Dukes vs Monarchs, the Royal Rumble
When ODU announced that it was starting a football program, we were pretty excited. We thought that if they caught a few breaks, they’d have the potential to develop into a nice little rival for JMU. The Monarchs are just in their first year of CAA play and they’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations. Yes, they have a young program, but they’re recruiting well, playing well, have a large and enthusiastic fanbase, and their administration is committed to building a top notch program. This rivalry doesn’t need to develop, it’s already there. In fact in my mind ODU has already made the leap to be JMU’s biggest football rivarly. So big in fact that we think the game deserves a nickname. Therefore JMUSB is declaring the Dukes vs Monarchs the “Royal Rumble”. So what if Dukes actually refers to Samuel Duke and has nothing to do with royalty. Just go with it.
It might seem ridiculous to make so much of a game against a team that is brand new to the CAA. It’s huge though. ODU is situated right in the middle of the “757”, a region of the Commonwealth that is deeply passionate about football. In addition to be a recruiting hotbed and a place much of JMU’s roster calls home, it’s a place where thousands of Dukes alums live, work, and play with their Monarch friends, neighbors, and coworkers. ODU isn’t like William & Mary or Richmond where the programs’ successes haven’t translated to fan passion. ODU fans are loud, proud, and excited for this game. They are sick of hearing about the momentum JMU is building. They are also sick of JMU fans thanks to my 4 year old niece who attended the ODU vs Towson game, cheered like crazy for the Tigers, and let it be known to all within earshot that JMU was coming. (Ed. note: Uncle Rob is proud of you Jane.) In addition to the winner being one step closer to the playoffs, its fans will have serious bragging rights. And for once we appear to have found another school with fans who actually get that. That’s why this is going to be such an epic rivalry.
So yes, we’re a bit excited about things this week. We had hoped to have a few years for the Dukes to stomp ODU without breaking a sweat as they got up to speed in the CAA. ODU has shown that they deserve to be taken seriously though. And that’s awesome. Last week there were some great ideas about what JMU should do to start some traditions. The fact is that a passionate rivalry is the best tradition of all. And we’re pretty sure JMU has one in ODU. So we’re officially declaring this rivalry week and JMUSB is all about this rivalry. The countdown begins now. Saturday is the Royal Rumble.
I love it. This is our Red River Rivalry or the Iron Bowl or whatever else you want to equate it to on the FBS level. I really have never thought of Richmond or W&M or any other team (maybe with the exception of Delaware since they have a similarly passionate fan base) as rivals for JMU. I think there will definitely be a recruitment rivalry in the coming years and hopefully it will also translate to epic battles on the field. I am still not sold yet on how good they are until they play us and see first hand. Let’s go Rivalry Week! Go DUKES!!
Awesome. I’ve always hated ODU and VCU. Just something about both stink.
I hate ODU with a passion and we haven’t even played them yet. I think it’s b/c I work with a bunch of ODU alums who are “huge football fans” even though it’s their first year in the big leagues.
I get especially pissed off when they start telling me “how things are” in the CAA and the FCS.
They are the epitome of what we in the military call the “FNG”.
Your 2 year old nephew has been practicing his “J N U…Duuuukes” chant as well to make you proud, Uncle Rob! Please pull it out this weekend, Dukes! I really want to have bragging rights with all those on the ODU bandwagon here in Norfolk.