JMU vs. Akron Preview

The Dukes put one in the win column last weekend. This Saturday they’ll try to get to 2-0 by defeating their lone FBS opponent of the season, the Akron University Zips. Time for some MACtion.

Just the Facts

Match-up: JMU Dukes (1-0) vs. Akron Zips (0-1)

Kickoff: 6:00 PM

Weather: Highs in 70s. Cloudy with a 10% chance of rain.

Viewing Options: Streaming via ESPN3

How We Got Here

The Dukes got the season started off with a 38-14 win over Central Connecticut State last week. It was a lopsided victory with plenty of bright spots for the Dukes. Sophomore QB Michael Birdsong displayed a strong command of the new offense on a few scoring drives. Dae’Quan Scott took a punt to the house and the defense was effective in shutting down the run. It was far from a perfect outing however and closer that most fans wanted it to be in the first half.

Akron’s 2013 season picked up right where its 2012 season left off, with a lopsided loss. Akron rallied late to get in the endzone and avoid the shutout. The 38-7 loss to Central Florida did little to convince Zips fans that their team is ready to drastically improve on last year’s 1-11 record though. But at least they didn’t get shut out, right?

About This FCS vs FBS Thing

This is a weird game for the Dukes. As an FCS team playing an FBS opponent, they should be considered underdogs. Yes, by any objective standard Akron appears to be a pretty terrible FBS team. They’ve got the same number of wins over FBS schools since 2010 that JMU does. But more often than not even weak FBS teams beat FCS squads. Last weekend was a record setting one for FCS teams and the subdivision still posted a 8-22 record against FBS foes. Despite all that, it’s probably fair to say that a significant portion of the JMU fanbase expects a win and will be extremely disappointed if the Dukes leave Akron at .500. And if JMU hopes to return to its spot as an FCS contender, that’s completely fair.

How the Dukes Can Win

Quite frankly, by playing better than they did last week. JMU did blow CCSU out. However, they were inconsistent on offense, turned the ball over, and even failed to punch it in the end zone on a drive starting inside the Blue Devils 5-yard line. And let’s not even talk about the lack of a pass rush. But JMU doesn’t need to play a perfect ball game to win Saturday. They just need to play a fundamentally sound one and tighten up the pass defense.

Zips coach Terry Bowden needs a convincing win to give his team some confidence (and prevent the fans from jumping ship for Akron’s soccer program). To do that, he’d love to air it out and try to take advantage of the Dukes soft zone. The Dukes need to pressure QB Kyle Prohl and force him to settle for check downs. Last week he hit on 17 of 22 attempts, but only threw for 100 yards. If JMU gets to him early and keeps him on his heels, they should be able to win. Offensively, they just need to mix-it up and keep the Zips guessing. Falling into the “run to set up the run” patterns of the past will be a recipe for a big loss. The offensive lineman will have their work cut out of them keeping the dangerous Nico Caponi away from Birdsong. If they give the Ginga Giant time and open up some holes for DQ, then everything else should take care of itself.

How the Zips Can Win

Akron needs to do to JMU what UCF did to them last weekend. Score out of the gate, get some confidence, and never look back. While not a “must win”, this game and the UMass game, are the two that the Zips have had circled as “can win” since the schedule was posted. They’ve finished 1-11 for 3 straight seasons. It’s easy to imagine that if JMU gets a lead or the game stays close, the Zips confidence will probably suffer.

While Akron doesn’t have a lot of experience winning football games, they do have the typical size advantage over FCS teams. And they’ve got the extra scholarships and the depth that they bring. The Zips are bigger in the trenches and have a number of talented running backs. Tailback Jawon Chisolm had a rough outing last week, but averaged greater than 5 yards a carry last year. If Akron can clear some holes for him early, it will open up the play-action passing attack. Score a few quick ones and then just wear the Dukes out with their size and depth. That’s the recipe for the Zips.

About Akron

Ohio is one of those states that is unfairly treated as a punching back by many people on the East Coast. I don’t know why. Like most people, I have a natural aversion to Ohio State football. Truthfully, I’ve got nothing against the state of Ohio or the city of Akron. Of course I’m working with a knowledge base that largely consists of things I picked up from listing to My City Was Gone. But any city that spawned the Black Keys is alright in my book.

Others might disagree. Like this guy Taylor V. who reviewed the University on Yelp for instance. (ed. note – Did you know there are school reviews on Yelp? I didn’t. I thought it was just an old website where bored white people offered their opinions on food in the days before Instagram was invented and they could post pictures of it instead.) Where was I? Oh yeah, Taylor V. probably won’t be an Akron student ambassador or running for Akron city council anytime soon. I guess limited parking and the threat of having your pizza stolen at gunpoint gets to some people more than others.

JMUSB Beer of the Week

Come to think of it, I actually do know a fair number of people from Ohio. Generally speaking, they’re all pretty great. And one thing they almost all have in common is the tremendous pride they have for the Cleveland Browns and Great Lakes Brewing. It only makes sense to take pride in one of those things (hint, it’s not the Browns). So this week, let’s tip our hats to the Dukes’ hosts and all of the fine people in the Greater Cleveland area, by enjoying a few glasses of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. Roasty with just the right hint of bitterness, it’s a great beer for a cool September evening.

JMUSB Prediction

Dukes win 27-16. No real logic. I’m just rootin fer Dukes.

Photo courtesy of epicsnapshots.com. Again. What can we say? It’s a great site.