JMU Faces Off Against Liberty
Well folks it’s time for the Dukes to clash with the Liberty Flames. Admittedly, I didn’t know too much about the Liberty football program or the school itself before last year’s game. I did a little poking around online though and Liberty seems like a neat place full of incredibly nice people. Incredibly nice people who thought Kevin Bacon played a bad guy in Footloose, but nice people nonetheless. And while the Flame fans who visited JMUSB last season or chimed in about us on Twitter were completely devoid of anything even resembling a sense of humor and collectively had the thinnest skin of any group of fans I’ve ever encountered, let’s assume they were outliers. In any case, this is a huge game for Liberty and for JMU. The Flames will have the luxury of playing it at home in front of what is expected to be a record crowd. And it’s a night game so the Liberty fans will have all day to tailgate and stay extra sober.
Striking Similarities
JMU and Liberty are both 1-1, after each losing to an ACC opponent on the road, and defeating an NEC opponent at home. Liberty lost to NC State 43-21 and then cruised to a 38-7 win over Robert Morris. The Dukes as you know, lost 42-10 to UNC before opening Bridgeforth with a 14-9 win over CCSU. As a result, JMU is currently ranked 14th and Liberty 19th in the FCS Coaches Poll. Yes, the poll is worthless and illogical.
A Clash of Styles
Liberty has a high powered offense led by Mike Brown, a talented dual threat QB. They’re very tough to beat in Lynchburg and are currently riding a 9 game home winning streak. During the winning streak, they’ve averaged almost 50 points a game. Yes, 50. The Flames defense has been better than expected, but this is an offensive football team. JMU is all about defense however. And the Dukes defense was able to shut down Liberty last year, holding them to just 3 points. The offense ran all over CCSU last weekend, but struggled passing and couldn’t hold onto the ball. As a result, JMU still caries the stigma of “All D, No O” into this game.
How Liberty Can Win
By striking quickly and forcing the Dukes to pass. No matter if you believe Justin Thorpe just had an off day last Saturday or if you think he’s terrible, the fact is he has yet to prove himself as a passer. Liberty’s best chance to win might be to jump out to a lead and force the Dukes to play catch up by airing it out.
How JMU Can Win
By shutting down Mike Brown and eliminating the turnovers. I know everyone is anxious for the Dukes to show some explosiveness on offense. The fact is they can win this game just like they won last year’s 10-3 slugfest (as boring as it might have been), by clamping down on D and scoring just enough.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
As we all know, beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. We’re sticking close to that theme this week and choosing Chimay Blanche as our BOTW. One of my all time favorites, this Belgian tripel is brewed by Trappist monks in Scourmont Abbey. It’s a good crisp beer and since it’s brewed by men of the cloth, it’s almost like you’ll be praying for a Dukes win by drinking it.
JMUSB Prediction
I’m not going to lie, I’ve got a bad, bad feeling about this one. Despite the fact that Flame fans will say it’s disrespecting their program by claiming that a win Saturday would be a signature moment for the program, it’s true. It would. Get over it. This is the game they’ve had circled on the calendar since last year and it’s their seniors last chance to beat JMU or any team from a top FCS conference. The Dukes have been searching for an offensive identity since 2008 and I don’t think they’ll find it Saturday. My heart says Dukes 24-10. My head says Liberty 17 – JMU 6. Pull for the heart.
Rob – right there with you on the prediction. My heart is always with the Dukes but my head just says this is going to be a loss. The law of averages etc are against us in this one. We haven’t lost to Liberty in a while, plus as you said this is a home game for them in front of a big crowd (one of the bigger ones in FCS) and they barely lost to us last year and they want revenge/wrath (or some non- 7 Deadly Sin version of revenge). Plus our defense line is going to be down 2 starters, which was the side of the ball that we are pinning our hopes to to win. And the poll is against us, we shouldn’t be ahead of them and now they get the added bonus of being an “underdog” as if the other factors weren’t enough motivation. My prediction is actually worse though – Hell 21, Dukes 10
I’m with all of the predictions here. I do not feel good about this one. If I remember correctly, I think they have some stud receiver that is NFL potential. Also, this game is on ESPN3. Upgrade your internet service, as this is a great way to watch a game. Just hope it’s HD also. As for Liberty, I have no problem with their school, their values, etc. What I do have a problem with is when they try to push it on me. I like beer, deal with it. Beer and football is even better. Losing to someone sober is just an awful experience I hope doesn’t happen.
Glad to see you didn’t shy away from making fun of Liberty fans after last year’s comments from them! “As we all know, beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy”–my favorite quote of late!
I would love a win today, but all we can really think about here in Norfolk is beating ODU…getting nervous!
So if they’re the Flames, a singular player would be a “Flamer”. Not sure if the Reverend would have approved….
@Megan- I’m right there with you. I want to humiliate ODU.