{"id":3285,"date":"2011-11-25T08:06:35","date_gmt":"2011-11-25T13:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3285"},"modified":"2011-11-28T22:04:39","modified_gmt":"2011-11-29T03:04:39","slug":"jmu-v-eastern-kentucky-playoff-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3285","title":{"rendered":"JMU v. Eastern Kentucky Playoff Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hope reading that headline gave you all as much pleasure as it did for me writing it.\u00a0 The long wait is over!\u00a0 JMU playoff football is back.\u00a0 Put all the crap aside and say it again: JMU playoff football is back.\u00a0 Forget everything else that’s happened since Rodney Landers and the Dukes limped off the field in old Bridegforth on that cold December night three years ago after the loss to Montana and say it again: JMU playoff football is back.\u00a0 Forget the opponent, the record, the nervous bubble watch, \u00a0the suspended star, the upset of Virginia Tech (ok, maybe don’t forget that), the Dudzik\/Thorpe controversy, new Bridgeforth, even the webcam, and most of all forget bid-gate and say it again: JMU playoff football is back.\u00a0 And the best news of all, besides the possibility of getting AJ Scott back on the O-Line of course, is that unless the last two Thorpe-led weeks were a mirage, the Dukes are finally firing on all cylinders and appear as primed for tough competition as they have at any point in the last three seasons.\u00a0 Needless to say, we believe!<\/p>\n

Sports Calendar Interlude<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before we get carried away with the preview, just a quick reminder of all the tasty dishes being served up by JMU sports this holiday weekend.\u00a0 Men’s hoops has the rare good fortune to play two games in the legendary Palestra this weekend against an underrated Rider team today at 2 p.m. and Penn Saturday night at 7.\u00a0 Good news for fans is both games\u00a0are televised (CSN+ or MASN19 or something but consult your local listings).\u00a0 And of course Sunday we’ve got soccer in the Sweet 16!\u00a0 1 p.m. at UConn and if the Dukes win this one, there’s a very good chance they’ll be hosting (what a novel concept) the defending national champions Akron for the chance to go to the Final Four.<\/p>\n

Also, we just wanted to link to a thread<\/a> about all the viewing party options for the playoff game around the country.\u00a0 This game may be on ESPNU, but in our opinion you’re really missing a rare opportunity for playoff atmosphere and general Dukes shenanigans if you don’t go watch this in a group setting.\u00a0 If you stay home, your stupid-assed Ohio St. uncle is just going to piss you off\u00a0making\u00a0ignorant comments about 1-AA anyways.\u00a0 Viewing parties seem to be coming together in Nova, Loudoun (not Nova), Richmond, the Burg, Charlottesville, Hampton Roads, Fredericksburg, NYC, San Diego (two in SD!), Phoenix, Philly, B’More, and Chicago so get out there and join your fellow Dukes in a little streamer throwing and annoying other bar patrons with a drunken rendition of the fight song!<\/p>\n

Beer of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

As most of our frequent readers (we’re starting to think you may exist) know, we’re huge supporters of the JMU alum who started Port City Brewing in Alexandria.\u00a0 And this week he’s provided kegs to Bailey’s in Ballston to offer $2 drafts for the Dukes playoff games.\u00a0 So of course we’re choosing one of his beers.\u00a0 That said, I got my first taste of Port City’s seasonal offering, Tidings, yesterday, and it’s definitely one of the most impressive efforts from these guys yet!\u00a0 Think Mad Elf, just priced reasonably.\u00a0 Enjoy!<\/p>\n

Oh yeah, the preview<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Finally, the game.\u00a0 EKU will be lucky to have 10k in the stands and yes, the Ohio Valley Conference is on an 0-18 run in the playoffs, but the Colonels have a stud RB Denham who rushed for 1400 yards in only about nine games.\u00a0 They hardly ever turn the ball over (most of their to’s were early in the season when their QB was effected by a broken hand).\u00a0 The Colonels don’t have much in the way of a kicking game so look out for lots of going for it on 4th.\u00a0 They also hung in with FBS powerhouse Kansas St. early in the season in a 10-7 loss so they’re not to be taken lightly (though to reenforce the point, K-St. had six turnovers that game).<\/p>\n

Honestly, the matchup could not be better for the Dukes.\u00a0 This is a power team and that plays into the Dukes strengths of running and stopping the run.\u00a0 If JMU can hang onto the ball, we love the Dukes in this spot.\u00a0 But this is the playoffs and no one will go away easily.\u00a0 Our prediction <\/strong>is Dukes 31, Colonels 26.<\/p>\n