JMU @ Towson Preview
Well, this is the end of a rather short, frustrating season from JMU football. There may be big changes on the horizon this offseason in the conference and coaching departments, but given JMU’s past actions, it’s probably equally possible we’ll see the administration continue monitoring and Coach Matthews back on the sidelines next year. But before we fully turn our attention to exciting hoops seasons on the men’s and women’s sides, we at least get one more chance to Root fer Dukes as JMU travels to (very likely) playoff-bound Towson riding a long winning streak over the Tigers.
The Basics
These aren’t your daddy’s Towson Tigers. But oddly, there also not the juggernaut from last year either (that the Dukes somehow managed to defeat 13-10 with a last-second comeback spearheaded by Justin Thorpe – man that feels like it was ages ago). That loss to JMU is probably the horrible loss that Towson looks back on as having cost them a playoff berth and we expect they’ll be primed to try and come out with a springboard performance ahead of Selection Sunday. The Tigers still have excellent, do-everything RB Terrance West. But this year he’s fully the focal point of their offense and they’ve struggled at times throwing the ball following the graduation of QB Grant Enders.
On the JMU side, we have absolutely zero idea what to expect. But we truly hope that there’s something better than the garbage we all threw up watching last week. Maybe the boys really have packed it in for the season. But it also seems entirely possible they’ll want to show last week wasn’t them and now that the pressure’s off, maybe they’ll play loose and up to their considerable potential. We’d also like to think in Stephon Robertson and DaeQuan Scott’s last games, among others, their teammates wouldn’t let them go out like that, but seriously there’s just no way to know right now. In addition to the seniors, keep in mind that it’s also not out of the realm of possibility that this could be JMU’s last football game in the short-lived world of CAA Football!
Coverage
This one is back on the national stage on NBC Sports Network at 3:30 Saturday.
Beer of the Week
This road trip has historically been one of our favorites. Many years this season-ender has been a big hit with our fellow Dukes fanatics as in the past it’s been a game where we’re looking to see the Dukes destroy Towson on our way to the playoffs. We’ve always enjoyed Towson’s VERY hospitable pro-tailgating policy. We’ve frequently brought along some Sierra Celebration this time of year as it’s always seemed fitting. This year, however, that’s just not gonna do it. This game calls for something more appropriate to the dumpster fire this season has become. You’ll need something strong and stout to get you through what could be a long, bittersweet afternoon and we’re going with Highlands’ Thunderstruck Porter. This NC brewery has a number of quality offerings, but nothing will get you through a sad day in sweeter fashion than this rich (think Mocha), smooth porter.
Prediction
Dukes 31, Tigers 30 – Cam Starke at the gun for old time’s sake. No, it doesn’t make sense, but neither did much else about this season and wouldn’t it be perfect of the boys to pull off the one stunner they’ve never found after the cause is lost.
Today on Greg Burton’s ‘Hardly Working’ show on ESPN 950 radio today, he interviewed Matthew Stoss from the Daily News Record.
(http://www.espn950am.com/page.php?page_id=72 hour 3, 26:35 mark). Stoss said that JMU would probably bring back MM for next year but he does not get an extension and that the ‘inevitable’ move to FBS impacts the decision on the who should be the head coach.
Hopefully, after all the posts and discussion by fans, alumni, past and current players, and anyone that has stayed at the Harrisonburg Holiday Inn Express, the team will be fired up and we will end the season on a victorious note.
Go Dukes!
“On the JMU side, we have absolutely zero idea what to expect.”
THAT is the problem. Aside from Mr. Personality on the sideline, and internet rumors that the kids have packed it in, our program needs an identity.
Texas Tech is going to air it out.
Army is going to run, run and run again.
JMU is going to……. no idea.
There is a 50/50 chance we will show up looking like FSU …..or looking like Harrisonburg High School.
It has gotten completely rediculous.
This truly is not me drinking purple cool-aid, but I really feel that regardless of what happened this season that the seniors will lead the team to play their guts out no matter the outcome. I am not saying they win, but I do think they won’t fold up and mail it in.
JMU – 33
Towson – 31
Well lets see:
1. JMU has SUCKED in every road game
2. This game means absolutely nothing
3. 75% of the players appeared to have packed it in based on the last home game
4. JMU has gotten progressively worse looking over the past 1.5 months (exception the Villanova game)
Four things JMU should do in the Towson game:
1. Play some backups on the OLINE especially to see if any of those guys can play. I see no reason to watch #71 flounder about and draw more penalties for another week. See if anyone wants to step up.
2. Scrap that whole bend don’t break defensive crap. Play cover-1 over the top with Marlowe and challenge every one of the DBs that step on the field to get up on the line and play press coverage. Refuse to give up the short 7-10 yard outs and timing routes that have killed us all year. Make the QB have to work to beat us. Play agressive and don’t miss the bump. Sure we may give up a long one, but that is better than seeing a team march up and down the field on you.
3. You got the DBs exposed playing press coverage with little to no help – so blitz the **** out of Towson. Bring the ‘heat’ for 60 minutes from all angles. Don’t back off for one play, keep hitting them in the face.
4. Play the hurry up for real on offense. Our offense looks best when we are playing fast. And by playing fast I do not mean lineup back off and look to the sideline for 10-15 seconds getting a play. Get up to the line ready to go and play agressive. Do not let the defense get set for every single play. 2 minute type offense the whole game.
This is it, our season is done. Don’t go out playing the same way we have all year. I guess what I am saying (win or lose) lets go out there and PLAY AN AGGRESSIVE style of football. If we get up don’t stop what got us the lead.
But I doubt we do anything different than I have seen all year and MM will make a fool of himself on the sidelines. JMU will score enough to win but Towson has seen the tapes just put it in the air and you have a career day against JMU. That is the only reason we beat Villanova – Talley was stubborn about Jon Robertson running the ball.
Towson 34
JMU 28
Towson 50
JMU 14
Sadly, I have no reason to expect a different outcome. Hope I am wrong and the Dukes come out and play the best game of their season. It will be an interesting offseason, full of rumors, as we impatiently wait to hear the official latest word on the coaching and conference fronts.
If the Dukes come out flat in the game I would quickly turn it into a game where we are looking for players who are hungry for next year. And Yes, I am thinking of you specifically OLine and DBackfield who are two units that have played with consistency this year (just too bad it has been consistently bad!).
Now come on guys, lets see you get mad and play with that chip on your shoulder tomorrow. There is no ‘after tomorrow’ left in this season so you have nothing to lose by leaving it all on the field.
AFTER ALL OF YOUR EXCELLENT WORK THIS YEAR RUNNING THE BLOG… YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DREAM!
THE TOWSON TIGERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUT A WHOOPING ON THE DUKES NOT ONLY FOR LAST YEAR’S LOSS BUT A FEW YEARS AGO JMU WENT INTO TOWSON AND BEAT THEM BADLY AND KEPT THE FIRST STRING IN EVEN THOUGH THE GAME WAS OUT OF CONTROL.
IT’S PAYBACK TIME!
FINAL GUESS TIGERS 46 JMU 10 FINAL RECORD 6-6 THANK GOD FOR THE CHARLOTTE GAME.
“But this year he’s fully the focal point of their offense and they’ve struggled at times throwing the ball….”
Doesn’t matter if Towson sucks throwing the ball. Stony Creek was not exactly Air America this season either, except against us. If the Towson coaching staff knows how to operate a DVD player, then look for them to dink and dunk us up and down the field all day long. How does a team with five DBs (compared to most teams’ four) still find themselves absolutely helpless at pass defense? Oh, I know! Have your corners give a generous 10-yard cushion, line your safeties up in the endzone, and pray. Our best pass cover guy is Gage Steele, IMO. Is it legal to be both linebacker and defensive coordinator?
I apologize for the cynicism, but it has been a long, frustrating season for we fans, so imagine how the players must feel. I believe they are completely disgusted and humiliated at this point. I also believe that this team has as much individual talent as any team in the conference (OL excepted), yet we look like exactly what we are, a poorly coached assemblage of talented players. Kudos to Mike O’Cain. We have an exciting (at times) offense capable of putting points on the board. Our uncharacteristically absent defense just can’t keep our opponents from scoring a few more points than us.
Cats 38
Dawgs 24
I meant to add that if Big Red runs with abandon tomorrow, things could get interesting, and considering that tomorrow is the last show in this tour he just might be given the green light. It is what has been missing since Akron, IMO. Had Birdsong been permitted to run at will this season I believe we would be playoff-bound.
believe towson wins going away…how absurd it feels to even type that statement.
prove me wrong, madison college — please.
i really like the 2004 teams identity; pro set, run it until the defense’s ears and eyes bleed, healthy mix of play action pass and the occasional qb keeper (on purpose). rascati was a pro-style qb — it is why louisville recruited him to play there — whose completion rate in the ’04 playoffs was 75% with 0 interceptions. the stable of hines, fenner and banks wore down defenses and the o-line mashed people routinely.
i can’t think of too many negatives to that identity.
We’re # 67 ! 🙁