| MATCHUP | Norfolk State Spartans | Old Dominion Monarchs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Where | Old Dominion Stadium | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Old Dominion Preview
Old Dominion finished last season with a 10-3 overall record, a 6-2 conference record, and placed 2nd in the Sun Belt Conference (East Division). They had a 6-0 home record and a 3-3 road record. Offensively, the Monarchs scored 32 points per game (ranking 29th in the nation). Defensively, Old Dominion allowed 18.5 points per game (ranking 14th in the nation). They averaged 454.7 total yards per game (238.3 rushing, 216.4 passing) and gave up 331.5 total yards per game (140.1 rushing, 191.5 passing).
Colton Joseph led the Monarchs with 173/290 completed passes and 2,624 total passing yards, throwing 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Trequan Jones led the team in rushing yards with 792, adding a team-high 6 rushing touchdowns, while Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding had a team-high 51 caught passes for 667 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Mario Easterly led the team with 78 total tackles (23 solo), while Jeremy Mack led Old Dominion in sacks with 5.5.
Norfolk State Preview
The Norfolk State Spartans are coming off a 56-0 home victory over the Winston-Salem State, where they outgained their opponents 457-106 yards and had 69 total plays. Norfolk State had 151 passing yards, 306 rushing yards, and 17/26 completed passes and were 7/9 on third down conversions.
Deljay Bailey led Norfolk State with 13/20 passes and 119 passing yards with 3 touchdowns. Jalyn Daniels had a team-high 104 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Elyjah Mitchell caught 5 passes for a team-high 50 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Maurice Odom led the Spartans with 9 total tackles, 8 of them solo, while BJ Blake had one sack.
Norfolk State Spartans @ Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Old Dominion Monarchs will win
- Old Dominion has won each of its last six games.
- Old Dominion has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
- Old Dominion has won the first quarter in six of its last seven games.
- Old Dominion has won the first half in each of its last four games in September.
Why the Norfolk State Spartans will win
- Old Dominion has lost nine of its last 11 games against teams from Virginia.
- Old Dominion has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five home games against teams from Virginia.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Old Dominion’s last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Old Dominion Monarchs Player Prop Facts
- Devin Roche ranked 1st in the Sun Belt Conference for punt return yards (265) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Old Dominion ranked 2nd among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against last season (27.6).
- Old Dominion ranked 5th among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters last season (+6.5).
Norfolk State vs Old Dominion Prediction
In this Norfolk State vs Old Dominion Prediction, Old Dominion is coming as -40.5 home favorites. Norfolk State is coming off a horrible season in the FCS with a 1-11 record, where they allowed 35.6 points per game and had an almost -15 point differential. They will face an Old Dominion squad that was undefeated at home last season and combined a top-15 defense with a top-30 offense for a solid +13.5 point differential. I like Old Dominion to dominate this game at home and cover the -40.5 points.