Old Dominion Monarchs

Old Dominion's 2026 offense was always going to look different after losing Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Colton Joseph, and the transition has been rough. The Monarchs replaced all five starters on the offensive line, and the results have been ugly: seven sacks allowed at Virginia Tech, nine against James Madison, and seven more at Georgia State. Quinn Henicle has shown flashes as a dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 68 yards in the opener and breaking off a 76-yard touchdown run at Virginia Tech, but he has been under constant duress and the passing game has yet to find a consistent downfield threat. The run game has become the identity by necessity, with Devin Roche topping 100 yards against East Carolina and App State, but when opponents load the box, the Monarchs have struggled to respond through the air. Until the line stabilizes and the receiver room (including transfers JJ Harrell and Zion Agnew) produces, this unit will remain volatile.

The 2025 defense was among the nation's best, holding eight opponents to 10 points or fewer and finishing top 10 nationally in sacks and turnovers. That unit returned key pieces like safety Mario Easterly, lineman Chris Forbes, corner Brandon Crutchfield, and safety Lucas Struck, but through the first five games it looked nothing like last year's version, allowing 44 points to Virginia Tech, 46 to James Madison, and 42 to Georgia State. Then came the breakthrough: a 10-3 win at App State in which the Monarchs held the Mountaineers to 158 total yards and forced three turnovers, with Crutchfield sealing it on an interception. That performance is the blueprint. If Old Dominion can sustain that level of pressure and takeaway production, the defense can still be the team's floor.

Kicker Nathanial Eichner took over in November 2025 and finished 7-for-10 on field goals and perfect on extra points, and he has held the job despite competition from FAU transfer Andrew Nelms. Punter Ian Brandt returns but averaged just under 41 yards last season, which was on the low end in the Sun Belt. The return game is a strength: Devin Roche led the conference in punt return average in 2025 and has added kickoff return duties. In a season where the offense has sputtered, flipping field position and stealing points on special teams becomes even more critical.

Head coach Ricky Rahne, now in his sixth year with a 30-33 record, guided the Monarchs to a historic 2025 campaign but faces a rebuild after heavy portal losses. Offensive coordinator Kody Cook and defensive coordinator Blake Seiler have had to integrate new starters at nearly every position group. The staff's ability to scheme around a leaky offensive line and a passing game that has yet to click will determine whether Old Dominion can string together wins. The short week against Georgia Southern (five days after a physical App State game) tested depth and preparation, and the upcoming stretch will demand more creativity and discipline.

The Monarchs are 2-5 and 1-6 against the spread, but the win at App State showed what this team can be when the defense dominates and the run game controls tempo. The remaining schedule offers opportunities, but the offense must prove it can move the ball against defenses that stack the box. Quinn Henicle's health and workload are critical; he carried 26 times against the Mountaineers and has been sacked 23 times in five games. If the line can improve even marginally and the passing game finds a reliable target, Old Dominion has a path to a second consecutive bowl game. If not, the defense will have to carry an even heavier load.