(12-11-2014 07:26 AM)Cnelson203 Wrote: I see things a little differently, although I think you pegged the East pretty well
Western Kentucky: (7-1) Doughty back and assuming they get some defense
Middle Tennessee: (6-2)More experience at QB
Marshall: Q(6-2) Question on O Line
FIU (4-4): STronger defense and offense starts to catch up
FAU (3-5): Like this year, they will surprise some folks
Old Dominion: (2-6); NO Heinecke = less wins
Charlotte: (0-8). Will have rough season
CUSA West:
LaTech (6-2) Dixon is the difference, along with defense
UTEP (5-3) Miners continue to improve
Rice (4-4) Think the Owls will drop a bit next year
Southern Miss (4-4) More improvement. 2016 is their break out year
North Texas: (3-5) Will rebound a little
UTSA (1-7): Huge graduating class
Au contraire my friend. I would not be so fast as to write off ODU just because the Monarchs are losing Taylor Heinicke. His replacement will be redshirt freshman Shuler Bentley, 6' 1", 201 lbs and two-time winner of the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. He is a Heinicke clone, but with a slightly stronger arm. In high school he threw for over 5,000 yards and 71 touchdowns -- oh wait -- that was just his senior year!
Taylor Heinicke was nothing short of superb for ODU football, but I personally do not expect the Monarchs to miss a beat at quarterback next year and for three more years after that. Bentley will also have Freshman of the Year, Ray Lawry, in the backfield with him, and most of the O-line is back.
The defense improved throughout the year and played a key role as the Monarchs won their last three games against LA Tech, FIU, and FAU, including holding LA Tech scoreless in the second half. This year's defense will be better.
Additionally, ODU had an above average C-USA recruiting class last year and most were redshirted. It looks like this year's recruiting class will be one of the top four or five in the conference.
All said, I expect ODU to be bowl eligible with more that six wins and be in the thick of it for the East Division championship.