TV Schedule Announced, Caussin Signs with Skins

Aug 30 at Maryland 3:30pm Big 10 Network
Sept 6 at Lehigh 12:30pm
Sept 13 St. Francis, likely Madizone
Sept 20 at Villanova 12:30pm CSN
Sept 27 Delaware 4pm CSN
Oct 4 at Albany 6pm
Oct 11 Towson 12:30pm CSN
Oct 25 at Charlotte 12pm
Nov 1 William & Mary 3:30pm American Sports Network
Nov 8 at Stony Brook 1pm
Nov 15 at Richmond 12:30pm NBS Sports Network
Nov 22 Elon 12pm American Sports Network

We know some folks like the return to earlier kickoffs, but call us disappointed as we thought we’d put those amateur-hour days behind us. At least it’s not entirely JMU’s fault this year as the Towson game was expected for Parent’s Weekend and the Elon game is likely early for TV. What remains to be seen is whether the fledgling ASN will actually be available on most cable systems by the time the season kicks off (though thankfully the Dukes don’t play on there till November). Tough to complain about ASN when CUSA is on there too, but it’s going to eat ass that the Nova/DC market (Cox, Comcast) appear highly unlikely to carry that at all. No home NBCSN games kind of stinks but a 6-6 team with a new coach has to earn their way back to prominence.  Games that scare us are Lehigh, though I think they’ll at least offer a stream, but even moreso Albany and Stony Brook, our new conference mates who may still be behind the times (think URI) on the streaming services. Charlotte, now in CUSA, is likely to find a way to get that tilt picked up regionally, and thus likely to be available on satellite packages/bars (for that matter, we’ll be taking the JMUSB tailgate show on the road for that one and hopefully lots of folks can join us!)

By the way, that Lehigh game will be ENORMOUS from a “having a season standpoint.” They’re always tough at home and usually in playoff contention even from the weak Patriot League. Coming home at 0-2 for an opponent in STFU that only Jeff Bourne and Mickey could even pretend to give to shits about is no way to stir excitement for the new regime, especially with a trip to Villanova and UD looming to start conference play.

In other news, I’m delighted (though Rob’s certainly not) to note that former Dukes Tight End Mike Caussin was signed by the Skins today after they cut another player to make room. Caussin was a true stud on the last relevant Dukes teams and has battled injury during his time in Buffalo, but seems to be a solid guy who’s certainly never given up or ceased to work his ass off to get back. He’ll have stiff competition to make the roster in Washington, but as a capable special teamer and basically the fourth TE with the top two firmly entrenched, he should get a great chance to play a ton in the preseason. He’ll also be joining fellow Duke LB Akeem Jordan in Washington and now I’ll have to put some extra thought into my new jersey selection.