Honestly, if you're an Old Dominion fan, the 2025 calendar feels like a fever dream. We’ve got Power Four giants on the road, a Thursday night national spotlight, and a Sun Belt slate that looks like a literal gauntlet. People keep asking if the odu football schedule 2025 is too top-heavy. It’s a fair question. When you open against a Big Ten team that just finished in the Top 20, "easy" isn't the word that comes to mind.
But here’s the thing: Ricky Rahne has built this program to thrive on being the underdog. We saw it in Blacksburg. We saw it against Georgia Southern. This year, the Monarchs aren't just showing up to collect a check. They're looking to wreck some seasons.
The Brutal Non-Conference Start
The season kicks off on August 30 in Bloomington. Facing Indiana right out of the gate is a massive ask, especially with the Hoosiers coming off a stellar 2024. Most pundits are already marking that as an "L," but Colton Joseph proved last year that he doesn't care about point spreads.
Then comes the home opener on September 6 against North Carolina Central. It’s a bit of a breather, sure, but you can’t sleep on the Eagles. They’ve been consistent winners in the MEAC. After that? It’s back to the lions' den.
September 13 at Virginia Tech is the game everyone in the 757 has circled. The Hokies got the better of us in Norfolk recently, but Blacksburg has its own energy. It’s loud. It’s hostile. It’s exactly where ODU loves to play spoiler. Wrapping up the non-conference on September 27 against Liberty at home is the cherry on top. The Flames have had our number lately, leading the series 4-1, but S.B. Ballard Stadium will be rocking for that one.
Sun Belt East: Life in the Gauntlet
The conference schedule is where things get really gritty. The Sun Belt East is arguably the toughest "mid-major" division in the country. No joke.
- Coastal Carolina (Oct 4): Family Weekend. We’ve split the last four with them, though the Chants have won the last two.
- At Marshall (Oct 11): Huntington is where win streaks go to die. Marshall leads the series 9-1. This is the biggest mental hurdle on the odu football schedule 2025.
- At James Madison (Oct 18): The Royal Rivalry. JMU has taken three straight, but the last two were decided by a combined six points. It’s due to swing our way.
- App State (Oct 25): The Mountaineers are the gold standard of the Sun Belt. Having them in Norfolk is a huge advantage.
Basically, October is going to determine if this team is bowling or staying home for the holidays.
The Mid-Week Grind and the Home Stretch
One of the coolest parts of the odu football schedule 2025 is the Thursday night game. On November 13, Troy comes to Norfolk. National TV, under the lights—there’s nothing like it. We crushed Georgia Southern on a Thursday last year, so the vibes are definitely there.
After a trek to Monroe to face ULM on November 1—the first time these two programs have ever met—and that Troy matchup, we finish with two familiar faces.
- November 22 at Georgia Southern: We’ve won two in a row against the Eagles. Statesboro is a tough trip, but the Monarchs seem to have their number lately.
- November 29 vs. Georgia State: The regular-season finale. Remember 2023? That walk-off win to clinch bowl eligibility? Don't be surprised if this game has similar stakes.
Who Is Leading the Charge?
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the guys playing it. Colton Joseph is the guy. Period. After accounting for 22 touchdowns last season, he’s the undisputed leader of this offense. People are also high on Quinn Henicle as a backup, giving ODU arguably its deepest QB room in years.
The running back room is a bit different without Aaron Young, but Devin Roche is "shifty" personified. He averaged 6.2 yards a carry last year. If the offensive line, led by the versatile Zach Barlev, can keep Joseph upright, this offense is going to be a problem for the Sun Belt.
What to Watch For
The defense is where the question marks are. We lost some serious production in the secondary, and playing teams like Indiana and Virginia Tech early will expose any cracks. If the Monarchs can survive September with a 2-2 record, they are in a prime position to make a run.
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Honestly, the odu football schedule 2025 is designed for a team that wants to prove it belongs. It’s not a "fluff" schedule. It’s a statement.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Lock in Season Tickets: S.B. Ballard Stadium only holds about 21,944. With Liberty and App State coming to town, those seats will disappear fast.
- Travel Planning: If you're heading to Blacksburg (Sept 13) or Harrisonburg (Oct 18), book your hotels now. Those towns fill up months in advance for rivalry games.
- Monitor the Portal: Keep an eye on the spring transfer window; Rahne usually grabs a veteran linebacker or safety to plug gaps before fall camp.