JMUSB Playoff Game #1 Preview: Colgate at JMU
Dukes are finally wearing ALL purple this week. We approve!
And so it begins. Thankfully this year it begins in the Round of 16 against a Patriot League team (sound familiar anyone?)
The Basics
Match-up: Colgate Raiders (8-4, 6-0 Patriot, beat UNH 27-20 in opening round) at #5 JMU Dukes (8-2, 5-2 CAA)
Kickoff: 1:00 PM at Bridgeforth Stadium
Weather: Sunny, high of 55 – really couldn’t be a better December Saturday in the ‘Burg
Broadcast: Streaming on ESPN3 and available on ESPN’s CollegeExtra at bars with DirecTV on Ch. 791 or thereabouts
Tell Me About Colgate
We actually know next to nothing about Colgate. JMU and Colgate have never met in football. Colgate and JMU have one common opponent this year in Lehigh, who the Raiders outgunned 49-42 late in the year. Colgate did make a run all the way to the title game in ’03 (the year before JMU won the title) but otherwise are just 2-8 (including last week and they do claim two national titles in 1916 and 1932) in the FCS playoffs all time. Colgate is located in New York, but you’d be excused for thinking PA. They are Patriot League, not Ivy, but they’re often mistaken themselves on that. Their helmet says simply ‘gate and they were actually originally called Madison University before the school was renamed for an important contributor during the school’s early years (seems like this makes them morons, but we should all probably be thankful that happened or who knows what school we all would’ve attended). Eugene Robinson played there which is not cool. Coach Dan Hunt is in his second year after succeeding the legendary Dick Biddle (yes, that’s funny).
How Colgate Can Win
Follow the pattern that allowed them to “upset” New Hampshire last week. Win the time of possession battle while still occasionally letting dual-threat QB Jake Melville make plays and turning punishing fireplug of a RB James Holland (think MJD) loose in the red zone. He had four rushing TD’s accounting for all of Colgate’s scoring last week. They also probably need to jump out to a big lead and hang on like last week as they almost wore down enough to give away a 27-6 lead late to UNH and again will be at a depth disadvantage. They’ve got to avoid falling behind and letting the Dukes’ pace take over and they’ll likely try to do so by pounding the ball as much as possible.
How JMU Can Win
By not beating themselves first and foremost. Protect the football, catch the ball in the return game, make the makeable kicks without getting them blocked, and tackle. Really just tackle and the rest will take of itself. Work on finding a rhythm on offense and commit as much as possible to stopping the run on the other side. A few big plays in the first half could make a huge difference. This one really feels like it has the potential to tip JMU’s way in a hurry if, and that’s a big IF, the Dukes play to their potential.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
Foothills Brewing’s Frostbite Black IPA. Tricky style that we love, but lots of people get wrong. Not these guys. Such a good combination of a beer that smells like good herb but has a lot more balance and substance than the IPA’s we usually get carried away with. This is the rare IPA that stout and porter people will really like.
JMUSB Prediction
I’m sorry, but we’re in the spirit now and none of you attendance-complaining (hardcore fans + students = fine atmosphere so cool it), we-miss-Vad-too-much, we-can’t-defend naysayers are going to talk us out of it. JMU can still be great with Bryan Schor and with this defense. Stop overrating the FCS field and start thinking about the team that still has only scored under 38 points in a single game this season (24 in W over UD). They’ve scored 38 twice and 40+ eight times. Just think about that. Colgate is good. Colgate beat UNH fair and square and deserves respect. Colgate ain’t JMU. They’ve scored 30+ only three times this season. Settle down and root!
Dukes 41, Raiders 27
Good analysis… I think JMU will pull away, and the Raiders are gonna have to rely on the pass to catch up. Raiders will make mistakes and JMU will win big. I just don’t think a team is gonna beat JMU with a one dimensional offense.
I got a couple of questions though. One being; who are the refs? The other is what’s up with you and Eugene Robinson?
Thanks for the blog, always enjoy it. Go DUKES!
Great blog, guys. I think everyone is a little nervous because of last year against Liberty, which I think everyone took lightly. Can’t give Toothpaste anything, get the death star moving, and dominate the line. Put seven or eight in the box and make them throw, our defensive backs should be more athletic than their receivers. I hope the Dukes come out of the tunnel with fire and blood in their eyes. Killing me to not be there, but I’m in retail so I have to work and rely on espn3. Not planning on doing a lot of work between 1 and 4 tomorrow, but don’t tell the people who own the dealership.
Just a thought as to the referees: Has anyone noticed they have not called “targeting” this year. That must have been the chic call last year but not now. I think they just had it in for Dean Marlowe.
I just hope the “fans” actually get into the stadium early enough to show their support. Against Villanova, it seemed like there were more people out playing corn hole than actually watching the game.
Maybe I outgrew that tailgating stuff, or perhaps it’s because barbecue and drinking at my house beats the hell out of a parking lot, but if I’m going to a game, I’m going to a game.
Support the team people.
Don’t underestimate Gate! Just because you don’t know much about them doesn’t mean they aren’t good.
A little about legendary coach Dick Biddle.
Biddle went 137-73 during his 18 seasons running the Colgate show, snared seven Patriot League titles, played for the 2003 national championship with a 15-0 record, orchestrated a 21-game winning streak and once was named the National Coach of the Year. Oh, and he went to the national title game with no scholarship players; only coach to have done this.
As for Colgate football, Aside from Eugene Robinson, Mark Murphy, Mark Van Eeghen, and Mark Manusky are alums. There is even one in the football Hall Of Fame, Dan Fortmann.
One more thing about Colgate football. We’re the team that walked off your field with the W today. That’s funny too.
Good thing they don’t pay you to make predictions! You’re right, Colgate ain’t JMU… (you know how this sentence ends)! Thanks for your time!
Corey Hill #28 (look me up)
#proudGatealum #gogate #GATA
Always love it when the smug, condescending bs’ers are silenced. Go ‘Gate!
Shove this article up your god damn ass. That’s god damn right , Colgate isn’t James Madison, we are ballers, winners, something JMU isn’t after today!!!
GATA!!! – Fellow Colgate alumn!
Who is the moron now genius? Wait what was the score 44-38 ! Colgate with the win never underestimate the underdog all your blog talk got shoved in your face! Colgate football all day! Came to your home embarrassed the #5 team in the country, ran all over the defense and dominated the line of scrimmage. I suggest you blog about losing because that’s what happened today
Feels good to be a Colgate Football player today. Next time you make a prediction do your research and get facts instead of talking about your beer taste. The scoreboard says it all as a former Colgate lineman we ran All over JMU defense and won the trenches…upset..underdogs whatever you want to call we physically punished your team. So glad you don’t make Vegas predictions! Colgate alumni #76 class of ’02
Your analysis failed to mention that we graduate about 97% of our players and many of you will work for us. A more smug and condescending account of a contest you lost I cannot remember. Also, fans of this clown-blood should know that this was posted in the locker room and that the ‘author’ of this tripe is just as culpable as any member of JMU….How u like them apples?
Way to be arrogant JMU, better not piss off your future employers too much after having your asses handed to you.
Here’s a small known fact, your blog is garbage! Learn grammar and proper sentence structure. Go ‘Gate
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