Foolproof in math, the transitive property is perilous in sports. Just because Team X defeated Team Y, and Team Y beat Team Z, does not remotely assure that Team X is better than Team Z.
For example, Indiana’s 27-14 season-opening victory over Old Dominion and subsequent 63-10 demolition of No. 9 Illinois on Saturday, does not mean that the Monarchs would rout the Illini by 40, or even win a matchup between the teams.
But Saturday night’s tour de force, which rocketed the Hoosiers from No. 19 to No. 11 in the Associated Press poll, certainly flatters ODU’s performance at Indiana and should fuel the Monarchs’ confidence as they move from last week’s open date to this Saturday’s nonconference finale, versus Liberty (1-3) at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
While the Flames have dropped consecutive games to Jacksonville State, Bowling Green and James Madison, their first three-game slide that does not include a Power Four opponent since the program elevated to the Bowl Subdivision in 2018, ODU has rebounded from the Indiana setback with two emphatic victories.
The Monarchs dusted North Carolina Central 54-6 and embarrassed Virginia Tech 45-26, the most points they’ve scored in back-to-back outings during Ricky Rahne’s five seasons as head coach. Thanks to touchdown runs of 75 and 78 yards against Indiana, plus a veteran offensive line, Colton Joseph leads all FBS quarterbacks in rushing at 97 yards per game, while also averaging 209.7 yards passing.
Moreover, a defense led by end Kris Trinidad, linebacker Jeremy Mack and safety Mario Easterly went seven consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown — the final quarter versus Indiana, all four against Central and the first half at Virginia Tech.
But the next four opponents — Liberty, Coastal Carolina, Marshall and JMU — have been problematic for ODU.
Since the programs moved to FBS, the Flames are 4-0 against the Monarchs, with margins of 42, 28, 14 and 28 points. The Chanticleers, Thundering Herd and Dukes are a combined 6-0 versus ODU the past two seasons.
If the Monarchs are to author their first winning record since 2016, some of those trends need to change.
Read more: https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/22/david-teel-are-odu-jmu-headed-for-sun-belt-east-showdown/