Jul 24 / Rob

Dukes Picked to Finish 8th in CAA Preseason Poll

Dean Marlow vs URIt’s a year of change for the JMU football program. A new coaching staff, new starting QB, multiple new skill players, and revamped philosophies on both sides of the ball. Apparently that all adds up to low expectations for the voters in the CAA Preseason Poll, who picked the Dukes to finish eight in the league. The results of the poll and the All CAA teams were revealed at CAA Media Day yesterday. Only Rhode Island, Albany, Stony Brook, and the league’s newest entrant, Elon, were picked to finish below the Dukes. New Hampshire was the runaway favorite and preseason pick to win the league with 15 first place votes. Villanova, Richmond, and William & Mary also received first place votes. Senior Safety Dean Marlowe was selected to the CAA Preseason All Conference Team. He was the only Duke honored.

Just two quick comments about this. First of all, we’ve made it pretty clear in the past that this preseason polls and honors are virtually worthless. They’re a total crapshoot and for evidence all you need to do is look back at a number of very mediocre JMU teams that were picked to contend for the conference title. Second of all, it’s the oldest cliche in the book, but the “nobody believes in us” strategy still seems to be pretty effective. Playing with a bit of a chip on your shoulder is never a bad thing. The Dukes will have the opportunity to do just that in 2014.

 

5 Comments

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  1. JeffClark'98 / Jul 24 2014

    Interesting that they were picked to finish so low, yet still got 1 first place vote.
    Wonder who the lone wolf was?

  2. zac / Jul 24 2014

    This is great for us. Let’s get real motivated.

  3. cbjmuinatl / Jul 25 2014

    This team is going to be way better than alot of people percieve them currently. Not concerned about the low pre-season ranking as mostly the result of so many “unknowns”…..new coaching staff, transfers, etc. Rascati was a transfer from a 1-A and JMU was not ranked nationally in the pre-season polls in 2004. I have that kind of feeling about this team. Maybe not National Championship caliber, but playoff caliber.

  4. 2004Duke / Jul 29 2014

    This is silly. Based on the “Crappy-Appy Principle”, one good player at the FCS level can carry the whole team to the national title. With Lee joining the team, I don’t see how finishing 8th in a crappy has-been FCS conference is even possible.

  5. Perry Singer / Aug 14 2014

    I agree that the polls are worthless. We have to give a chance to the new skill players to show their kicks. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt though.

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