The Official JMUSB Dukes Football Preview
Well boys and girls, we’re legitimately close enough that we can talk in terms of hours until the JMU Dukes officially start the season. That means JMUSB owes you a preview. We’re also trying something a little different. I’m writing half of it and then handing it off to Todd for him to carry home as he sees fit. Enjoy it everyone!
It’s Not Rebuilding, It’s Transitioning
Get up Ronnell Brown! JMU needs lots of plays that lead to this!
The Dukes had a team for the ages in 2008, but they decided to cough up the ball at the most inopportune time and crashed out in the semi-finals. The one high point from that season ending loss was the play of back-up QB Drew Dudzik, who came on in relief of an injured Rodney Landers. Everyone thought he’d be “the guy” in 2009, but that’s not how it played out. It was more like a QB controversy, settled by Drew’s injury, which lead to despair, before the Dukes closed the season strong to finish 6-5. (Ed. Note – We still have no idea what the controversy was. We love Mickey, but seriously? You really thought Justin was better? Seriously?) Lost in all that, was the fact that Justin Thorpe actually played well for a first year QB and won CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year. Still though, 2009 felt more like a pause, than an actual season. So, here we are. The 2010 team is not rebuilding per se, but we still don’t know what to expect. Lots of new faces being led by the QB most fans thought should have been the clear #1 last season. Plus the team is playing it’s home games in the nicest half-stadium I’ve ever seen, since construction is half-way done on the new Bridgeforth. So yeah, it’s a team in transition.
What We’re Most Excited About
Where do we begin? Is it the giant leap forward JMU is taking with facilities and the new half-stadium? Is it Dudzik being given the reigns? Is it the chance to see a seriously dangerous WR core? Having a team store in-stadium for halftime karma changes and terrible impulse buys? Is it simply the chance to get back to the ‘burg and tailgate? I’m not sure. There is a lot to be excited about with the JMU program. The banged up offensive-line is not one of those things.
What We’re Most Concerned About
O-Line Health – The boys up front simply got to protect Drew if MM stands any chance of actually delivering on his annual promise to throw more.
Thorpe’s psyche – Dukes are gonna need him at some point. Should get a chance to see how he’s handling things in each of the first two games.
Pressure on the QB – On defense, the Dukes have a ton of talent returning in the back seven but they’re going to need big things from Ronnell Brown and DJ Bryant up front. Both of them have shown flashes, but in FCS pressure is everything and it will be tough to replace the Moats/Daniels combo.
Fan Apathy: Last year was really the first year that developed a negative vibe for a while since ’04, economy’s in the crapper, and everyone knows next year is the big Bridgeforth year. A respectable performance at VT followed by big home wins over Liberty and Delaware early would go a long way towards avoiding the mid-season duldrums from ’09.
JMUSB Question of the Year: Can the Dukes stay alive in the playoff race long enough to force Rob and I to further discuss our plan to make the roadie to Maine the week before Thanksgiving?
Official JMUSB 2010 Prediction: Keeping in mind that we have far less ability to even reasonably guess this one than any of our previous CAA prognostications, we’re going with an optimistic 8-3. Optimistic because we came down somewhere around 7 or 8 wins and of course we’re taking the better of those options. After the first two weeks, every game “could” go either way, but we’re thinking Dudzik and Brown take over the program leadership roles and keep this team in the hunt all year. Plus we both think Delaware and UNH are overrated. Fourth in the CAA gets in with 20 teams in the playoffs, fifth will be reallllly tough, so that will be the question all year.
