The JMU Dukes Head to Delaware

The early season out of conference schedule is complete and things are about to get real. The Dukes open up CAA play this weekend with a Saturday night game against their old pal Delaware. Needless to say, a road win would be a terrific way to start of league play.

The Skinny

Matchup: JMU Dukes (3-1) vs. Delaware Blue Hens (3-1)

Location: Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware

Kickoff: 7:00 on Saturday, September 28

Viewing Options: Comcast SportsNet Washington

So We Meet Again

JMU and Delaware have a long history on the football field. The teams have been conference mates going back to the Yankee Conference days and have met 20 times. Due to the ever shifting makeup of the CAA, JMU and UD haven’t gotten together since 2010. But the wait is over and they’ll finally clash again this weekend. And that is definitely a good thing. Because as much as JMU fans might poke fun at Delaware, it’s a program that JMU has a lot in common with. Both have won national championships, play in some of the largest FCS stadiums, and have support that far exceeds many conference peers. And Delaware has riots too. So there’s that.

Key Match-Up #1 – Michael Johnson vs. JMU Secondary

The Blue Hens junior wide receiver heads into Saturday’s game red hot. He’s the reigning CAA Offensive Player of the Week after an outstanding 168 yard, 3 touchdown performance against Wagner. It was Johnson’s third 100 yard receiving game this season. He’s averaging 21 yards a catch, which means he can stretch the field. The JMU defense as you know, has been susceptible to big passing plays this year. Giving up big plays to a guy like Johnson could be a recipe for disaster. JMU needs to contain him and put pressure on QB Trent Hurley. Hurley has been the CAA’s most efficient passer thus far, completing 72% for 10 TDs. He and Johnson make a scary tandem that could present a real challenge for the Dukes.

Key Match-Up #2 – JMU vs. the Football

Four games into the 2013 season and it’s tough to figure out this JMU team. One thing is certain though, the Dukes cannot continue to turn the ball over as much as they have thus far. JMU has turned it over 13 times already this season. We might be able to write off some of the fumbles as simply being due to an injured thumb or wet footballs, but they can’t continue. At least not if the Dukes expect to win a lot of football games.

Key Match-Up #3 – Delaware Fans vs. Bedtime

Much has been made about the atmosphere in Delaware Stadium. It’s very big by FCS standards and will be filled with 20,000+ Blue Hen fans. But the homefield advantage might be neutralized somewhat due to the fact that the game has a 7:00 kick-off and many of Delaware’s old ass fans will need to go to bed before half-time. Seriously, Delaware fans are old. Not old like me and Todd old. Old like creamed corn, Geritol, and telling stories about going to the “movie pictures” for a nickel old. Most of them won’t be able to stay up past 8:00. And the ones that can, will probably prefer to head home and watch Matlock rather than stick around for the end of the game. Advantage, Dukes.

Football Cliche That Is Most Appropriate For Saturday

Let’s go with “whichever team controls the line of scrimmage will win”. This is one of those throwaway statements made by idiots who have limited knowledge of the game of football in an attempt to sound at least marginally competent when discussing a match-up. In short, it’s something that I’d say. It might actually be true for Saturday though.

JMU’s pass rush has been awesome the past few weeks. After a slow opener, the Dukes have been getting to the QB consistently for the past 3 games. JMU has 14 sacks on the year. The Delaware offensive line on the other hand, has only surrendered 3 sacks. It’s going to be a great match-up. If the Dukes can overcome the loss of injured Sage Harold, shut down the running lanes and get to the QB, I like their chances. If the UD o-line opens up holes for Andrew Pierce and gives Hurley time to throw, it could be trouble.

The same principle is true for the Dukes o-line. If they’re clearing space for Dae’Quann Scott (and Dejor Simmons and Khalid Abdullah), and protecting Michael Birdsong, the offense will have no problems. If Birdsong gets time, expect him to have a big game. Delaware’s pass defense has been suspect this year. They limited Wagner to 148 yards throwing, but gave up 261 and 341 to Jacksonville and Delaware State respectively. Navy even threw for 237 and the Midshipmen offense features the pass so rarely it makes a Mickey Matthews offense look like the Ram’s Greatest Show on Turf.

JMUSB Beer of the Week

We’ve made our feelings know about the scourge to the craft beer world knows as pumpkin beer. We hate it. But many people have been pushing back and singing the praises of these awful concoctions. And while dining with some good friends last night (after taking 3rd place in JMU trivia btw..we nailed all the sports questions) we got to discussing beer. Our buddy who also hates pumpkin beer (smart guy), was recently told that the best way to drink them is as part of a mix. He was specifically advised to mix Dogfish Head Punkin with Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. We love 60 Minute, so we’ll go ahead and appease the pumpkin beer masses by making the 60 Minute-Punkin mix our beer of the week. But you must follow the recipe exactly. First fill a glass about halfway with Punkin Ale. Now throw that glass, the bottle, and all of the other pumpkin beer you can find in the trash. Fill a new glass with 60 Minute. Drink. Enjoy. Pumpkin beer is gross.

JMUSB Official Prediction

JMU 27 – Blue Chickens 14. Birdsong and the offense goes nuts. D-line gets to Hurley. Dean Marlowe leads the secondary to its strongest performance of the season. We all root fer Dukes.