{"id":2901,"date":"2011-09-02T00:00:36","date_gmt":"2011-09-02T04:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2901"},"modified":"2011-09-04T07:42:09","modified_gmt":"2011-09-04T11:42:09","slug":"gametime-2011-game-1-jmu-unc-and-interview-with-tarheel-fan-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2901","title":{"rendered":"GAMETIME! 2011 Game 1: JMU @ UNC (and interview with Tarheel Fan Blog)"},"content":{"rendered":"

30 hours to go!\u00a0 Or at least there will be by the time most of you read this. And this first preview of the year is a doozy.\u00a0 An extravaganza of info, angst, and impatience.\u00a0 But thanks to a generous assist from Tarheel Fan Blog<\/a>, we are happy to lead off with an inside look at UNC in the form of a Q&A exchange we did this week.\u00a0 For all you Heels fans (actual alums, not the Richmond Wal-Mart variety), our alumni friends pointed us in their direction and we highly recommend TFB as a rationale and humorous voice in the crowded world of Carolina blogs.\u00a0 If you just can’t wait for the prediction, you’ll have to skip to the end.\u00a0 Also back by popular demand, the JMUSB Beer of the Week.\u00a0 Lastly, thanks to Noop on the CAA Zone for all the photo creativity!<\/p>\n

Interview Exchange w\/ Tarheel Fan Blog<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1) Anyone in Chapel Hill taking this game seriously?\u00a0 <\/strong>I would hope so for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, JMU beat Virginia Tech a year ago. This is another, in a long line of FCS schools beating up on good FBS division opponents. In fact UNC had its own scare with William & Mary last year so taking this game lightly is akin to not keeping track of where your NFL caliber defensive linemen might be going<\/p>\n

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Tarheel?<\/p><\/div>\n

in the offseason. The other reason is UNC can ill afford a bad loss upfront. With an interim head coach in place, the program sits teetering on the edge. A loss to open the season could doom the whole enterprise in short order.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a02) We’ve heard UNC’s O-Line is incredibly strong, and conversely, that the defensive backfield’s going through a bit of a transition period.\u00a0 Not sure if that’s accurate, so what would you say are the Heel’s big strengths and weaknesses?\u00a0 (Editorial – we love our guys and are pretty excited to have Justin Thorpe back at QB, but if DB is a weakness, no need to worry about our “aerial” game, you know, since it doesn’t exist)<\/strong>The offensive and defensive lines look to be absolute monsters and by all accounts UNC should win the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Heels have three offensive linemen who are 6-7 and over 300 lbs. The two interior defensive linemen are both over 300 lbs with an All-ACC performer in Quinton Coples on one end and Donte Paige-Moss(seven sacks in 2010) on the other side. The secondary is weakened, especially for this game with senior Charles Brown serving an NCAA mandated one game suspension. UNC will also be without Jabari Price due to a hand injury. That leaves a secondary that is somewhat cobbled together with inexperienced players both in terms of class and time on the field. Still UNC starts a couple of linebackers in Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick who are very fast and will be called to help some in pass coverage. The bottom line is on paper it looks like passing on UNC is a good idea but given the defensive line protection might be an issue. If you are going to pass the ball, it better happen quickly.\u00a0
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\n\u00a03) What’s been the general fan reaction post-Butch Davis, Marvin Austin, Dick Baddour, etc.?\u00a0 <\/strong>Everything from fire the chancellor to doom and gloom. There are those who are in a wait-and-see mode(like myself) and those who think firing Butch Davis means UNC is prepared to take the path of least resistance<\/p>\n

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Tarheel.<\/p><\/div>\n

when it comes to the football program. Generally speaking I think most of us are glad this season will be primarily focused on the field and not in a constant cycle of dealing with NCAA decisions and journalistic bombshells from Charles Robinson. That is until October 28th when UNC has its committee on infraction hearing then we get to live it all over again.
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\n\u00a04) Is The U situation a good thing or bad thing from a UNC perspective?\u00a0 In other words, do people think the enormous shadow from Coral Gables will help hide other issues or only make the crackdowns that much tougher?\u00a0 <\/strong>Maybe in terms of perception but UNC’s NCAA issues have really reached a point where what is going to happen will happen. The evidence is in, the allegations are made and all that is left is UNC’s response followed by the COI hearing. I doubt the NCAA is going to act any differently because of Miami’s troubles mainly because I am not sure the NCAA can tell you how it will act from one day to the next.
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5) Any great, or unique, traditions for UNC football?\u00a0 Also, can you explain the ram\/Tarheel connection?\u00a0 <\/strong>One pregame tradition is the Old Well Walk in which the football team starts at the Old Well on campus and walks to Kenan Stadium joined along the way by fans and supporters. There is also a bell tower right beside Kenan Stadium so on 3rd down when the defense is on the field they ring a bell. Of course the bell is record and played over the loud speakers and not the actual bell in<\/p>\n

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Ramses, wha' happen?!<\/p><\/div>\n

the tower but your get the idea. UNC also has a live ram named Rameses on the sidelines which is similar to what other schools do. Speaking of which, the question does arise as to why UNC has a ram when the official mascot is the Tar Heel? It happened in the 1920s when it was decided UNC needed an animal mascot to represent the school. Based on the fact UNC had a fullback, Jack Merritt, they nicknamed “the battering ram” it was decided to use a ram as a mascot(Source: Tar Heel Blue) The name Tar Heel is derived from the nickname for the state which comes from North Carolina’s involvement in the tar and turpentine trade during the colonial years. Later legends and anecdotes have referred to NC soldiers holding positions in battle as though they had tar on their feet.<\/p>\n

Like many schools, the alma mater, “Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices” is sung postgame. The song played by the band when UNC takes the field is “Here Comes Carolina”<\/p>\n

\u00a06) IF schools were to leave the ACC in the next few years, do you think the conference would look to replace them?\u00a0 If so, any ideas on who might be on the radar?\u00a0 <\/strong>I would hope the ACC would look to keep pace with conference realignment. If we are indeed going to see 16 team superconferences, the ACC should do everything in its powers to be one of them. In my mind that would mean poaching a few more teams from the Big East.<\/p>\n

\u00a07) Do you think most UNC alums are content to be a monster powerhouse in a basketball-first league or is there really an ambition to be a two-sport power like Texas, Ohio St., or Florida?\u00a0 <\/strong>This is a hot button issue. There are a good number of UNC fans who are “basketball only” folks. They really do want UNC to simply be decent as long as they are clean. I don’t think this group is a majority but their voices do carry some weight in certain circles. Most of us want to see both sports excel at the highest level. It should be noted that even in the case of Texas, Ohio St. or Florida, only Florida has won a national title in the past three decades and that has the markings of having been lightning in a bottle. That is not to say the Gators or OSU or Texas aren’t good basketball programs, they are. However they still don’t produce the consistent level of accomplishment seen at UNC or Duke or Kentucky. That being said, I would be very happy to see UNC produced the rough equivalent of what these schools do in basketball on the football field which is 8-10 wins per season and at least compete for the ACC title.
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\n8) Lastly, when the hell is the ACC going to get rid of the low-rent Raycom\/Jefferson Pilot nonsense?!\u00a0 Heck, we’re in the FCS, have only four or five regionally televised games a year with barebones production value, and even we laugh at the anachronistic Hogewood\/Hildreth\/Walker telecasts.\u00a0 <\/strong>Well it changing but I am not sure they will rid themselves of Raycom completely. It will be re-branded this season as the ACC Network but will be the same show. In the case of the UNC-JMU game it will actually be shown on Fox Sports South which is referred to as the Regional Sports Network. Overall I think the ACC will get more games on TV this season as a result of the new ESPN deal, even if it means shunting them to local Raycom broadcasts or RSN. Still, the production values could be better and for the love of the Old Well could someone please stopped these people from picking such bad songs for the intro music?<\/p>\n

JMUSB Beer of the Week: <\/strong>Budweiser.\u00a0 The King.\u00a0 Preferably on tap or in a tall\u00a0can.\u00a0 Why would we abandon our snobbery for a true working man’s beer you ask.\u00a0 Let’s just say it’s our way of encouraging you all to get off your couch despite the fact this game is on regular cable in most JMU alumni markets and hustle yourself down to your local viewing party (Bailey’s in Ballston for me) to be ready for the unexpected!<\/del>\u00a0 (Edit: Sorry, a night to think about what to quaff during the game tomorrow and even I can’t pull off Buttweiser anymore. So in a nod to the end of summer, I’m trotting out a beer from my absolute favorite brewery, Full Sail in Hood River, Oregon.\u00a0 Find a 22 of their Elevation IPA or better yet, find three, and settle in for the upset of the day!<\/p>\n

Official JMUSB Preview and Prediction for Game 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

SETTLE THE FUCK DOWN PEOPLE! Just because we upset Tech and UNC has\u00a0had\u00a0 what can mildly be\u00a0termed a “rocky” offseason does NOT\u00a0make us any kind of favorite or make this game any kind of expected win.\u00a0 Seriously, both of UNC’s lines are experienced and outweigh their JMU counterparts by 80 lbs\u00a0per man.\u00a0 They have three tailbacks that might be the best player on our team, and you know, 20 more scholarships than we do (of course, that difference would be greater if\u00a0the Tarheels were flying to Miami to crash Nevin Shapiro’s parties and such).\u00a0 We also have a QB with incredible potential, but who hasn’t played a meaningful down as QB1 in 20 months.\u00a0 Lastly, we’ve got a coach who treats FBS games as if JMU is an old, crusty hooker.\u00a0 We take the money, but don’t work too hard or get invested emotionally.<\/p>\n

A competitive showing late into the 2nd half would be outstanding and I fully expect it.\u00a0 The Dukes defense is just too damn good to give up too much unless UNC is playing with a short field all day (which is key #1 to this game).\u00a0 I also think the Dukes will find a way to move the ball, but the million dollar question is can they put actual points on the board?!\u00a0 And make no mistake, JMU’s priority list takes the following order: 1) stay healthy, 2) cash that check, 3) make progress in all phases while testing yourself against serious competition, and 4) win.<\/p>\n

All that being said, our official prediction is JMU 26, UNC 24<\/p>\n

The Dukes hang in there all day with great bend but don’t break effort from the defense and electrifying play from a hungry Thorpe.\u00a0 Look for a huge play from Jakarie Jackson to put JMU back in the national headlines!\u00a0 Why not?!<\/p>\n

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