Game Preview: JMU @ Villanova

The Facts

Match-up: JMU Dukes (2-1, 0-0 CAA) at Villanova Wildcats (1-1, 0-0 CAA)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. – Radnor, PA

Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 77 with 10% of showers

Broadcast: This one’s on Comcast SportsNet and it appears to have been picked up regionally by CSN-Philly, CSN-Mid-Atlantic, CSN-Chicago, SNYHD, and maybe even a couple more, at least on DirecTV and Dish, so you should be able to find it at any reputable, or preferably disreputable, watering hole. In other areas, the game is also being streamed on CAA.TV. Basically, unless you’re cheap or new to an idiot, you should be able to figure out a way to watch this one. But don’t worry, we’ll still answer coverage questions on Twitter twenty minutes after kickoff with the same kindly patience and complete lack of frustration we all show our parents when they get a new iPhone.

Mrs. JMUSB, and noted Villanova alum, got this picture included for agreeing to let me abandon all domestic responsibility in order to do this preview.

The Basics

The Dukes are 18 point underdogs in this one and that’s probably understandable even though they knocked off Villanova last year. The ‘Cats are led by do-everything QB John Robertson, a player who has been their version of Rodney Landers for years now. He’ll likely have a cast on his non-throwing hand, but throwing isn’t his strong suit anyhow. Like the Dukes legend, he has complete command of their spread offense, is a deceptively shifty runner who makes great decisions and throws just well enough to keep everyone honest. He’s got good receivers to work with and the Wildcats are a veteran club all-around. Villanova absolutely blew their game at the Carrier Dome and lost in double OT to Syracuse the first week before utterly dismantling a strong playoff team from last year in Fordham. They had a bye last week, so they’ll likely be rested and ready, but hopefully a little rusty too.

Simply put,Villanova is the best team remaining on the Dukes’ schedule and it doesn’t look all that close yet as JMU avoids UNH. They do the thing JMU has struggled the most to defend – run the ball – with clinical efficiency and this will be a HUGE test for the Dukes defense and a real stagegate at which to mark the improvement after four weeks of the Withers era.

How Villanova Can Win?

Play smart, turnover-free football and do what they do. So far, JMU has shown exactly zero ability to stop the run this season and Villanova will look to put them to the sword early. Defensively, stop the Dukes on the ground and force Lee to beat them anywhere but outside to Daniel Brown. Ride the big, raucous home crowd for momentum Try to play with enthusiasm despite minimal support in a tired old stadium after little or no tailgating.

How JMU Can Win?

A big turnover, a HUGE play on special teams, no turnovers on our side, find a way to work the ball to Daniel Brown, and keep it close into the 4th. If Villanova has a glaring weakness, it appears to be in the kicking game, which cost them the Syracuse game and has somehow managed to botch two extra points in two weeks. Would love to see some pressure on them in that area late in this one. Oh yeah, a complete 180 with the run defense would really help too.

Beer of the Week

In the spirit of Villanova wideout Poppy Livers and with the knowledge that drinking time is capped by the early start and the tailgate gestapo, this one’s gonna require a high ABV that still brings great flavor. So this week we’re going with Hardywood Park’s Hoplar Imperial IPA. I wanted to hate this because all the pastel-polo’d bruh’s from Richmond have been talking this place up and because “conditioned on Virginia Tulip Poplar wood” just seemed to be taking gilding the lily to a new level, but this is a darned good DIP. And the poplar really does seem to infuse it with something “interesting.” It’s not up there with Avery’s Maharaja, but it’s in that same mold as it’s not just a huge hopbomb and has it’s own suis generis.  Pastel enough for ya?

Tailgating Tip of the Week

Be careful out there folks. Villanofun has earned that reputation through years of cracking down on even the tamest, most mature (read even old people) forms of revelry. Allegedly, things have loosened up a tad on the Main Line, but immediate purple Solo cup usage is in order. Coolers stay in the car, not out under the tent and just be smart and keep your eyes peeled for what ‘Nova students call their version of Campus Cadets, the Pubic Safety Officers. Also, if for any reason (i.e. a monsoon) you are forced to leave the game early (i.e. because your Villanova alum spouse and her girlfriend’s that are back at their homecoming aren’t watching Villanova/JMU in the rain), you should know that you can be comfortable in the knowledge that losing your damned mind when JMU wins the game on a hail mary will not even get you in trouble with the locals. Their all just waiting for hoops season anyways.

Prediction

The Dukes are going to play this better than expected. But that a) doesn’t mean we’re picking them, and b) requires a reminder that most every sensible Dukes fan penciled this in the L column when the schedule came out and this game isn’t likely to be the one that costs JMU that much-needed 8th or 9th win come selection Sunday. Too much seniority from the Wildcats. Vanillanova 37, Dukes 27.