JMUSB Game Preview #2: Central Connecticut State University @ JMU
This is as tough a preview to write as any we’ve done in seven plus years. CCSU after Lesshead St. is about as exciting as pre-Algebra. Seriously, the schedule designers should be curbed American History X style for this. And while we have fully come around to believing Bourne is not the responsible party for #CAA4lyfe, we have no sympathy of any kind for this type of schedule. Yes, the CAA is tough. Yes, an FBS game is necessary and enticing. But if the Dukes were to risk losing two of three out of conference by playing an attractive game, even an attractive game on the road, then that simply means they have to get to 6-2 in the CAA to make the playoffs at 7-4. Tall order? Sure it is. But if they can’t do that, they’re not a contender anyways so please please please no more MSU/CCSU/UNCCH starts to the season where we have no clue what kind of team we have till a month into the year. Alright, rant over and on to the game.
The Basics
Central Connecticut State University (0-1, lost to Lafayette of the Patriot League) at JMU (1-0), Bridgeforth Stadium, 4 p.m. Saturday
MadiZone broadcast only, but you’ll get the smooth stylings of Curt Dudley!
What to Expect
Alright Coach, impress us
Beatings will continue until morale of subpar opponents improves. Which is to say, never. Look, Coach Houston is talking up CCSU’s stout D-Line and discussing how this is a big step up from Morehead because you know, the Blue Devils have scholarships in the NEC (although an NEC schollie is a bit like a Totino’s compared to Matchbox – not that there’s anything wrong with that of course), but really, the Dukes are significantly more talented and anything less than a three score victory would be disappointing. 80 points ain’t happening, but if CCSU scores more than 20, we can hit the red alert button. We really should care enough to look into the particulars of CCSU’s strong and weak points, but let’s be honest, it’s gonna be 90 degrees in the ‘Burg for a 4 p.m. game, we’re all gonna be sweaty, and the Dukes damned well better be up by a comfortable margin so we can all wiggle our way back to humanity’s greatest invention – conditioned air – as soon as possible.
Also, they’re playing the “Harmony Classic” next week when they host HBCU D2 Bowie St. which is apparently Bridgeport, CT’s way of trying to sell “diversity” or “multiculturalism” in a way that is 15-20 years behind the curve in a way that only a provincial Connecticut town can be. When you’re hosting the Bulldogs and think it’s a guarantee game, you simply have no business on the schedule with the Dukes (and that is giving full credit to the generally badass Bulldogs). Also, when you’re the “blue devils” no one knows about, you generally suck, we award you know points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Beer of the Week
Connecticut is a piss-poor beer state. Taxes are high, creativity is zippy as it’s mostly NYC zombies who spend three hours a day or more commuting and pretend they have a “beach” (that’s accessible two months a year), and it just generally is one of those other New England states whose parents are now afraid of the greatest game ever invented. For that reason, we’re shunning our normal opponent-influenced BOTW selection and going with one of our other NE faves, Vermont’s Otter Creek Brewing’s Backseat Berner IPA. Rob tried so hard to prove we’re going to branch out from our hop-heavy selections last week but let’s be honest, nobody gives a shit about CCSU or our selection this week, so let’s choose a widely-available solid standby that also happens to have fun art on the sixer.
Official JMUSB Prediction
Dukes 45, Afterthought Blue Devils 20 – A 25 point spread sounds good, but we have a feeling this will be the type of result that a) concerns us and b) gives Coach H his players’ full attention in advance of the trip to UNC-CH.
At the risk of going all hipster beer geek on everyone, Lawson’s Finest Liquids out of Connecticut makes some amazing beers. Sip of Sunshine is terrific, but hard to find outside of New England.
More importantly, yeah, this schedule sort of sucks. If JMU can’t schedule marquee FCS opponents (however one chooses to define that), I’d personally much rather see games against Patriot or Southern teams. Not exactly household names to the average football fan either, but give me Furman, Wofford, Lehigh, Fordham, etc over this crap we currently have. Or shoot for the moon and try to convince an Ivy to play our little old state school.
I agree JMU should not play both Pioneer League game and NEC game in the same season.
I see no issue with an opener game with Pioneer/NEC/MEAC type team and then the other OOC game being a SoCon/Patriot/BigSouth opponent. And it sounds like the CAA is trying to do just that with a scheduling alliance with the SoCon & Patriot.
In a 12 game regular season is where I think you try to get that marque type OOC FCS game with an MVC type team (Youngstown/Eastern Illinios/etc….)
As long as we are FCS the #1 goal is to make the playoffs and you don’t want to schedule yourself out of the playoffs with an FBS game + 2 marquee FCS teams in an 11 game season.
As a JMU alum who makes an annual pilgrimage from Connecticut to JMU each year to take in the Dukes – I will choose not to be offended about many of your somewhat accurate comments about my state. However, your failure to include a Connecticut beer on your list shows complete ignorance on your part.
Thanks for being a good sport Alan. I tried to offer up Lawson’s as one of the finest things produced by your state. And you also have the good fortune to be within striking distance of gems like those produced by Trillium and Treehouse.
Cheers!
Sorry guys … Pre-Algebra is pretty damn exciting! 🙂
What are “know points”? 🙂
Speaking of scheduling… here is today’s:
Delaware v. Patriot League
Elon v. C-USA
Villanova v. Patriot League
New Hampshire v. Patriot League
We had a stopover in CT two weeks ago en route to Maine. Found some good cans of Geyser Gose which was from Two Roads, a CT brewery. That being said, we also stopped at Treehouse in Monson and Trillium in Boston and loaded up at both stops. On one hand, you could say I have a problem. On the other hand, you could say Mrs. Carrier deserves national recognition for supporting these pit stops while we had a car full of kids.
Go Dukes!