Good morning Wahoo fans! Today is September 21st and your Virginia Cavaliers host their 3rd straight home game against The Old Dominion Monarchs. After starting 3-0 this season the Cavaliers have earned a ranking within the top 25 and some buzz within the college football world. On the flip side, a newer, in-state program in Old Dominion seeks to earn the respect of another power 5 opponent.
Last season, the Monarchs stunned a 13th ranked Virginia Tech team 49-35. The Monarchs lost a total of 21 seniors and a dozen other players who graduated with eligibility remaining or left the team. This season, ODU brought in 14 junior-college players and 6 transfers, to go along with a 28-member freshman class. Due to the departure of multiple starters and role players, the monarchs have struggled to find consistency with their offense. With junior college transfer, Stone Smartt starting behind center, the Monarchs have used a spread shotgun approach but heavily relied on Smartt to RPO’s (run, pass, option). Typically only rotating two running backs, Old Dominion does a great job mixing up their touches in various ways for Lynchburg, Virginia’s own LaLa Davis and redshirt senior Kesean Strong.
After an emotional win, the Cavaliers are set to host a talented team from the 757 and a win could play dividends within the recruiting world. With the wahoos entering the game relatively healthy, expect a lot of guys to rotate in and get meaningful game experience as well as flying around making plays.
Today, the defense will be dominate, making it hard for Smartt to distinguish coverages early enough to make plays for his offense. As for Virginia’s offense, expect the Wahoos to move the ball and dominate from a possession standpoint. Giving Bryce Perkins and the offense a chance to recover from back to back weeks with two interceptions. Creating momentum and sustaining long drives will wear down Old Dominion’s defense giving the Cavaliers the upper hand.
Prediction:
Virginia 35
Old dominion 13
You can find your Cavaliers on ESPN 2 tonight @ 7:00pm eastern time!
#GoHoos