Anybody Have A Spare Crystal Ball?

As we start to see Ferrum fade into the sunset of the USA South and emerge as a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, there will be many new aspects to get use to for the players and the fans. First and foremost, do not be fooled.......the ODAC is overall, a stronger football conference than the USA South. This past season, the USA South faced off against the ODAC seven times only winning twice. Ferrum and Maryville both defeated Emory and Henry. While that in and of itself may not mean much, Ferrum will be looked at as the new kid on the block and in ODAC fans eyes, will have to "prove themselves" worthy of the new membership. Fortunately, I think Ferrum will do that right out of the gate.
Be prepared for larger visiting crowds. (May want to add another section of bleachers on the visitors side) ODAC fans will travel, and will support their school. While they may not have come to Ferrum for a non conference game, they will now. Every team in the conference is from Virginia except for Guilford, but the Quakers are the closest school in the conference to Ferrum. (Greensboro N.C.)
Ferrum fans have to show up too.....both home and away. The home schedule this year is awesome as Ferrum opens the season at home against Emory and Henry in the third edition of the Crooked Road Classic. Ferrum has won the first two games of the named series, but look for the Wasps to be hungry to turn the recent series around after last years loss. Remember, this is a conference game! Fan support is crucial. 

Other home games include Homecoming against Washington and Lee. This is the defending ODAC champion who lost in the first round of the playoffs to eventual national champion Mount Union 21-0. North Carolina Wesleyan also played Mt. Union last year.....they lost 58-0. Washington and Lee will be a tough match up. This will be the Generals first trip to Ferrum since the Panthers moved up to a DIII program.
Look for Hampden-Sydney to come to Adams field the following Saturday. To my knowledge this will be the Tigers first trip to Ferrum for a regular season game.

Up and down, the ODAC has talented teams. Besides those already mentioned, Randolph Macon, and Shenandoah have very strong programs. So how will Ferrum stack up?......this is why I need a crystal ball. Its really hard to say, but I want to try to dig a little deeper into the 2018 Panthers.

At a quick glance, I see an offense that, while missing four of eleven starters from last year, has quite a large bit of talent returning. This group of returners is led by rising junior Brian Mann at running back. Mann in his first two seasons set the rushing mark in a season in his freshman year, and followed that up in his sophomore year by breaking his own record. He is quite a talent, and will prove a tough test for any defense in the league.. While Mann has made most of the headlines in the backfield lately, he is not alone back there. 9 other running backs are expected back this season besides Mann.

Look for Quarterback Zach Clifford to again have another strong showing passing as he is slated to have all of the same weapons available to him this year as in 2017. Last season, Clifford posted very strong numbers. In ten games, he threw 249 times, completing 133, while losing twelve to interceptions. That is a 53.4% completion percentage, with a passing yards total of 1858 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Clifford's targets will again include Johnny White,  Ne'Shaun Gill, and Nick Pearce. Dre Davis will also see a good amount of time on the field. Oh and don't forget Brian Mann, he doesn't just run, he will pull a pass down too.
On the ground, Clifford can and will turn it up field, as he kept the ball 63 times last year.

So that leaves the offensive line....
Starting with the Tight End position, Ferrum has little if any experience returning. Both Josh Bare and Marzai Terrell have graduated, and this position starter will likely be determined in fall camp. While it is an important position, Ferrum mainly uses it as a blocking position. Last year, duties were mainly split between Bare and Terrell, and combined, they only hauled in 10 passes, resulting in one touchdown.
On the interior, Look for some holes to be filled. The roster is plump with returning offensive linemen, and a quick scan of recruiting successes leaves me with the impression that while a couple of linemen were lost to graduation, Ferrum is not really rebuilding an O-line, they are just reloading.

Next post:  Defense and Special Teams

Go Panthers!!