FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[CUACARD59]

Hampden-Sydney hasn't always been this good ...
   Joe Bush at H-SC (1986-1996):  61-48 (.560)
   Phil Culicerto (1997-1999):           4-26 (.133)
   Marty Favret (2000-2014):        110-44 (.714)

Wow. I actually had no idea that Coach Favret inherited a losing program. This is extremely impressive.

Congratulations to Guilford WR Adam Smith on being named to d3football's TOW.  In a game I personally watched, Smith had a great game versus Catholic, catching six passes for 204 yards and scoring three times from 16, 29 and 78 yards to help the Quakers to a 42-21 win over the Cardinals.

I personally watched the game as well and couldn't agree more. Smith also made a few great plays that didn't result in TDs, particularly a long 3rd down conversion while the game was still very close. Unbelievable throw from "The Cobra" and an equally great catch from "The Banker."
Hasa and GC2005- On a side note, I thought the broadcast team for the Quakers was outstanding. All the nicknames are hilarious and they were a blast to listen too. Very entertaining, knowledgeable and surprisingly very unbiased at a level where most broadcasters are huge homers. Cream of the crop.

[HSCTiger fan]

In fact this years senior class has the chance to become the only class in HSC history to win 3 odac championships. Think about that and remember there are seniors on most odac teams that have never won a championship, period.

With ODAC Champioships in '07, '09, '11, and '13 every player that has stayed for 4 years at HSC since 2006 has 2 rings. 

[GC2005]

CUACARD,

Thanks for the love on the commentators.  Hard to believe that those two actually called a couple of high school games I played in a good while ago.  I am actually from the county next to Guilford County.  So I am guessing these two might be homegrown in Davidson County NC.  On a side note, I got to visit a breathtaking Catholic Church while I was in Savannah Georgia last week.  I spent the next bit trying to tell my wife about the even larger more awe inspiring church on the campus of CUA.  I even pulled up a few pictures to show her on my phone.

On the other hand, I too did not know Coach Favret inherited a losing program at HSC. He has truly done a great job building a program that is always in contention for the ODAC title and winning it numerous times.  It's fair to say that each of the last nine or ten years the road to the ODAC title goes through Farmville.  Can one of you clarify for me, I had heard that Coach Favret was a player at Penn State?  Is there any truth to that?

[SydneyBoy17]

CUACARD, Can one of you clarify for me, I had heard that Coach Favret was a player at Penn State?  Is there any truth to that?

He played basketball at Catholic

[Pat Coleman]

GC2005 -- each school tends to have a handy-dandy bio of their head coach on their website to answer such questions.

[algernon]

Can one of you clarify for me, I had heard that Coach Favret was a player at Penn State?  Is there any truth to that?

Coach Favret went to Catholic, where he was a starting guard for their basketball team. 

He might have played some football in high school ...

[jknezek]

Jk

As always, please provide your opinions on odac play on Nov. 8th. I always enjoy those post.

Yeah, cause I was so good at it last week! My picks are in, but I'll gather some thoughts later on.

[tigerfanalso]

you can't right 100% of the time but I do enjoy your insights even if you miss a few.

[jknezek]

W&L at Catholic. Battle for the bottom. If this was in Lexington, I think W&L wins by 10 points. At Catholic it's a toss-up. I feel like the Generals have dropped off a bit the last two games. Lots of freshman playing and getting pretty sore. Catholic just isn't very good, but neither are the Generals. I went with W&L, but that may be more of a homer pick than anything else at this point. W&L by 7.

Shenandoah at E&H. E&H has been playing good football. They are in control of games early and not having problems closing teams out. Shenandoah makes one of their longest trips of the season and I think it's going to be in vain. Shenandoah is better than last year, but E&H is miles better than last year. E&H by 17 at home.

Bridgewater at RMC. Both teams are solidly in the middle of the conference. Bridgewater is coming off their big win, RMC is coming off one of their best games of the season. I've kind of soured on RMC this season, and Bridgewater is slightly better than I expected. But both are coming off their best games. I think Bridgewater has more of the bit in their teeth right now and wins a tough game on the road. Bridgewater by 7.

Guilford at H-SC. Both teams control their destiny. The bloom is really off H-SC's season with the loss last week. Are they the class of the ODAC? I think so, and I expect them to win this game at home. But the two losses have me doubting this is a special ODAC team. A champion, yes. A legitimate team to put the ODAC on the national map? Not so much. All that being said, the two senior pre-season All-Americans underperformed last week, and I believe they will be angry this week. Bridgewater beating the snot out of H-SC couldn't have come at a worse time for Guilford.

On the other hand, Guilford is playing consistently at a high ODAC level, but I haven't seen them take the leap forward that has them looking like a champion. This nucleus has one more year together, and next year might be more their time. Playing at an angry H-SC is too tall a task this year. H-SC by 17.

[hasanova]

You know, I have seen both W&L and CUA play the Quakers ... I have a hunch Catholic is going to win this one in DC.

[jknezek]

You know, I have seen both W&L and CUA play the Quakers ... I have a hunch Catholic is going to win this one in DC.

It wouldn't surprise me at all.

[GC2005]

Thanks for the insight on Coach Favret guys.   Pat, good suggestion on the bios...I might say I was being ignorant but just this once I will chalk it up to being exhausted from everything going on lately.

JK,

I enjoy your pick 'ems so much that I attempted a weak imitation last week.  It didn't work so well but I did try.   I guess that makes you an original.  By the way, have a little faith in the Gennies...that game in DC this week may be a fun one to watch.  I think when guys are playing just for pride sometimes it makes for great football.  I have played on some teams that weren't good but I always wanted to win.  The young Gennies should keep their heads up...it may not mean much but I think they are a better team than their record would indicate.   Also, i don't think the CUA Cards have anything to be ashamed of, from what o heard they came out to GC last week and went for broke.  At the end of the day that's all you can ask of your guys.   

[tigerfanalso]

GC2005

What is your take on the GC vs HSC game this week ?

[GC2005]

TFA,

Right off I know HSC will be angry due to last week's game at BC.  I think the fact that it is in Farmville will help HSC.  I don't get to see HSC often but I see them trying to get vertical on GC and do it quickly.  I don't know how solid HSC running game is this year, but trying to stop Nance and Walker will be quite the task.  GC has to protect Pawlowski better than they did last year.  GC has a good running ge but they also like to go airborne quite a bit. 

With all that being said GC has the best chance if they can get some pressure on Nance and they need their offensive line to be firing on all cylinders.  I just don't know for sure, but I think GC has some type of mental block they have to overcome to be able to compete with HSC.  I am not taking away anything from HSC though.  HSC has such an explosive offense....GC will have to force turnovers to have a chance. 

Personally, it pains me to say this, but I think HSC will pull it off by 21.  I believe that GC can make it more competitive than I am predicting, but until they show me otherwise this is how I see it paying out this weekend.  I know you like my prediction, but I hope it is much closer than my pick.  I want GC to show me the mental toughness and grit that it will take to beat a team as good as HSC. 

Anywho, I am excited and I wish I could make the trip this weekend.  Hopefully all of you guys, along with hasa and his crew have a great time and you all get to see some great football.

[tigerfanalso]

GC2005

I like your prediction and certainly hope it becomes reality. Been a tough week on campus, I think a home football game is exactly what is needed at this point. I know this for sure, HSC cannot play like they did last week and expect to win. We'll see what happens but my prediction is HSC 49 - GC 42.