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NCAA Football Betting Online: The Old Dominion Monarchs are still one of the newcomers to the FBS level. This will be Old Dominion’s fourth year playing at the highest level and they have been a welcome addition so far. The Monarchs went 11-13 in their first two seasons and then broke through with a 10-3 record mark in 2016 on their way to the program’s first bowl victory. The future is bright for the school and now coach Bobby Wilder must be setting his sights on a Conference USA title.
The running attack should be one of the best in the conference again this season. Last year, the Monarchs averaged 196.8 yards per game on the ground. It was the highest average of any team in the conference.
Old Dominion returns its tandem of running backs that ran wild in 2016. Ray Lawry and Jeremy Cox combined to run for 1987 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging over six yards a carry. They both have the size to pick up the tough yards and have the entire right side of their offensive line back too. The left side of the line is projected to have two sophomore starters, so that is a cause for concern.
The big question looming over the Monarchs is who will get the nod at quarterback. Blake LaRussa left spring as the presumptive starter, but anything can happen between now and then. LaRussa has thrown just 24 passes in his college career, but has the most experience of any of the contenders. Whether LaRussa or someone else wins the job, they will need time to grow into the starting role.
In 2016, Old Dominion’s rush defense took huge strides. The big boys on the defensive line were able to get penetration and beat blocks with the linebackers able to clean up behind them. The defensive line should be a strength again this year with three of the four starters from last season back.
The secondary is going to be rock solid too. Virtually everyone that returns to this unit has a good amount of experience and Brandon Addison is a ballhawk. They were fourth in the conference in passing defense last season and might rank even higher this season.
Old Dominion isn’t afraid to play top-level competition. The Monarchs are set to play North Carolina and Virginia Tech in back-to-back games in 2017. It will be an early test to see how good this team is.
The biggest game for the Monarchs will be at home. Western Kentucky has dominated the conference the last two years and Old Dominion got eviscerated when these teams met last year. Old Dominion has its best chance yet to knock off Western Kentucky and a win would give them inside track for the Conference USA East Division title.
2017 Old Dominion Monarchs Schedule
September 2: Old Dominion vs. Albany
September 9: Old Dominion at Massachusetts
September 16: Old Dominion vs. North Carolina
September 23: Old Dominion at Virginia Tech
October 7: Old Dominion vs. Florida Atlantic
October 14: Old Dominion at Marshall
October 20: Old Dominion vs. Western Kentucky
October 28: Old Dominion at North Texas
November 4: Old Dominion vs. Charlotte
November 11: Old Dominion at Florida International
November 17: Old Dominion vs. Rice
November 25: Old Dominion at Middle Tennessee State
List of Old Dominion Monarchs Seasons
| Year | Record | Bowl Game |
| 2016 |
10-3 |
W – Popeyes Bahamas Bowl |
| 2015 |
5-7 |
|
| 2014 |
6-6 |
|
Bobby Wilder has brought Old Dominion from the FCS level to the FBS. This will be his 11th season on campus and he has shined despite the Monarchs not having the name-brand recognition that other schools do.
If the quarterback play is solid, the Monarchs could finally claim a division crown. The other pieces are in place, but the quarterback position is a huge concern. LaRussa is just 5’10 so dealing with batted passes is going to be a big issue. He is likely to have a short leash, so don’t be shocked if another quarterback gets action as the starter in September.
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