The Dukes Host the Blue Chickens

HUGE game this week!  Seems like we say that every week, but this one kind of snuck up on us.  Basically the high of VT and the helmetfest we had preplanned for Liberty weekend combined with an entire offseason of selling Delaware short, had us never considering the possibility of a Top 5 FCS matchup in the ‘Burg for the dreaded (by the home team that is) Parents Weekend crowd.  But after the Blue Hens dismantled (actually just snuck in two late TD’s against an overrated squad) the Richmond Ticks last weekend, they come swaggering in with their standard FBS transfer QB ranked #5 to take on the #3 ranked Dukes.

And people give us a hard time for "Dukes"?!

The Basics: As you know from our classic preseason preview of the Chickens, we think UD is a lot more hype than reality and we’re not backing down now!  They have a highly-rated transfer QB Pat Devlin from Penn St. and a freshman RB who’s been making a ton of noise early, not to mention a Defense their devoted fanbase swears is top-notch.  But they’ve also played a schedule that would make even the most notorious early-season creampuff devotees (Jim Boeheim, Bob Stoops, etc.) blush.  Chickens fans even rationalize their annual date with D2 West Chester as a rivalry. Needless to say, they haven’t seen DJ Bryant, Ronnell Brown, and the Williams boys in their backfield yet.  Plus even a tame Parent’s Weekend crowd will provide a test since this is their first road game this year (yes, that’s another cheapshot at UR’s brand new high school stadium for those not quite as obsessed with CAA happenings).

JMUSB Beer of the Week: Dogfish Head Bitch’s Brew.  Easy to forget there’s one great thing from Delaware: Dogfish Head!  Tough to find, but if you’re going to fire the crockpot up at 9 a.m., you might as well go all out for the “perfect chili beer”!

Around the CAA: Big Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket up north b/t UNH and Maine.  Also Villanova makes their first trip south of the year to take on the Griffins in Williamsburg (special note: in some areas this game follow’s JMU/UD on ComcastSportsNet).

Field Hockey Update and Announcement: The girls are rolling now with a three game win-streak and home games bracketing the football game on Friday night and Sunday this weekend.  Also, huge news here at JMUSB as we scored an interview with Head Coach Lucas this week.  We’re saving it for mid-week next week but trust us, you won’t want to miss this!

Viewing Locations:  Check www.jmusports.com for more info, but JMU Nation is starting to catch on that this is a damn good time!  I met the Chicago organizers at last week’s game and they are so excited to be hosting these games.  I’ll be at Bailey’s in Ballston with my Old Guys Leave tee bright and early Saturday and there’s a free bigassed beer for the first person I don’t know to mention the blog (I’m looking at you JMU Rugby).

Tailgating Update: Though I must confess I won’t be in Bridgeforth this weekend, last weekend’s tailgating scene was an enormous upgrade over Morehead St.  Law enforcement presence was back to normal and everyone had a good time.  Well played, Dr. Rose.

For discussion during the game: App. St. and Montana are both seriously considering potential moves to FBS as of tonight.  Tons more to come on this, but time to start making our voices heard the way we did on the tailgating front.

Quote from Delaware WR Nihja White (#19) that explains everything you need to know about Delaware without further explanation (from www.delawareonline.com) :  

“It’s fun to play the No. 3 team and hopefully go down there and whoop on them the way we did Richmond,” White said. “I love going against the best players. They talk a lot of trash. I love it. I don’t say anything.”

Official JMUSB Prediction: Dukes 28, Chickens 17   In all seriousness, Delaware has looked impressive through their first four and this should be a great game.  Given the Dukes pattern, wouldn’t be surprised to see UD score early, but the defense will buckle down and the Dukes will get fed up listening to the constant yak from the BlueHens.  Not to mention having KC Keeler on the other sideline is worth at least four points, for the Dukes that is.