Cold Question on a Cold Winter Night
I work in DC these days, not all that far from crumbling old RFK Stadium. While it holds a lifetime of nostalgia and warm memories for me for reasons well beyond the Skins (’94 World Cup, concerts, DC United games, the Nats inaugural season), playing in, or spectating for, a football game there nowadays against a mediocre opponent during a buttassed cold winter weekday afternoon is really not high on my list of sporting options. This occured to me when a co-worker and I briefly, ok jokingly, entertained the idea of heading over this afternoon to check out Toledo and Air Force in the Military Bowl.
And then another thought chilled me in a way the 40 mph gusts in the city today never could. THIS could be exactly what we have to “look forward” to in the event JMU moves up to FBS football in the next couple of years. In fact, THIS really may be the absolute best we can hope for in the next decade in the scenarios currently under consideration for the Dukes to move up. Look, I really do support the idea of a new East Coast Conference with a great mix of old and new rivals (though geographically sensical unlike other “local” conferences). And beyond that, I absolutely love the idea of being relevant, even if that means an occasional Tuesday night home game for television and early season trips to Baton Rouge, but let’s not kid ourselves that we’d rather be Toledo today in that ridiculous exhibition that most of JMU nation would completely tune out as opposed to North Dakota St. or Sam Houston St. prepping for a championship game, even if it is one taking place at 11 a.m. local time the hungover morning after the Cotton Bowl down the street. But just wanted to point out this chilly reminder to be careful what you wish for. That said, as we’ve mentioned in this space before, current FCS alignment just doesn’t appear to be sustainable and the most likely thing seems to be a parting of the 20 or 30 programs that “care,” of which JMU is clearly one of the top handful, and the rest. In this case, the 20 or 30 top programs would be headed for FBS bantha fodder with the MAC’s, SunBelch’s, and WAC’s of the world, while those left behind would be falling back into something like current D2 status. If that’s the case, I like where JMU is headed. Not to mention if there ever is a more wide-open playoff scenario (not likely with or w/out the NCAA being involved of which we are both staunchly opposed) for FBS down the road….
….well at least that dream can keep a Dukes fan warm on a cold day at the Military Bowl.
In other news, Dukes take on Rhode Island from the A-10 in hoops tomorrow night and HOST ODU next Monday, January 2nd. As this is a holiday for many folks and the trip to the ‘Burg might not be out of the question, take note that admission to the game is FREE for all fans wearing purple. Seriously, this is just awesome so hopefully JMU can turn out a big crowd to watch them finally slay their nemesis.
Why would most of JMU nation tune out the opportunity to play in the Military Bowl (or any lower tier bowl for that matter)? I followed you up until that point. If JMU was in a bowl game I would absolutely watch it, and if it was close by I would certainly get tickets.
Maybe I’m speaking for myself here but I’d rather watch JMU playing in the Military Bowl against Air Force than watch them play in the FCS national championship against Sam Houston State.
Valid point for sure Hi. But I think I need to clarify my thoughts here because you’re right about a lot of us hardcore fans. No doubt most folks who read this blog, season ticket holders, and boards fanatics would be fired up for a bowl appearance. And maybe the Military Bowl was a bad example because if the Dukes ever played a Bowl in their backyard like that, it would be fantastic. But after the novelty of the first bowl or three wears off, will leaving your family over the holidays for a trip to Detroit or Shreveport for an exhibition game against another non-BCS school really sound all that great? Does it really sound better than say, a trip to Statesboro for a semi-final?
As far as JMU Nation tuning it out, again you’re right about the hardcore fans. And look, I’m a college football nut. I mean, I even love tuning out my family to curl up on the couch for a little meaningless XMas Eve Nevada/Southern Miss action from Honolulu. But I just don’t think casual college football fans do. Especially not the extended JMU family that’s needed to continue building a program at a school with less than a quarter million alums. Just thinking of my mom and dad here actually, who think it’s pretty cool when the Dukes are in the playoffs but wouldn’t even think twice about a game against Arkansas St. in Montgomery. Hope I’m wrong and for the record, I’m the one in favor of an FBS move for sure! But just thought it’s a good question to continue discussing.
I have been saying this for years, I do not understand what is so great about moving “up” to FCS for JMU. The best you will ever have to look forward to is winning your Conference Championship and getting to playing in one of these crappy, meaningless exhibition games…oopps I mean Bowl Games. If JMU moves up to FCS, they will never again play for a National Championship. Do we really care if we get to say that we were the 2020 Beef O’Brady Bowl Champions???