Dukes v. Tribe Preview
UPDATE: Before the football preview, quick update on tonight’s JMU action. First Women’s Soccer opened the NCAA tournament with a huge 3-1 win over the Texas Longhorns in Chapel Hill. Up next, a 1:00 p.m. date Sunday with defending national champions UNC Tarheels.
In hoops, it appears the Dukes will bow out gracefully to the KSt. Wildcats, but watching this game with the future in mind, this team looks damn good! Goins is going to be a huge factor in freeing up Bowles, Devon Moore narrowly avoided a major injury (phew!), Semenov looks back to form, and Jackson looks atheticallly ready to fit in anywhere despite some freshman mistakes in the first half! Can’t wait to se how this team develops. Brady’s on the clock now with this assembly of talent and ability. Now back to the miserable exercise of previewing tomorrow’s game.
Amazingly, this is our 162nd post. I’m certain it’s the toughest one I’ve written. I have almost no energy to make fun of the Featherless Tribe so I’ll keep this short n’ sweet despite the fact the Dukes are bringing the nation’s new #1 team to the ‘Burg on Senior Day.
Smartest school in the conference and THIS is what they came up with?!
The Basics:
As stated in our preseason preview, the Tribe/Griffins are incredibly well coached by the incomparable Jimmye Laycock. To say they are better coached than the Dukes is like saying Brett Favre has an Irish curse. The Tribe are now using their fourth QB of the year yet seem to be getting better, and are clearly maxing their potential for a team most thought would take a step back this year. On the other hand, JMU’s staff has mentioned our injuries more than Sarah Palin talks about grizzly bears this fall. William & Mary’s been up and down a bit this year, but they always have a strong defense (which will look like the ’85 Bears against the Dukes offense) and stud RB Jonathan Grimes leads a punishing running attack that seems likely to gash the Dukes decimated front four.
JMUSB Beer of the Week: Just make sure to have something with a high ABV so you can forget the second half if necessary. I’d say Ommegang Abbey Ale at an incredibly tasty 8.6% should do the trick.
Reasons to attend this week’s game: Your kid is a senior on the team or the MRD’s, you’re on a JMU high after a huge Friday upset of KState in hoops, or you’re a cutter.
Chances the Dukes score more than 10 points: 23%
Chances MM burns Jace Edward’s redshirt for ABSOLUTELY no reason: A very unfortunate 10% Seriously, there is NO excuse for doing this and it better not even be considered.
Official JMUSB Prediction: Rob and I have flipped. I’m now the half-empty guy. Tribe 34, Dukes 6 (missed XP, not two FGs of course).
One more note on hoops: Incredibly well-prepared performance by Miles Simon as the color commentator on ESPNU tonight. Tons of knowledge and love for JMU and the CAA! I’ll support these announcers from now on. So rare to see these days, especially from ex-jocks. Thanks Miles!
I’m leaving for the ‘burg shortly and JMU is gonna win. Plus it’s going to be sunny and 60. What’s not to like?
I haven’t been this optimistic about hoops in ages. The Dukes looked really good in the first half. Unfortunately, one of the things that plagued them last season was turnovers and last night they had a ton. That needs to be fixed. I think it might be challenging for Brady to help this team find it’s identity and gell with all the new faces, but when they do the results should be awesome. Bowles will get his and this Goins kid looks great.
Finally, I agree about Simon being well informed. He’s not a very good broadcaster, but he did more homework on the Dukes than most guys I’ve seen/heard cover JMU games.
So I’ve been reading your blog for the past couple weeks and I must say it’s always an enjoyable read. I am, I must admit a VT grad (2010), but I’ve been following JMU athletics since I’m dating a JMU graduate. Congrats on the huge win back in September and excuses aside your team played a ridiculous game and totally deserved to win. I can understand your frustrations with offensive play calling considering our O-coordinator likes to run draws or dives up the middle all the time. Hopefully you guys pull one out today against William & Mary and finish the season on a high note with a win today and Maine next week. Oh and your basketball team looks good too. Hopefully you all make some noise in the CAA this year!
Thanks for the kind words Alan. The Tech win was awesome for us obviously because of the FCS vs BCS thing, but also because we’ve got so many good friends that went there. Since that game, it’s been great to see the Hokies bounce back and play so well.
Thanks for reading and good luck to your Hokies in the ACC Championship and bowl game!