We’re back from our grieving period after another thoroughly underwhelming and maddeningly disappointing football season which led to all kinds of justifiably distraught, angry questions being asked about Coach Matthews’ future, Coach Durden’s future and the inept, misguided, antiquated offensive scheme as a whole, Jeff Bourne’s future, President Alger’s involvement in athletics, and the general malaise within the fanbase. Thankfully we had an excellent post wrapping things up from our guest poster last week and felt confident we could step back, enjoy our Thanksgiving travels, and come back with a fresh outlook as we turned to hoops season this week.
We even heard yesterday that Tarik Hislop won the ESPNw Player of the Week award last week and were excited to share such good news. And former Dukes cornerback Evan McCollough was a presence in the Toronto Argonauts Grey Cup win!
But then over the last few days the unstoppable, crazed, maniacal crack addict that is conference realignment in college sports started lurching around fiending desperately for any type of fix it could get its hands on. First, it made big waves when founding ACC member Maryland announced they were packing for the B1G (along with Rutgers from the Big East). While this made news nationally, it was today’s news, mocked by many in the power conferences and major networks but potentially landscaping-altering for the trickle-down schools and conferences like JMU and the CAA, that Tulane (all sports) and East Carolina (football only) were leaving CUSA for the Big East that drove us back to football and realignment despite our best efforts.
Wait, CAA game on national tv?! Couldn't be, could it?!
[By the way, PurpleOut for the home opener at the Convo tomorrow night against GW and extra good news is the game will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network!]
In no particular order, here are some random thoughts about what this all may mean. Whether or not it actually means something to JMU is a whole other matter.
– CUSA doesn’t look like such great shakes all of a sudden, does it? This is not necessarily just trolling ODU, but now that almost all of what was CUSA is actually going to be in the Big East and ODU’s biggest hope for a regional rival (ECU) is gone, do you really think CUSA is quite so attractive if it’s this unstable? ODU, UMass, and the like still have a huge leg up on JMU because there feet are already in the collective door, but not sure we’d want to be jumping from a fracturing iceberg (CAA with it’s football/bball split) to a rickety old ship (CUSA).
– The MAC looks like a downright bastion of stability these days! Seriously, for any JMU fans that were bashing the MAC, and don’t get us wrong it has it’s warts (doesn’t sponsor all JMU sports, fairly far afield geographically with few if any potential true rivals), in all of this craziness, the MAC is really the only non-BCS conference that seems to have maintained both its shape and its integrity throughout the last few years.
– Is the ECU/UMass football-only move a possibility for JMU? Who knows, but we certainly could get behind that idea. Sounds like ECU may actually be returning to the CAA in all other sports which is actually good news for the CAA overall, but don’t get overexcited. It’s still shitty news for the withering football playing (and paying) members who are now even two more votes to the bad side of conference decisions with non-hoops members CofC and EZU.
– Is the Big East actually any better than CUSA, MAC, etc. at this point?! With Louisville, Cincy, and UConn basically begging anyone who will listen to throw them a liferaft out of the Big East, the essential lack of playoff access, and the same crummy voting considerations with so many hoops-only members just like in the CAA, really not sure what kind of future that road holds either? Not to mention the fact Boise and SDSU will never play a down in the Big East most likely since really what’s the difference from the Mountain West except for not having to listen to all the hoops whining from places like Georgetown, Villanova, and company?
– One thing is for sure, things are finally trickling down and if you’re an AD/President in Boone, Statesboro, Lynchburg, or Harrisonburg, you better be working the phones like a pollster on election night right now. Unfortunately, it has to be said, chances are we’re simply “monitoring the situation.”
– Is there more hope for an East Coast Conference that would actually be a great situation for JMU given all the instability in the Big East, CUSA, and to a lesser extent even the SoCon, MAC, and SunBelt? Who knows, but this still seems unlikely if only because FBS doesn’t want more conferences competing for that single spot in the “access bowl.
One final thought that we’ve been preaching for two years. 1-AA/FCS is already dead, only no one has bothered to check for a pulse yet. When you really stop to think about it, the four-team playoff was actually the death knell. Any championship dreams an undefeated Boise St. type team may have had a couple years ago before the kicking debacle against Nevada are even less than dreams now if you’re not in one of the Big Five conferences (which really may be the Big Four if the ACC gets destroyed by the B1G and the SEC as appears to be at least somewhat likely). It’s very clear that the non-BCS/playoff leagues in whatever form they end up (CUSA, MAC, MWC, SunBelt, and BigEast) are really just the new 1-AA. The 1-AA we all sort of still love, the one with the actual playoffs controlled by the NCAA cartel JMU didn’t make – again – is really just the new D2 and on down the line. Still not sure we care one way or the other if the JMU administration would just be more open and honest about their vision, assuming they have one, but two things seem clear: JMU has built enough in the last decade that they are, for the time being, out of place in this new D2. Second, unless they make a move now, the fire of support and excitement lit in the last decade will be extinguished faster than you can say Albany Great Danes.
Shady_P saw it coming folks. He predicted ODU would beat JMU 38-27. Sadly, he was almost dead-on. The good news is that he won the right to be our guest blogger this week. Here’s his take on the head coach of your JMU Dukes, the state of the football program, and other JMU sports. News Flash – Harrisonburg, VA – November 17, 2012
Mickey Matthews out-coached again.
read more…
Well, it’s over everyone. The JMU Dukes came out swinging and actually built up a lead against the ODU Monarchs, but failed to do much of anything after halftime. Maybe it was a game JMU wasn’t meant to win. Or maybe they were. In any case, they didn’t. ODU defeated the Dukes 38-28 in Bridgeforth Stadium last night. First things first, we’ve got to thank the Dukes’ seniors who left it all on the field yesterday (and everyday of their JMU careers). As fans, we’re all frustrated, disappointed, pissed off, etc that JMU failed to make the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years. I’m sure it’s a whole lot easier on us than it is the graduating seniors though. And one more thing before we get into the game. Give it up for ODU. I don’t like them any more than any of you do (trust me), but they’ve got a hell of an offense and had a heck of 2 year run in the CAA. I’m sad to see them go. And that’s all I want to say about that. read more…
We are going to try something new (new to us) and have an open thread for today’s game. Please use the comments for this post to add your thoughts before, during, and after today’s JMU vs ODU match-up.
Quick Note: Rob and I will be rolling around a bit seeing some old friends early in the day tomorrow, but we’ll have the brand new “Start Wearing Purple JMUSB” banner hanging from a tent in Hanson Field by around 4:30 so feel free to stop by, say hi, and mock ODU fans who may be in the vicinity! It’s possible we may also have a Duke Dog flag rigged up on a fishing pole (we learned something from WVU!) flying from the tent, but we’re not sure we have enough duct tape. Follow us @jmusportsblog for updates as we get settled in, but don’t forget to savor the day and not spend the whole thing buried in your phone. (wait, that was a self-reminder).
Without further ado, here are some links to get your morning off to a purplish start!
Scotty! We could use one of these tonight! Come on Ryan Smith.
Lastly (this one’s for Pitz and Dirty), a quick question: You Rootin’ Fer Dukes?!
Try as we might, there’s just no denying the enormity of this weekend’s game at Bridgeforth. We’ve talked about this game and what it means seemingly forever and there are an infinite number of angles, but as Dukes fans, let’s all agree to a short moratorium on all the “future of the program/direction of the university/fire everyone/extend contracts” talk. How about we shelve the post-mortem reports from whenever you read this until whenever the season officially ends? We’re good? Alright, let’s do this. National TV (NBCSN), night game, last meaningful FCS game of the season and it’s certain the selection committee will be watching this one like a hawk, likely with multiple scenarios already gamed out for the bracket depending on the result. Bridgeforth in mid-November after a day-long chilly fall/winter tailgate!
The Basics
JMU has to win to get into the playoffs. Yes, there’s a chance they could win and still not get in, but without a win here, they are out. ODU is an in-state foe that we’d hoped would be a rival for years to come, but since they’re already moving up to FBS’ CUSA next year, this may be the last matchup for quite sometime. This game carries with it bragging rights for fans across the state, especially those Dukes living in the Tidewater area.
ODU is ranked 3rd in the nation because they’re good. On offense they can be downright deadly. Maybe the best in FCS, certainly the best passing team anywhere in FCS. Their sophomore QB Taylor Heinicke is a stud who had an historical performance earlier this season against New Hampshire, though in actuality that only means he tops the list of QB’s who have had historical performances against UNH’s pass defense this year. Don’t be fooled though, Heinicke’s interceptions are up this year and the team has not clicked quite the way they did last year. Not that they aren’t capable, but last year this team looked unstoppable offensively and this season they’ve looked awfully human on occasion.
On defense, well that’s another story. Despite firing their old DC in the offseason, they have yet to stop anyone and almost always seem to keep any halfway decent team in games even while their offense keeps ringing the bell. This has been especially true at times against read-option teams.
A Note About the Crowd
Those JMU students attending this game are to be applauded. They are not to be hassled all day about why their fellow students gave up on the team and/or hightailed their sheltered little asses out of town and home to Mom’s house, thereby giving away a golden opportunity for what could be a legendary game and night in the ‘Burg. Same goes for the crowd generally. If it doens’t fill, it doesn’t fill. Yes, that sucks. But those that remain are smart, serious fans who are absolutely capable of creating all the electricity JMU needs!
Additionally, the ODU contingent is likely to be larger than any visiting team we’ve seen in the two years at New Bridgeforth. Not to sound all “get off my lawn,” but while we certainly encourage good-natured taunting, mocking, heckling, and booing, don’t teabag anyone or get arrested and ruin your life like an Alabama fan.
Beer of the Week
Well, a game this big calls for something special. So I’m hitting the retro machine and going with Colorado-based O’Dell Brewing’s 90 Shilling Ale. This was my first “favorite beer” when I first discovered there was such a thing as “good beer.” It’s a Scottish Ale with serious flavor, but at a mild 5.3% ABV, you can enjoy an extended tailgate!
Our Take and Prediction
Given the reaction on the blog this week (and we love that JMUSB has become such a great forum to talk all things Dukes!), it seems many in JMU land think there’s no chance this weekend. But here are a few things to keep in mind. First, if you remember last year’s game, JMU’s rush-only attack was unstoppable against the Monarchs before we lost THREE offensive linemen in that game. Yes, it’s an excuse, but the Dukes still probably win the game without the pre-halftime hail mary for ODU. Second, while JMU’s performance against Villanova was gag-inducing on all levels, ODU took a 10-0 lead against Nova and then gave up 38 unanswered at home, losing 38-10. Third, it seems every year, even in the “tough” years we’ve seen since ’08, JMU seems to produce one magical game at home where things just click. Last year it was the zillion-sack beatdown of Aaron Corp and then-ranked UR at homecoming. The year before, a seriously struggling JMU team put DQS at QB, completed ZERO passes for an entire game, and upset then #1 William & Mary going away. We just haven’t seen that yet this year in a game that meant something at home and to be honest, I’ll be horribly surprised if this isn’t the Dukes most inspired performance of the year. Lastly, this is 1-AA, and for those of us that have been paying attention a while can tell you, don’t bet on anything being sure at this level. So screw worrying about the playoffs, this is ODUh. So don’t forget your hats, gloves, handwarmers, and most importantly, your flasks, and get ready to send them back to Nawfuck with a heavy dose of humility before we see them again down there in three weeks!
JMU 38, ODU 35 (if that score looks familiar, you know what a huge night game at BFS is capable of producing)
Final note: Look for our new, giant purple JMUSB banner hanging from a Dukes tent on Godwin and stop by to say hi and share a beverage!
It’s hard to believe, but the 2012-2013 JMU Basketball season is starting today. The Dukes have traveled all the way across the country to face UCLA in Pauley Pavilion. If it seems like the season snuck up on you, we completely understand because it definitely snuck up on us. But it’s here and despite the program’s struggles recent history (and we’re referring to the lesser known definition of recently meaning nearly the past two decades), we’re excited. And there are some things about JMU hoops that are definitely worth getting excited about. Of course there are also some things that make us want to pump the breaks on our enthusiasm. Since we didn’t get to a full-on season preview, here are three of each.
Alright folks, we’ve reached the big one. It’s the second, and potentially final, match-up between James Madison and Old Dominion. Many ODU fans trolls have weighed in with their opinion that JMU fans in general, and Todd & I in particular, are whiny, jealous, and bitter that ODU is leaving the CAA and FCS football for a move to C-USA. Well, no we’re not. Disappointed that a potentially great rivalry is ending before it ever begins? Sure. And I’m absolutely certain that anyone with even a modicum of intellect understands that. But then again, these are ODU fans we’re talking about.
But I digress. It’s time to get to the predictions. If you’re new, this is pretty simple. Leave a comment with your prediction for who will win on Saturday and what the final score will be. The person who comes closest (winner & score) will get to write a guest post next week. And for the sake of clarity, from now on we’ll say that closet equates to the lowest total score differential. That’s it. Now let us know who you like on Saturday.
We’ll be back with our usual and more in-depth game preview as always on Friday, but we wanted to set the stage for this week. We’ll have multiple posts this week so keep your eyes peeled for a guest post from 04 and a hoops season preview before the opener at UCLA on Thursday.
But in the interest of trying to shake off the ennui and self-loathing that enveloped us all after the Villanova game and crank up the hype machine in earnest, we want to get a few things out there.
It's late November!
First, thanks to The Breeze for publishing our “stay for the ODU game” rant as a Letter to the Editor today, albeit in abridged version deemed more acceptable for publication. Who would’ve thought that 16 years after my last column covering the 1996 Dukes baseball team, I’d be back in the byline?!
Next, the CAA announced the tiebreaker possibilities today given the very real chance that six teams (ODU, TU, UNH, VU, UR, JMU) could all finish at 6-2 in conference after this week’s games. Unfortunately, due to the unbalanced schedules and the ridiculous and shortsighted use of the Sagarin ELO_Chess rankings, and the inability to use those rankings in their final form that won’t come out till Sunday, JMU is no longer in the running for the Automatic Qualifier. If you’re interested, here’s the full explanation. Simple verison, UNH beats Towson, they win the title. Towson or Villanova will likely win the league otherwise since ODU is ineligible. We’ll update what JMU is rooting for on Friday.
We’ll run through all the “who JMU is rooting for” scenarios on Friday, but the only thing we absolutely know is JMU has to win. We also know that a 7 p.m. game on NBCSN against the #3 team in the country is as good of an opportunity to impress the selection committee as anyone has anywhere on Saturday. Lastly, we know that more than likely we all stumble into Bridgeforth BEFORE kickoff Saturday, we’ll likely know how things stand in terms of the Dukes’ chances.
A ton of fellow fans and alums, The Breeze, the Student Duke Club, and even the administration have done all we can to increase student attendance at this game but for the most part our pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears. That said, at least we can bet that those students in attendance will be real-deal fans so treat them well and all of us on the opposite side of the stadium need to step up our game in shouting down what seems likley to be a Monarch-heavy Godwin side. Dress warm, tailgate early, preferably with bourbon, and don’t give up on this season just yet! This is 1-AA, where much, much crazier things have happened than a disappointing, but talented and desperate team upsetting a rival at home. Just remember what Bridgeforth can occasionally produce!
Disclaimers:
1. Prepare for some cutting torpedoes of truth. If you can’t handle it, stop reading now.
2. I feel as a former player, I have the right to criticize any student athlete that deserves it because they don’t do anything I didn’t have to do.
3. Reading JMUSB followers’ comments on all-things JMU is one of the highlights of my day.
4.I’m actually glad I have to come here to get my JMU news rather than ESPN because the quality of the information and the dialogue is awesome– good job guys.As we pick up the pieces from last weekend’s unmitigated disaster, there are three items that really stand out:
1. “I’m glad to see everyone get all “rah-rah” about the game, but we need to remember that Maine sucked. Bad.”, “Our offense (will run) east/west, lays an egg, and we throw beer cans at the radio.”, “and it will be interesting to see if MM/JD do anything at all to throw them off…..I’m going to go with NOPE.”. Told you, told you and told you. Just have to blow my own horn for a second. It was the gambling lock-of-the-week.
2. Just to take one last parting shot at the dead horse before I/we (hopefully) leave it behind forever- Justin Thorpe is not a good Quarterback. He would be one of the best at Norfolk State or Wofford or Bridgewater or Northwestern State, but NOT at James Madison. Nothing personal against the kid– The coaches put him in a position to fail. He does not appear to have the aptitude to play QB in the modern era of the forward pass and complex defensive coverages, nor has he (apparently) convinced the coaches that he has enough of an understanding of the offense to call audibles (which really sucks since all you have to remember at JMU is zone read right and zone read left). I am a huge champion of “sticking with your guy”, and after establishing a tradition of throwing various players under the bus, it is frustrating that the one time they stick with a guy, it is a QB who can’t hit the side of my house and will have a PhD in rec management when he finally uses up his decade of NCAA eligibility. I also think DQS is not anywhere near as good as the coaches seem to think he is. read more…
What? That’s offensive? Well, I was just paraphrasing our commenter Shady_P and besides, the truth is always a defense. And the truth is, quite simply, JMU did indeed shit the bed at Villanova yesterday in spectacular fashion, potentially costing themselves a playoff bid, and may have jump-started an offseason filled with enormous questions about the future of the program. That said, we’ll have plenty of time for long-term post-mortem whenever the final nail is pounded, so stay tuned.
Usually we do Good, Bad, and Ugly in our wrapups, but there is only ugly this week.
Simply the worst game I can recall from JMU under the circumstances in many years. There were some very ugly games last season and some real gag-jobs during the two 6-5 seasons, but there always seemed to be key injuries or odd weather or some other nonsense for Coach Matthews to excuse his way out of. Yesterday was just a physical beating in all phases of the game. The much-hyped (by us for sure) JMU rushing Defense gave up over 300 yards, many of them to a slippery, but not exactly Cam Newton, rFreshman QB and just as many after that same QB left with an injury. The pillow-soft zone allowed for wide-open receivers underneath throughout the game.
On offense JMU simply did what JMU does. Define “insanity” by continuing to do the same stupid things expecting different results. Yes, JT looks bad and his decision-making was suspect as always (how can you possibly take not one, but two safeties when you could have just thrown it up for grabs which appears to be what we do on half of our passing plays anyhow?), but it’s not even worth blaming the kid when the coaches took the ball out of his hands on every meaningful play prior to JMU already being down 17-0. The Dukes had short-yardage opportunities on 3rd or 4th downs in 2 of their first 3 possessions and lined up in Wildcat. Needless to say, DQ was stopped both times solely because Villanova’s Defensive Coordinator is apparently not the dumbest person on earth. And again, don’t kid yourself by forgetting the atrocity that was our defense.
In general, JMU has a solid, healthy O-Line and a stable of RB’s. Why the hell are we in shotgun on short-yardage plays?! If JT’s finger, which the reporters who cover the team have consistently said remains “gnarly,” is such an issue that he can’t be under center and cannot consistently avoid throwing the ball ten yards into the stands on five-yard out patterns, then get him the hell out. Everything about yesterday’s game is beyond frustrating and most likely signals a sad end to a season that looked so promising just a month ago.
But the Dukes have something nearly no other bubble team does next week: Opportunity. So let’s move on for a week. Get blown out by ODU and we can gnosh on the future of the Matthews regime and whether a 6th year of eligibility for JT will set us back another two years. There’s a ton of football to be played Saturday and JMU will have the national spotlight on them at home in Bridgeforth against a top five team. JMU’s resume is not where it needs to be for an at-large, but us fans will likely know how things stand at kickoff and they’ll be on national tv for the selection committee to all check out. Not to mention, if Towson can beat UNH earlier in the day, still a decent chance the Dukes will take the title and the automatic berth. (Short version, if JMU and Towson win causing a four way tie with UR and VU, JMU probably wins. If JMU and Towson win, but UR and/or VU lose to WM and UD respectively, then that would also strongly enhance JMU’s at-large chances).
In any case, this may be JMU’s last shot for a while at shutting up ODU even if the Dukes fall short of the playoffs and that’s enough reason for all of us to quit our bitching for a little while and get behind the boys. Let’s Go Duuuukes!
