Guest Post: JMU Football is a Supernova

Chris Johnson won our preview contest last week and earned the right to guest post. Here’s his take on the New Era and the force that is JMU football.

As a 1999 transfer, and 2001 alumnus in History, I am honored to be a guest blogger here.  I think this blog is so entertaining and informative and I’m just a big fan.  Rob and Todd do a great job, and the guest blogs are always good too.  So, I feel some pressure here to be on par.  –Even more so when I recall that mine was the only History 395 presentation for which no one clapped.  EVERYBODY else received applause.  (I’ve managed to put that behind me now after years of therapy.)

I won last week’s contest by predicting a score of 72-28.  That may seem bold, whimsical, or incredulous to some.  The final score, of course 59-27, would tend to confirm that I had over-estimated my beloved Dukes.  The score at half-time was 45-7.  I would submit that the Dukes could have put up 100 points if they were so inclined.  They were not so inclined because they’re cool like that, but still…

Going into that game, the Dukes had just beaten the infamous Spiders 55-20, and yet the coaches’ poll had the Spiders ranked higher.  What is more, assuming that we win (and we will), we face #6 Villanova, and Richmond; if they win (don’t really care, just making a point here), would face #7 Coastal Carolina.  Going into this game, we’re only 1.5 point favorites, at HOME!  I feel like the Dukes are like the Rodney Dangerfield of the FCS.

But, you know what?  I like it that way.  I like riding the dark horse.  I cannot wait to see this team’s full potential, because I don’t think they’re there yet.  They are like the nucleus of a collapsing star ready to explode into a purple and gold supernova.

The Withers era has just started and the results have exceeded my expectations.  Yes – me; the guy that had the Dukes winning 72-28.  I cannot wait to finally get up to Harrisonburg this weekend and see it in person.

Few final thoughts, if anyone is still awake:  1. JMU should stay in the FCS for the foreseeable future, I’ve gone back and forth on this one; FBS isn’t ready for us.  2.  Love the new helmets and uniforms, hate that my purple gear won’t work for a blackout.  3. Vad Lee, transfer (gotta love those transfers), should win the Walter Payton award.  4. Jimmy ‘effin’ Moreland should win Jerry Rice award.  5. Coach Withers should win the Eddie Robinson award.  6. Taylor Reynolds can straight ball, hope he plays up to his potential.  7.  I hope our defense continues to execute the fundamentals –you know; tackling.  8. Liking the 2015 schedule.  9.  Props to all my professors who made me work my tail off and made me a better person.  10. GO DUKES!  BEAT LIBERTY!