2019 JMUSB Game Preview #9: Towson at JMU
The Basics
Matchup: #16 Towson (4-3, 1-2 CAA) at #2 JMU Dukes (7-1, 4-0 CAA)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA
Weather: Cloudy, High 63, but should be dry. 30% chance of showers in the morning but really looking like a shot at getting this played in decent conditions
Broadcast: MadiZone and MASN2 (hallelujah!); and yes, that’s MASN2, not MASN as you may have heard earlier because of Nats World Series Coverage (Let’s Go Nats! Sorry Rob)
Boys in the Desert: JMU -16.5, O/U 58.5, ML -975
A Bit About Towson State
Towson University used to be Towson State University. And they’re even more sensitive about being called “Towson St.” than Elon is about being the Fightin’ Christians. They are still quarterbacked by Tom Flacco. As opposed to his older brother, he is considered “elite,” at least by CAA standards. Their second best player, Shane Simpson, an all-around badass RB/WR/KR is out for the season, but WR Shane Leatherbury is still around to threaten defenses catching balls from Flacco. He caught five TD’s last week over Bucknell. He and Rashad Robinson will have a great opportunity to put something on film for NFL scouts as they matchup in what should be a classic.
How the Tigers Can Win
Turn the Dukes Over. Same as we said for the Tribe last week. Towson will score in this game. But if the Dukes don’t put the ball on the ground, JMU will score too against a defense that has – even charitably – been suspect against decent teams. And the Dukes are better than decent when they aren’t turning the ball over (see every game except WVU and Stony Brook).
But big plays, on specials or in the turnover department, combined with anything that gives Flacco a short field, would go a long way towards Towson having a chance here.
How the Dukes Can Win
Grind and focus. Whatever they found on D in the fourth quarter of the Villanova game two weeks ago sure carried over against William & Mary’s No-Go offense last week, and they’ve got to just continue that effort against a more explosive, more talented Tigers team. This is JMU’s ninth straight game and the bye will be very welcome next week, but the fellas need to grind out this last one to fully enjoy the healing powers of some downtime.
The Dukes are stronger, faster, and just plain better at most spots on the field. Towson was high-flying last year before the Dukes mostly made them look like the average team they ended up being in the playoffs. Flacco will get his, but if the Dukes can avoid turning the ball over, JMU should score at will and control this thing.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
Pale Fire Arrant IPA. It’s Homecoming. We couldn’t pull off a live show this year, but go out downtown and visit our friends. And while you’re there, throw back a couple of these bad boys.
Official JMUSB Prediction
Dukes 42, Towson 17
