Dukes Get Four National TV Games This Fall
Three of the five CAA games in the national NBCSN package this fall will feature the Dukes! (Of course picture on JMU Sports’ announcement only highlights the fact ODU will be nationally televised damned near every game). And the Akron game to open the season will be available nationally on ESPN3, which is also good news because it will make viewing parties for the opener, and a second FBS upset, a great possibility throughout JMU Nation. The other good news, at least for season ticket holders, is that two of the three NBCSN games are away, including the game at New Hampshire, which has frequently been an important game saddled with near tv/web blackout. The big game at Towson will also be televised, but we’re hoping to renew what used to be a good DC-alumni tradition by making the quick trip to the CAA’s only other truly pro-tailgate venue! (pro-tip: Towson usually allows charcoal grills with a call-ahead permit)
Also, tough for us to be upset with this schedule in any way given that JMU had the most NBCSN appearances of anyone in the CAA despite entering the season unranked and completely unknown after another mediocre year while teams like Towson, Villanova, and Stony Brook will be trendy picks nationally for big things this year.
Lastly, the Richmond game Columbus Day weekend will be Bridgeforth’s only chance to shine on the national stage (personal note I kind of love this because Columbus Day is frequent no-show for me based on other obligations and it’s nice to know I should be able to catch that game wherever that weekend takes me).
As we’ve seen the last couple of years, it’s also likely at least two or three more games will be picked up regionally in addition to the national broadcasts. For those that aren’t picked up, we are more than a little skeptical that “CAA.TV” will be picking up the others for “out of market” audiences as opposed to the high quality MadiZone productions we saw last year. (But really, why would anyone doubt that the CAA is ahead of the curve on anything?!) Finally, the crappy, no-good, rotten games against CCSU and St. Francis early in the season will at least likely be MadiZone productions because no matter how big of a fan you are, it’s nearly impossible to justify attending BOTH of those stinkers. (one would be fine, but the second is painful).
So is Madizone still doing all the home games? I don’t have NBCSN so I rely on Madizone and ESPN3. A few teams have a similar online thing like Madizone but its terrible (I’m looking at you Richmond). So with the CAA TV would every game be online and free?
IMO it’s easy to justify attending any game, because tailgating and seeing friends and being at JMU make it pretty darn well worth it. my 2 cents.
3 games on NBC Sports is great. Even better that two of those are road games. I would rather the road games be televised as I will be at the home games already.
What is up with New Hampshire and those Noon & 12:30 kickoffs?
Right now, ODU only has three games list as TV games. Two on Fox College Sports and one on ESPN3. This is one LESS national TV game than JMU has.
If you are going to take be glib as least be factual.
I’m right there with you Shady_P. I like the fact that 2 road games are televised. I’m not sure why UNH always seems to have the early kickoffs, but it might end up being a blessing in disguise. Playing a November game up there later in the day when it was getting dark and cold could be brutal.
I think CAA is only streaming the games that are already being televised either nationally or regionally. And I think there are blackout restrictions for local markets. It still is a pretty good option for CAA fans living out of market.
Well I googled Cowell Stadium in NH and answered my question. They have to play home Noon-1pm games b/c they don’t have freaking lights at that shit-hole. Plus they still have the savvy track surrounding the football field. This field looks right on par with Rhode Island.
Oh jeez. I knew it had a very high school stadium look, but I didn’t realize it had no lights. It’s still great to have road games televised, but there’s no doubting that Bridgeforth presents a better product on tv.
Seriously… UNH has the worst stadium and facilities I have ever played in. That includes high school.