Old Dominion Monarchs 2021 College Football Preview
Created July 29, 2021
2019/2020 Recap
Record – Did not play in 2020
ATS – Did not play in 2020
2019 REVISITED
GLUG. GLUG. GLUG.
The Monarchs squeaked by FCS foe Norfolk St (W 24-21) in their season opener and then proceeded to lose an impossible 11 (!) games in a row. There were a few close calls, but overall, the season was a complete disaster from start to finish. They’re only a few seasons removed from a 10-win campaign and a Bahamas Bowl victory, and it will be up to new HC Ricky Rahne to try and get this ship turned around.
Old Dominion Monarchs 2021 Outlook
OFFENSE
The last time we saw this offense in action it was a GREASE FIRE. They finished the 2019 season ranked #128 in total offense and didn’t do much of anything right. The good news is that they bagged a yuuuuge transfer QB from UCF in Darriel Mack (7-2 TD to INT in 2018/2019). He provides legit credibility at the position. A pair of their top-four rushers return (Elijah Davis, Blake Watson) and it’s possible that a true freshman makes an impact. Their top-two WRs are back and both Aaron Moore and Nigel Fitzgerald averaged 15 YPC in 2019. They add several pieces at WR and TE through the transfer portal. The OL is still a major work in progress but they’re led by an experienced center in Isaac Weaver. Getting guard Tyran Hunt to transfer from Maryland is a plus.
DEFENSE
The defense performed admirably in 2019 and ended the season ranked #46 in the FBS in total defense (#55 run, #101 pass efficiency D). They only managed to book 17 sacks (#11 sacks per game C-USA) and had all kinds of issues with PENETRATION (#129 FBS TFL/game). Just three (!) starters are back in 2021 and they’ll definitely miss Keion White who tallied an amazing 19 TFL in 2019. In fact, the DL will comprise a group of entirely new starters. LB Jordan Young (#2 tackler 2019) is a good piece to build around and safety Harrell Blackmon provides stability on the back end. The loss of star CB Kaleb Ford-Dement stings quite a bit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Nick Rice hit 15/20 FGA LY (1/2 40+) and Blake Watson averaged 26.4 per KR in 2019. That’s a decent start.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – There are some winnable games on the docket and they have a good draw from the West (miss UAB, UTSA and get UTEP).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Wake Forest (September 3rd)
They haven’t seen LIVE BULLETS in a long time and we think it’ll take a few games for them to get their SEA LEGS. Not a spot we’ll be taking the points.
Season Win Total
Per 5Dimes July 29
Over 3.5 -155
Under 3.5 +135
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under.
It’s tough to get a read on a team that missed the entire 2020 season but this feels like a major rebuilding job to us.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
The Monarchs aren’t too far removed from a 10-win season and a Bahamas Bowl victory over Eastern Michigan (2016).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The Monarchs are as close to an unknown as you can get. The defense needs rebuilding but at least they have a legit starting QB and some decent weapons at RB and WR. The schedule should allow them to bag a few wins but we don’t expect to see much from this program until at least 2022.
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