Old Dominion Monarchs 2022 College Football Preview
July 16, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 6-7
ATS – 8-5
Yes, guy.
The Monarchs get full marks for getting to a bowl game last year just one year removed from having to bail on the entire 2020 season due to the PLANDEMIC. Get this, yo. They started out 1-6 and looked COOKED but dug in and won their final five games of the regular season. They won those five games by an average of 14 PPG. Old Dominion couldn’t handle Tulsa in the Myrtle Beach Bowl (L 30-17) but certainly have something to build upon heading into 2022.
Old Dominion Monarchs 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Monarchs were mediocre on offense LY (#85 FBS total offense, #73 scoring offense) but it’s important to note that they were much better in the 2nd half of the campaign. That was particularly evident in the regular season ending massacre of Charlotte (W 56-34). There’s definitely reason for optimism with so many key pieces coming back including explosive RB Blake Watson (1,112, 5.2, 8 TD LY) and the SPICY combo of Ali Jennings at WR (1,066, 17.2, 5 TD) and TE Zack Kuntz (73! receptions). Old Dominion will need to get better play out of QB Hayden Wolff (10-7 TD to INT LY) but note that he’s made decent strides from 2019 to 2021. Four starters return up front which is a good sign but they’ll move on without their fine center Isaac Weaver. We expect Old Dominion to have a pretty good offense in 2022.
DEFENSE
The defense has been getting consistently better since 2018 and LY the Monarchs were #8 in C-USA in pass efficiency defense (MEH) and #3 in run defense (NICE). Seven starters are back on this side of the football and the DL should be the strength of the stop unit given the return of sack leader Marcus Haynes (5.5), as well as several other key contributors. The LB group has upside even with the loss of leading tackler Jordan Young (104, 7.5 TFL) and the secondary appears to be much improved on paper. All this defense needs is the emergence of a true pass rushing demon to take the next step. <grabs popcorn>
SPECIAL TEAMS
The INTREPID Phil Steele ranked Old Dominion’s special teams unit #17 (!) LY and they bring back all the key components other than their fine PK Nice Rice (20-26 FG). Don’t sleep on deadly KR LaMareon James who had two KR TDs in 2021.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Monarchs will face a tough, but not overwhelming non-conference docket and they draw well from the West division by missing Troy and the Cajuns. Their final two games are on the road (App St, South Alabama).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 16
Over 4.5 +100
Under 4.5 -130
MEGALOCKS says:
Old Dominion will have to fight for everything they get but five wins should be in their WHEELHOUSE.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
“Old Dominion” refers to the fact that Virginia was the first American colony of the British Empire and that is was given domain status by Charles II. Trivia BOMB, yo.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
We’ve got a good feeling about these guys but it won’t be easy competing in the rugged FUN BELT East division. As is the case with many teams, the season depends on whether or not they can be the beneficiary of efficient QB play. That appears to be the only major question mark with this squad, albeit a yuuuge one. We’ll call for five or six wins and give them a great shot to get back to a bowl game.
Let’s do this!
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WEBSITE
https://odusports.com/sports/football
FORUM
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NEWS
https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/old-dominion/football/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/295/old-dominion-monarchs