FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[tigerFanAlso2]

That is an amazing stat; if they can't beat Dickinson you have much to worry about.

[Generals98]

I will go out on a limb and promise a Opening road win!!

[jknezek]

That is an amazing stat; if they can't beat Dickinson you have much to worry about.

There are some mitigating circumstances, namely W&L played E&H as the opening weekend opponent from 1982 to 1995, a span that encompassed most of E&H's glory years and covering a period where E&H beat W&L 19 straight times regardless of location. But yeah, even when opportunities have come up, the Generals just haven't been able to get it done. Losing to Averett in 2014 and F&M in 2012 were brutal disappointments. Mostly through that long history though, W&L has simply been blown out in road openers. It's uncanny.

[tigerFanAlso2]

Didn't RMC destroy Dickinson last year ?

[jknezek]

Yes. 51-0. And Dickinson went 1-9. I expect W&L will break the duck, but I expected them to break it in 2012 and 2014 as well.

Edited to add:
Oops. Wrong year. Last year was 41-6 and Dickinson improved to 3-7.

[HSCTiger fan]

WL will be good no doubt about it. But IMO losing HC/OC, and DC is going to be too much to overcome.  WL only had 3 conference championships prior to Abell arriving on campus. Since 2010 when Abell came in as OC, WL has had 4. Very seldom does a team lose such a quality coach and not see a dip in wins and production. I do recognize the commitment WL has put into football and all sports. So maybe this situation will be different. Maybe they surprise me, but I do not think WL repeats as ODAC champs.

[Generals98]

No doubt they will miss Coach Abell. I feel that they have two coaches in LeRose and Jones (along with Colliton and Stickley) that are very familiar with their offense and will do a great job keeping the offense rolling. They also have a great RBs coming back with a great O-Line. The QBs have experience in the system also. Coach O'Brien (along with some new coaches Perrotta and Franklin) will do a great job calling the defense, which will miss LB Garrett but have two returning All Conference defensive linemen (Frailer and Davis) coming back. I know they have a great class of incoming freshmen too, many that might just contribute right away similar to Andrew Frailer last year. Anything can happen but I feel comfortable with W&L's chances to repeat. I am told the players love Coach Mathews also! Go Generals!! 

[HSCTiger fan]

I get it you guys are excited. You should be.  No first year head coach has won the ODAC in this century. The last team to repeat was HSC and they won in a 4 way tie breaker. One big difference for WL is the cupboard is far from bare. But bring familiar with the offense and knowing it inside out like Abell are 2 different things.  I  assumed they were familiar with it. The RB back is reallly good there is no doubt about it. I'm sure they recruited a fine group of freshmen, but teams don't win championships in football relying on freshmen.  I would bet only 1 or 2 find the starting line up. Anymore than that then WL will certainly not win an ODAC title.

RMC brings back 34 of their 2 deep. Including - 10 starters on offense and 8 on defense. They are in my opinion the team to beat in the ODAC this year.

[Generals98]

You are correct. I am excited. I agree that RMC will no doubt be a very good team and most will probably pick them as favorites. I would not underestimate Coach LeRose and Jones knowledge of the offense, but calling a game is different and I feel Coach LeRose will rise to the occasion! Just my humbled biased opinion. I also agree that freshmen don't win Championships but they will provide depth. Of coarse I am biased since my son is one of them. I am a firm believer that Games are won and lost in the Trenches. W&L return most of the starters for last year and the D-line has several young linemen that will only be better this year. That is why I have faith that the Generals will repeat!  I wish your Tigers good luck (especially against RM) this year (except when they play the Generals  ,)  My son made his visit to H-S when they played W&L last year. He had a good time and enjoyed the visit. 

[MUC57]

Generals98

Congrats on your son getting into W&L. I know it's a superb academic institution. And after all, isn't that the primary reason we select a school? I wish him well. And the best to all the freshmen everywhere. Big transition from high school to college!
Good luck to all the ODAC teams. Go Generals! Go Raiders! And as I usually say, Go Everybody! ☠🏈

Oh, and Generals98, since this is the first time I have chatted with you, I should inform you of something that is known on the other boards - I'm old. I get mixed up and I forget things. (Mount Union class of 1957). Also, a +k because you're new. 🍺 "Noroc" - Romanian for cheers!

[Generals98]

Thank you MUC57!

Yes, It is the primary reason! I agree 100 percent! I don't think Mount Union has lost since you were there  ! I just wish there were more people talking on the board and more D3 coverage. I have just started watching D# football and mostly the ODAC since that is where my son took the majority of his visits and I love me some ODAC football. MUC57 I am a little younger than you (West Virginia State class of 92) but I am the same way I get mixed up too I just love football!!

[MUC57]

Generals98

Actually, you're a "LOT" younger than me. Not to be concerned. Almost everyone is younger than me!
Boards are slow now due to the off season. Wait until the season begins. It will get fast and furious.
You'll come across some very knowledgable people on all the boards, good guys that enjoy talking Dlll football. You'll spot them after awhile. You will also come across some real jerks, guys who love to argue about anything and can get pretty nasty. They can be spotted also! Most posters are between those two extremes. We swap info, likes and dislikes and even an occasional joke. A good time can be had on these boards.
I'm sure you'll be mostly on the ODAC board, but take a peek at some of the others. Some chatter goes beyond any particular board. Mount Union (OAC) will talk about Mary Hardin-Baylor (ASC). Wesley (NJAC) may talk about Wisconsin-Whitewater (WIAC). You get the picture. Look around. There will be lots of stuff out there come September.
Always nice to have some new guys (or gals) join in. Could add a new perspective.
Again, good luck to W&L. Go Generals. (And, of course, Go Raiders). ☠🏈😀🍺
(The skull and crossbones I use at the end of my posts is like the stickers Mount puts on their helmets - see last years Stagg Bowl.)

[jknezek]

W&L the only ODAC school receiving votes in the D3football Preseason Top 25.

[MUC57]

Jknezek

They would certainly get my vote. Did pretty well last year. Good luck in 2018. Go Generals! ☠🏈

[jknezek]

Jknezek

They would certainly get my vote. Did pretty well last year. Good luck in 2018. Go Generals! ☠🏈

Coaching change will be interesting. I'm hopeful. Lot of talent coming back.