Can Old Dominion Football Finally Break Through This Season's Toughest Challenges?
As I sit down to analyze Old Dominion's upcoming football season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension that comes with being a longtime follower of this program. Having covered college football for over a decade, I've seen plenty of teams face what appears to be an insurmountable schedule, but something about this year's Monarchs feels different. When I look at their situation, I'm reminded of something remarkable I recently heard from basketball player RHJ after his team's championship victory: "Last conference didn't end well for me and I understood that. I felt like everything is a motivation. Not doing well last conference? A lot of things motivate me." That mindset perfectly captures what Old Dominion needs to embrace as they stare down what might be the most challenging schedule in program history.
Last season's 3-9 record was disappointing by any measure, particularly when you consider they dropped four games by a single score or less. The defense allowed an average of 31.2 points per game, ranking them near the bottom of the Sun Belt Conference, while the offense struggled to find consistency with quarterback Hayden Wolff completing just 58.7% of his passes. Those numbers need to improve dramatically if they hope to compete against the likes of Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Coastal Carolina this fall. What gives me hope, though, is seeing how the team has responded during spring practices. The energy feels different this year - there's an edge to these players that wasn't present last season. They're carrying that "everything is motivation" mentality that RHJ described, using last year's disappointments as fuel rather than letting them become anchors.
The schedule itself presents both tremendous challenges and incredible opportunities. Their non-conference slate includes road games against Power Five opponents that will test their resilience early. Then they dive into Sun Belt play where they'll face Appalachian State, James Madison, and Marshall - three programs that have consistently been at the top of the conference. The math isn't particularly encouraging when you look at it objectively - based on returning production and recruiting rankings, most analytical models give Old Dominion just a 28% chance of reaching bowl eligibility. But football isn't played on spreadsheets, and I've seen enough upsets throughout my career to know that motivation and team chemistry can overcome statistical disadvantages.
What really excites me about this team is seeing how head coach Ricky Rahne has adapted his approach. During my visit to spring practice, I noticed significant changes in how they're preparing for specific opponents compared to previous years. The offensive scheme appears more versatile, incorporating more run-pass option plays that should help keep defenses guessing. Defensively, they're showing more multiple fronts, which should help against the diverse offenses they'll face. These adjustments demonstrate that the coaching staff has taken last season's struggles to heart and is using them as motivation to innovate rather than repeating the same approaches that didn't work.
The player development aspect cannot be overstated either. I've been particularly impressed with the growth I've seen from running back Blake Watson, who rushed for over 1,100 yards last season despite the team's overall struggles. His decision to return for his final year of eligibility rather than transferring speaks volumes about the belief this team has in its potential turnaround. When you combine that kind of loyalty with the incoming recruiting class that ranked in the top three in the Sun Belt, there are genuine reasons for optimism despite the daunting schedule.
Ultimately, whether Old Dominion can break through this season's toughest challenges will come down to mentality as much as talent. They need to embody that championship mindset RHJ described - using past failures as motivation rather than allowing them to define future performance. The schedule is brutal, there's no denying that, but I've always believed that tough schedules create opportunities for program-defining moments. If they can steal an early upset against Virginia Tech or Wake Forest, that could provide the confidence boost needed to navigate the rest of their challenging slate. My prediction? They'll surprise some people this year, finishing 7-5 and earning their first bowl bid since 2021. The pieces are there - now they just need to play with the motivated mentality that turns underdogs into contenders.
