{"id":11667,"date":"2021-05-07T12:29:16","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T16:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=11667"},"modified":"2021-05-07T12:29:17","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T16:29:17","slug":"official-jmusb-semi-final-preview-jmu-at-sam-houston-st","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=11667","title":{"rendered":"Official JMUSB Semi-Final Preview: JMU at Sam Houston St."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Solomon<\/a>
He wears a different number now, but could we see Vanhorse in the passing game in the storm-trooper whites this week?!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matchup: #3 JMU Dukes (7-0, 3-0 CAA) at #2 Sam Houston Bearkats (8-0, 6-0 Southland)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. EDT. Saturday, May 8, 2021, Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broadcast: ABC – this is outstanding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boys in the Desert: JMU -1, O\/U 47<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Sam Houston Can Win<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play their game and don’t get caught up worrying about the bigger picture. Sam Houston is the first opponent JMU has faced this year where we can’t say with confidence that if both teams play their best games, the Dukes are a heavy favorite. Sam Houston under former Delaware Coach KC Keeler have made a point of rebuilding their program from the inside out to be more physical by following the model set by NDSU and JMU. Last week’s ousting of the Bison went a long way towards helping the Bearkats (seriously, with a “k”) shed the #SoftHouston label that Valley and CAA fans have been throwing at them for a decade – with the high-water mark for this shade being the 2016 playoff shellacking in Harrisonburg for a then-undefeated and top-ranked (not seeded, sound familiar Dukes fans?) high-flying offensive show. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this week Sam Houston needs to forget all of that – the NDSU win, the 2016 humiliation at JMU and the accompanying trash-talk, and the chance to return to the FCS title game – this time against a non-dynastic opponent – and just play their game. The Bearkats need to hit a few downfield throws, run enough power to keep the Dukes honest, and trust speedy dual-threat QB Eric Schmid to make JMU pay when things break down. On the other side, Sam was able to shut down NDSU’s running game last week, a task made much easier because NDSU provided essentially zero threat in the passing game. The game plan this week is likely the same and Sam’s best chance remains stacking the box and hoping Cole has a bad day and\/or their corners can hold up against a receiving corps loaded with threats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh yeah, it also wouldn’t hurt the Bearkats chances to not give up multiple special teams TDs the way they did last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How JMU Can Win<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sling it! For real, it may be time to #passmore. Obviously JMU wants to run the ball like always and prove even this bulked-up version of the Bearkats can be bullied, but if Sam Houston puts eight in the box as often as they did last week, we could see a repeat of the first half against VMI a couple weeks ago with the Dukes looking to exploit one-on-one matchups on the outside with Wells Jr., Thornton, and Bracey. Addtionally, with the growing volume of jaw-dropping gametape on Wells, Jr., if Sam rolls any help his way, could we see more looks at Clayton Cheatham in the middle or even Vanhorse\/Hamilton in the slot or the rarely-used screen game a bit?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On defense, even if they can’t get massive pressure, JMU’s front seven needs to stay home to make sure Schmid can’t break huge plays with his feet. On the back end of the defense, the Dukes secondary just needs to make plays if (when?) Schmid’s occasionally suspect throwing gives them opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Special Teams! Last week we had even more fiascos on specials but the Dukes avoided the worst of the potential consequences. This week actually presents an opportunity against an equally mistake-prone SHSU unit and the Dukes need to at least break even in this facet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JMUSB Beer of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA. Of course we still love IPAs and the kick from the higher ABV, but semi-final Saturday with JMU kicking off the second of two national tv games calls for something without all the hipster haze of the New England variety that only leaves you feeling like you’ve eaten a burrito or two. This one is a classic; just west-coast smooth and ready to rock a celebration Saturday!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official JMUSB Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has the feel of a great one. A hungry rebuilt Sam Houston in their building defending their unblemished home FCS playoff record against JMU, a true FCS powerhouse finally finding its rhythm, and its swagger, at the perfect point of this Spring season. We think JMU has a bit more firepower to find the clutch drive late when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JMU 27, Sam Houston 23<\/p>\n