What are we waiting for to move?

[ODU Commish]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...now-set-season

Could Conference USA not accommodate us for next year, or are we holding off one year just to have a shot at winning an FCS national championship? If so, that seems a bit short sighted to me. We have a great team coming back but will we be one of the favorites to win it all?

If we go to C-USA this year for all sports but football, that would be great since the CAA doesn't want to let us participate in championships. If the CAA says no to that arrangement, then we could play a full non-conference schedule in football like in our first season, and I would guarantee that some (maybe not all) would still play us non-conference for attendance purposes. We might still be able to get an at-large bid into the FCS tournament since there are more teams now (I think).

Thoughts? VCU and Butler are moving quickly, should we do the same?

[Mountainman Monarch]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...now-set-season

Could Conference USA not accommodate us for next year, or are we holding off one year just to have a shot at winning an FCS national championship? If so, that seems a bit short sighted to me. We have a great team coming back but will we be one of the favorites to win it all?

If we go to C-USA this year for all sports but football, that would be great since the CAA doesn't want to let us participate in championships. If the CAA says no to that arrangement, then we could play a full non-conference schedule in football like in our first season, and I would guarantee that some (maybe not all) would still play us non-conference for attendance purposes. We might still be able to get an at-large bid into the FCS tournament since there are more teams now (I think).

Thoughts? VCU and Butler are moving quickly, should we do the same?

Careful. We're in a different situation than VCU and Butler. People who are clammering for us to move now may not have Old Dominion's best interests in mind b/c if we go now then we are offering 20 extra football scholarships just to fill a roster. If we wait a year and recruit properly than not only could we win the FCS title but we will also be better prepared for FBS.

As far as BBall... even if we don't make the NCAA, we win the CAA (which is very possible) and consider it a going away present to the rest of the league.

It's statement time.

[pandorazboxx]

I think there's likely some logistical issues with conference scheduling for next year for CUSA possibly. I'd be in favor of a move for everything except football this upcoming year. I think we do have a shot at the FCS national championship.

[ODUgobigblue]

Yes, we will be one of the favorites in the FCS. We finished #10 last year, and we have almost everyone returning. We have the best quarterback, best wide receivers, one of the best offensive lines, a solid 4-deep at RB, and one of the best defensive lines in the country. If our defensive backfield is able to cover people like they did at the spring game, we're looking at the most improved part of our team, and we will no longer have any glaring weaknesses.

Waiting gives us a chance to get all of our ducks in a line. It gives an extra year to recruit at a higher level, an extra year to plan for stadium expansion, an extra year of fundraising, etc.

C-USA would not have been able to accommodate us anyway, as Memphis, Houston, SMU, and UCF are all still all-sports members for the 2012-2013 season. Letting us in would throw it into an odd number, and travel would be horrendous without any regional teams besides ECU and Marshall.

[smudge12]

We also have to be careful not to burn any bridges with the CAA. Our orphaned sports depend on it.

[ODUAlum78]

Yes, we will be one of the favorites in the FCS. We finished #10 last year, and we have almost everyone returning. We have the best quarterback, best wide receivers, one of the best offensive lines, a solid 4-deep at RB, and one of the best defensive lines in the country. If our defensive backfield is able to cover people like they did at the spring game, we're looking at the most improved part of our team, and we will no longer have any glaring weaknesses.

Waiting gives us a chance to get all of our ducks in a line. It gives an extra year to recruit at a higher level, an extra year to plan for stadium expansion, an extra year of fundraising, etc.

C-USA would not have been able to accommodate us anyway, as Memphis, Houston, SMU, and UCF are all still all-sports members for the 2012-2013 season. Letting us in would throw it into an odd number, and travel would be horrendous without any regional teams besides ECU and Marshall.

Our dbs weren't ever that bad in coverage. The dbs were atrocious at covering certain types of run schemes.
Our very good DL was great at handling running teams like JMU that try to run it right down your throat. However, teams that run alot of misdirection, like W&M's pro set and GaSo option, gave us fits; and have since day 1 (see Cal Poly).

Don't kid yourself. W&M's running attack will be as potent as it was last year; because it's Laycocks scheme as much as the individual rb that makes it work. Keith McBride is the guy to make it work. That game will define our defense, and tell us how far we can expect to go in the playoffs.