The Charlotte 49ers (2-3) and the Old Dominion Monarchs (2-3) exit bye weeks with an eye on reaching the .500 mark. Check out the Charlotte vs. Old Dominion prediction and game preview.

Charlotte vs. Old Dominion Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: S.B. Ballard Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia
Network: American Sports Network

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Why You Need To Care

Charlotte and Old Dominion, two of the newer FBS members, are poised to kick off a series that could bloom into a Mid-Atlantic rivalry. The schools are from bordering states, which means they recruit many of the same ACC leftovers. The 49ers and Monarchs are also searching for midseason momentum, having lost three in a row before reaching a bye week.

Why Charlotte Will Win

Yeah, the 49ers are laboring on offense, scoring just 24 points over the last three games. Fortunately, the Monarchs have been equally inept, producing only 21 points during their losing streak. Charlotte RB Kalif Phillips has gone over 100 yards in each of the last two games, while NT Larry Ogunjobi has been an all-league-caliber run-stuffer.

Why Old Dominion Will Win

In a game light on star power, the Monarchs will have the best player at Ballard Stadium Saturday. RB Ray Lawry leads Conference USA in rushing with 635 yards and seven touchdowns on 107 carries. And with a chance to face a soft D for the first time in a month, he could return to his 200-yard form.

Player Who Matters

Which team gets something—anything—from the quarterbacks in Norfolk? Both schools have been feeble in the passing game. ODU rookie Shuler Bentley is completing just 50% of his passes, while the Charlotte collaboration of Matt Johnson and Lee McNeill has thrown 12 interceptions.

What’s Going To Happen?

In a matchup of neophyte Conference USA programs, Lawry is set to carry Old Dominion on his back if necessary. Without a lot of help from Bentley, he’ll singlehandedly gash the Charlotte D for 175 yards and a pair of decisive scores.

Charlotte vs. Old Dominion Prediction

Final Score: Old Dominion 28, Charlotte 17, Line: Old Dominion -7, o/u: 48
Must See Rating: 5: Trojan War, 1: The Muppets … 1

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