Game Preview #7: Towson at JMU
Amazing what losing this guy does to a program
Before we get into the game, how about a quick Old Guys Leave roundup of other stories of note involving our beloved JMU?
First, Men’s soccer upset beat CAA frontrunner and nationally-ranked Delaware tonight! Along with our favorite Dukes’ squad – field hockey, led by our favorite player Taylor West, as always – they are leading a fall season that remains filled with promise as CAA play really gets cranked up.
Next, instead of the old Midnight Madness hoops’ hype-night, JMU had an inaugural (and probably only) #TeamKenny vs. #TeamMatt Showdown tonight. No surprise, #TeamKenny won.
And finally, there’s another JMU kid on The Voice this season. #TeamRyan.
The Basics
Match-up: unranked JMU Dukes (3-3, 1-2 CAA) vs unranked Towson Tigers (2-4, 0-2 CAA)
Kick-off: 12:30 PM Saturday, October 4 at Bridgeforth Stadium (Family Weekend though it’s not even sold out yet)
Weather Forecast: High of 64, isolated thunderstorms, chance of rain 30%, winds only 6 mph
Broadcast: Comcast regional, MadiZone out of area.
How Towson Can Win
Take a noticeable step forward from their performances to date. After losing nearly their entire offense (most notably the Cleveland Browns’ Terrance West, but also 4 OLinemen, QB1, their top receiver, and their tight end), Towson has quickly slipped back to the pack in the CAA. They’ve lost at home the last two weeks to Maine and Stony Brook and have only beaten Charlotte and Delaware St. However, Towson can still probably beat the Dukes if weather limits this to a running-game rockfight, JMU continues it’s run-stopping and tackling woes, and if the slick track helps the Dukes struggle hanging onto the ball.
How JMU Can Win
Keep gaining consistency on offense and throw everything at stopping the run on D. Towson has not proven any ability even matching JMU’s adolescent passing game and in this one the Dukes need to force them to prove they can sling it. The Tigers are dead last in the CAA in passing, but have a new back, Darius Victor, replacing West who’s already averaging over 100 yards a game. JMU needs to stuff the box, make tackles, and somehow show us they actually can stop the run.
On the other side, other than last week’s thrilling 14-3 loss to Stony Brook, Towson has given up boatloads of points every week and there’s no reason to think this week isn’t a chance for JMU’s offense to keep figuring things out.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
This one has been [happily] overtaken by events. In case you didn’t hear, North County, San Diego’s famous Stone Brewing announced this week they are joining a bunch of their legendary Western colleagues and opening an east coast brewery. A number of cities in North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio were competing for the honor and Richmond came out on top. Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues, and New Belgium have all previously chosen spots in and around Asheville, so this is great news for Virginia and it’s capital city. So in that spirit, we’re going with Stone’s Levitation Ale. This solid amber ale is a great fall session beer, and 4.4% is a good choice to keep you respectable on Parent’s Weekend. It should also be noted that Stone’s history of telling everyone, everywhere, all the time, just how wonderful Stone is really is a perfect fit for “RVA.”
Official JMUSB Prediction
Towson is back. Thankfully that’s the Towson we all know and love. The Dukes aren’t complete enough to salt this away early and it will likely be tough playing in front of only a few hundred students in the 4th quarter on what could be a rainy day, but the Dukes are still quietly improving while we all thrash about. Dukes 27, Tigers 17
