Old Dominion was on the cusp of winning many games last year – but just couldn’t quite get it done.
The Monarchs played in eight games decided by just one possession and lost six of them. That included a 23-19 defeat at South Carolina to start the year. ODU ended up going 5-7 overall and were just short of bowl-eligibility.
The Monarchs hope they can show some improvement and get back to a bowl game in 2025.
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Old Dominion Football’s Sun Belt Title Betting Odds
Old Dominion’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +1000, via BetMGM, and the team’s odds of winning the Sun Belt East are +600.
ODU’s betting odds of making the College Football Playoff are +6600.
Old Dominion Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
ODU’s win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Under 5.5 at +160 and Over 5.5 at -190.
Old Dominion Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 @ Indiana
Sept. 6 vs. North Carolina Central
Sept. 13 @ Virginia Tech
Sept. 27 vs. Liberty
Oct. 4 vs. Coastal Carolina
Oct. 11 @ Marshall
Oct. 18 @ James Madison
Oct. 25 vs. App State
Nov. 1 @ ULM
Nov. 13 vs. Troy
Nov. 22 @ Georgia Southern
Nov. 29 vs. Georgia State
Dec. 5 Sun Belt Championship
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests
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Key Old Dominion Football Returners
2024 All-Sun Belt 2nd Team
LB Koa Naotala
3rd Team
OL Zach Barlev
DL Kris Trinidad
Honorable Mention
QB Colton Joseph
LB Mario Thompson
Old Dominion Football Aiming To Return To A Bowl Game
Many Old Dominion fans are optimistic about this season. It’s easy to see why considering the talent the Monarchs have on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start at quarterback. Colton Joseph made the All-Sun Belt honorable mention list last year as a redshirt freshman after he threw for 1,627 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 60% completion rate in eight starts. He also ran for 647 yards and a team-best 11 touchdowns.
Quinn Henicle is also returning, giving the team some depth at QB. He played in three games last year and completed 14 of 25 passes for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick while rushing for 278 yards and three scores.
ODU did lose two of its top running backs from last year, Aaron Young and Bryce Duke, as well as its top seven receivers. Running back Devin Roche is the team’s leading returning receiver as he caught seven passes for 52 yards and a touchdown last year while rushing for 274 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries.
Zach Barlev will help set the tone up front for the Monarchs after making the all-conference third team in 2024, as he started games at both left guard and left tackle. Stephon Dubose-Bourne (10 starts in 2024 at right guard and right tackle), Maarten Woudsma (seven starts at right guard and left guard), Skyler Grant (four starts at right guard), and Elijah Hoskin (three starts at left guard) are all returning as well.
On defense, the Monarchs might have the best linebacking corps in the Group of Five and all of college football.
Koa Naotala made the All-Sun Belt second team last year after leading the Monarchs with 88 tackles while adding 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Mario Thompson made the all-conference honorable mention list after ranking third on the team with 65 tackles and second with 9.5 TFLs while totaling four sacks and one fumble recovery.
And that’s not to mention Preseason G5 All-American Jason Henderson, who missed all but one game last season after ranking second in the FBS with 170 tackles in 2023.
Jahleel Culbreath is also back at linebacker after recording the fourth-most tackles on the team (62) and the third-most TFLs (7.5).
Defensive lineman Kris Trinidad, another Preseason G5 All-American, returns as well. The all-conference third-teamer in 2024 led Old Dominion with 10.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks while also recording 45 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Mario Easterly (43 tackles and two pass breakups) is back at safety as well.
Old Dominion Football Season Prediction
I predict Old Dominion won’t win the Sun Belt Championship but will go Over 5.5 wins during the regular season.
The Monarchs don’t have an easy schedule for a Group of Five team. They have to face Indiana, which was in the College Football Playoff in 2024, to start the year. After playing North Carolina Central, ODU goes on the road to face Virginia Tech and then hosts Conference USA powerhouse Liberty.
And in ODU’s Sun Belt slate, the Monarchs have very few easy games. Coastal Carolina, ULM, Troy, and Georgia State are winnable matchups, though.
Will Old Dominion compete for a conference title in 2025 following a losing season? It’s possible, but that would be a substantial step up. Still, I expect the Monarchs will put together a winning campaign this season.
