to last year.

Most of the parking for Catholic football is over by the volleyball/swimming area, but I don't think they let you tailgate in there either.

[duck]

Hampden Sydney 41 CUA  0 at the half

[HSCTiger fan]

It's not as close as that score would indicate.

[odacsuperfan]

WOW ! HSC STARTERS ARE OUT IN 2nd Half. Is Catholic that bad ?

[HSCTiger fan]

Yes