{"id":3149,"date":"2011-10-28T08:24:54","date_gmt":"2011-10-28T12:24:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3149"},"modified":"2011-10-28T08:24:54","modified_gmt":"2011-10-28T12:24:54","slug":"its-finally-here-jmu-v-odu-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3149","title":{"rendered":"It’s Finally Here: JMU v. ODU Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cue the Empire music from Star Wars and\u00a0dig into that special\u00a0reservoir of condescension\u00a0you usually\u00a0bust out only\u00a0when the Ticks or CrAppy St. are\u00a0involved.\u00a0 It’s finally time for ODU!\u00a0 Dukes World has been discussing this one ad nauseum ever\u00a0since Monarchs fans started yakking after “big” wins over VMI and Norfolk Collegiate\u00a0three seasons ago when football arrived on the ODU “campus.”\u00a0 Somebody drop a Stone Cold Stunna on Vince McMahon cause this IS the Royal Rumble!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>We’ve literally been dissecting this game from every angle here at JMUSB for a solid year and a half.\u00a0At first we thought ODU was\u00a0a cute story that might eventually provide\u00a0solid competition for the Dukes, but as the Monarchs have shown this year, “eventually” is now and we’ve been alternately fretting and throwing out irrational bursts of\u00a0bravado all season.\u00a0Rob and I were talking yesterday and we agreed we haven’t been this fired up for a regular season game since Appy in ’08.\u00a0 I know, I know that sounds crazy, but after Appy the rest of the\u00a0’08\u00a0regular\u00a0season, even the UR and Nova games, didn’t bring this kind of “I have no idea what’s going to happen but everything seems to depend on the outcome” type feeling.\u00a0 Basically after that comeback and with Rodney at the helm, I felt great about the Dukes every week that year.\u00a0 The last two years the wheels came off too early in the season to ever get psyched up for a big late-season game.\u00a0 And of course, this is different in a way the upcoming UNH and UMass games, even given their potential implications, will never be.\u00a0 As both coaches noted this week, this rivalry seems huge before game 1 is even played.\u00a0 The shared commitment to football that will\u00a0differentiate ODU and JMU from UR and WM long-term and the agreed-upon disdain for hoops-only\u00a0geeks from GMCC and VCU means we’re joined at the hip, for better or worse.\u00a0 In the shifting landscape of collegiate athletics, the Monarachs are the closest thing to a sure thing right now if you’re asking the question “Who will be the Dukes biggest rival on and off the field two decades from now?”<\/p>\n

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

If you’re looking for solid X’s and O’s, check out Wednesday’s Q&A with ODU blogger and @VaBeachRep.\u00a0 Basically, ODU has two solid QB’s and a strong passing attack, something the Dukes have struggled with at times.\u00a0 A ton of experienced WR’s and allegedly rock-solid Special Teams allow them cash in with points and field position even when they fail to close drives with TD’s.\u00a0 JMU’s going to have to do less bending than usual this week.\u00a0 On defense, much to the chagrin of @defiantlydutch, ODU features Hofstra’s former\u00a0interior defensive line.<\/p>\n

Best defense for the Dukes this week is a great offensive performance.\u00a0 JMU will look to control the ball and the clock to keep ODU’s offense off the field.\u00a0 Weather’s going to be nasty, which should be advantage Dukes (assuming the backs can hang onto the ball).<\/p>\n

What it Means<\/strong><\/p>\n

It means even more right now, this season, than it does as the start of a long-term rivalry.\u00a0 Dukes are a 1\/2 game ahead of the Monarchs in the standings and with Maine and Towson still undefeated, JMU can really lock themselves into one of the 3rd or 4th playoff spots in the CAA with a win.\u00a0 A loss on the other hand would send them back into the conference melee, open the door for ODU, and set up an incredibly tall must-win in New Hampshire next week.\u00a0 This one is HUGE.\u00a0 Get this win, beat URI at home, split with UNH and UMass and the Dukes are hosting games in December!<\/p>\n

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

This week’s pick is Bell’s Double Cream Stout. The weather has changed and it’s Halloween but pumpkin beer’s moment has mercifully passed.\u00a0 Bell’s DCS will warm you up and makes a great breakfast tailgate beer!<\/p>\n

What Football has Meant to ODU<\/strong><\/p>\n

Players have doubled the number of students intent on\u00a0staying more than two years.\u00a0 Hampton Roads Tarheels fans have another bandwagon to jump on.\u00a0Hopefully more Blaine Taylor mustache sightings!\u00a0<\/p>\n

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

We respect what ODU has done so far and where they’re headed.\u00a0 And sometimes Mickey scares the hell out of us.\u00a0 But he always has the Dukes ready for big games, and from the insanity on the player’s twitter feeds, it’s safe to say they know this one qualifies.\u00a0 A slow start may spook us, but eventually the Dukes take over.\u00a0 The weather may keep the scoring low and strange, but our guess is Dukes pull away in the second half and win 26-17.\u00a0 (Settle down and have some\u00a0confidence\u00a0MegAbs!)<\/p>\n

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