Playoffs Start Tomorrow Against URI: Is it one and done?

For the third year in a row, the playoffs are essentially starting for the Dukes waaaay earlier in the season than any of us would like.  But hey, it’s Senior Day in the ‘Burg, looks like good weather, and a bunch of the ’04 Champs are going to be on hand to wrap up the New BFS inaugural season festivities.  Let’s hope some of their magic rubs off to at least keep the Dukes alive another week!

Really all about the Dukes

No disrespect to Rhode Island, a tough-minded team that has played everyone in the CAA close and is certainly more than capable of defeating a reeling JMU team, but this game is really all about the Dukes, and as our fabulous guest poster put it on Thursday, it’s really about JMU attitude.  Justin Thorpe returns just in time as Jace Edwards’ injuries will keep him from even dressing Saturday.  Hopefully Justin can provide the type of emotional spark the team needs, but that’s a lot to ask for a kid who hasn’t played in five weeks and surely has been dealing with a range of emotions.

The OLine has now had two full weeks to work together and the D has had half a season to adjust to their own holes at DTackle so more excuses in the trenches.  Mickey himself took over kick coverage after potentially season-crippling breakdowns at UNH last week so no excuses there.

Seniors

Pay special attention to Babington, Nelson, Bryant (please no personal fouls though), Middleton, Pat Williams, Cuffee, Allen, and Long.  We’ll miss them all but it sure would be nice to not see that group finish 6-5 or worse their last three years.

JMUSB Beer of the Week

This week’s choice is Founders Backwoods Bastard.  It’s more than 10% ABV, tastes like bourbon, and is damn good.  And think of it this way, you’ll be primed to celebrate or to begin the irrational Saturday evening new coach speculation no matter what the outcome of the game.

Scoreboard Watching

For those of you so inclined, pass the purple kool aid and pull up the 1-AA Scoreboard on your phone to follow the following games throughout the day.  We’re all rooting for the following teams (though I’d suggest keeping that to yourself during the game):

Lehigh over Georgetown (REALLY need this one to keep the Patriot League to one bid)

North Dakota St. over Youngstown St.  (REALLY need YSU out of the mix)

Texas St. over Central Arkansas (unlikely upset bid, but would be HUGE if it happened)

Norfolk St. over Morgan St. (would clarify the MEAC though the MEAC is likely one bid regardless)

Elon over Furman (unlikely but would be big)

Missouri St. over Indiana St. (very unlikely but would be HUGE)

Northern Iowa over Southern Utah (very likely and would eliminate SUU)

Georgia Southern over Wofford (would still need Wofford to lose to Chattanooga next week too to matter)

Western Carolina at App. St. (extremely unlikely but go Catamounts!)

Oh yeah, what about a JMU Prediction

None of the above will matter without a JMU win.  But I wouldn’t have gone to the trouble if I didn’t think the Dukes were going to show up at home at least one more time this season!  Dukes 21, Rams 13