What to Expect From Old Dominion Football This Upcoming Season

As I sit down to analyze Old Dominion's football prospects for the upcoming season, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating piece of information about the 24-year-old building a solid following across Southeast Asia. While our Monarchs play a different kind of field, there's something compelling about how regional influence can transform a program's trajectory. Having followed college football for over fifteen years, I've seen how teams can capture regional imagination much like that young star captured hearts in the Philippines, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Let me be perfectly honest - I'm genuinely excited about what's brewing in Norfolk this year. Last season's 6-6 record might not set the world on fire, but there were moments of pure brilliance that suggested something special was developing. I remember watching the Virginia Tech game where we led through three quarters before eventually falling 28-21. That performance showed me this team has the grit to compete with anyone in the region. The defense particularly impressed me, recording 34 sacks and forcing 18 turnovers throughout the season. Those numbers aren't just statistics - they represent a cultural shift toward aggressive, opportunistic football that I believe will define our identity this year.

The quarterback situation deserves special attention because, frankly, I think we've got something special developing there. Hayden Wolff returns with twelve starts under his belt, and I've noticed his decision-making has matured significantly. His completion percentage jumped from 58% in his first five games to nearly 65% in the final stretch last season. That kind of progression isn't accidental - it speaks to both his work ethic and the coaching staff's development approach. I've spoken with several people close to the program who say Wolff has added about eight pounds of muscle while maintaining his mobility, which could make him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the Sun Belt.

What really gets me excited, though, is our receiving corps. I've been watching college football long enough to recognize when a group has that special chemistry, and these receivers have it. Ali Jennings III returns after racking up 1,066 yards last season - the third-highest single-season total in program history. But here's what many people might miss: our depth at receiver is actually better than it's been in years. I count at least five legitimate threats who could start for most Group of Five programs. That kind of depth creates mismatches that offensive coordinator Kevin Decker should exploit creatively.

Our running game presents an interesting puzzle. Blake Watson is gone after his stellar career, but I'm actually optimistic about what's coming next. Obese Seldon showed flashes of brilliance last year, averaging 5.2 yards per carry in limited action. The coaching staff tells me he's added about twelve pounds of muscle while maintaining his breakaway speed. But here's my concern - and it's something I don't hear many people discussing - our offensive line needs to gel quickly. We're replacing two starters, including All-Sun Belt selection Nick Saldiveri. If that unit comes together by week three, I think we could surprise people with our ground attack.

Defensively, I'm looking at what coordinator Blake Seiler has cooking with genuine anticipation. We return seven starters from a unit that showed significant improvement as last season progressed. The secondary particularly intrigues me - we've got experience and athleticism there that we haven't had since maybe the 2016 team that went to the Bahamas Bowl. Safety R'Tarriun Johnson is someone I've been watching closely - his football IQ seems to improve every game, and I wouldn't be surprised if he leads the team in interceptions this season.

Special teams often get overlooked, but I've always believed they're the difference between a good season and a great one. Ethan Sanchez returns after hitting 15 of 19 field goals last year, including a 48-yarder against Coastal Carolina. That kind of reliability in the kicking game provides a psychological advantage that's hard to quantify but very real during close contests. Our return game needs improvement though - we averaged just 18.3 yards per kick return last season, which ranked us 98th nationally. That has to get better if we want to win the field position battles.

Looking at our schedule, I see both challenges and opportunities. The opener at Virginia Tech will tell us a lot about this team's character early. Then we've got home games against Louisiana and Appalachian State that could define our season. Personally, I'm circling October 21st against Marshall as potentially the most important game on our schedule. There's something about that rivalry that brings out the best in both programs.

What gives me confidence isn't just the returning talent - it's the culture head coach Ricky Rahne has built. I've been around this program enough to sense when there's genuine belief in the locker room, and right now, that belief is palpable. The players I've spoken with genuinely buy into what the coaching staff is selling, and that kind of unity can overcome talent deficits when necessary.

Realistically, I see this team winning between seven and nine games if things break right. The ceiling might be even higher if we stay healthy and get a few bounces our way. I know some analysts are predicting another .500 season, but I think they're underestimating the momentum this program has built. The way I see it, we're positioned to capture the regional imagination much like that 24-year-old star did across Southeast Asia - by delivering compelling performances that make people outside our immediate circle take notice.

At the end of the day, what I expect from Old Dominion football this season is growth, excitement, and maybe a few surprises along the way. We might not be competing for a national championship yet, but we're building something special here in Norfolk. The foundation feels solid, the talent is improving, and the coaching appears sharp. As someone who's followed this program since its rebirth in 2009, I can confidently say this might be the most complete team we've fielded since joining the FBS. That's not just hope talking - it's what I genuinely believe after watching this team develop over the past few seasons.