I work in DC these days, not all that far from crumbling old RFK Stadium.\u00a0 While it holds a lifetime of nostalgia and warm memories for me for reasons well beyond the Skins (’94 World Cup, concerts, DC United games, the Nats inaugural season), playing in, or spectating for, a football game there nowadays against a mediocre opponent during a buttassed cold winter weekday afternoon is really not high on my list of sporting options.\u00a0 This occured to me when a co-worker and I briefly, ok jokingly, entertained the idea of heading over this afternoon to check out Toledo and Air Force in the Military Bowl.<\/p>\n
And then another thought chilled me in a way the 40 mph gusts in the city today never could.\u00a0 THIS could be exactly what we have to “look forward” to in the event JMU moves up to FBS football in the next couple of years.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, THIS\u00a0really may be the\u00a0absolute best we can\u00a0hope for in the next decade in the scenarios currently under consideration for the Dukes to move up. \u00a0Look, I really do support the idea of a new East Coast Conference with a great mix of old and new rivals (though geographically sensical unlike other “local” conferences).\u00a0 And beyond that, I absolutely love the idea of being relevant, even if that means an occasional Tuesday night home game for television and early season trips to Baton Rouge, but let’s not kid ourselves that we’d rather be Toledo today in that ridiculous exhibition that most of JMU nation would completely tune out as opposed to North Dakota St. or Sam Houston St. prepping for a championship game, even if it is one taking place at 11 a.m. local time the hungover morning after the Cotton Bowl down the street.\u00a0 But just wanted to point out this chilly reminder to be careful what you wish for.\u00a0 That said, as we’ve mentioned in this space before, current FCS alignment just doesn’t appear to be sustainable and the most likely thing seems to be a parting of the 20 or 30 programs that “care,” of which JMU is clearly one of the top handful, and the rest.\u00a0 In this case, the 20 or 30 top programs would be headed for FBS bantha fodder with the MAC’s, SunBelch’s, and WAC’s of the world, while those left behind would be\u00a0falling back into something like current D2 status.\u00a0 If that’s the case, I like where JMU is headed.\u00a0 Not to mention if there ever is a more wide-open playoff scenario (not likely with or w\/out the NCAA being involved of which we are both staunchly opposed) for FBS down the road….<\/p>\n
….well at least that dream can keep a Dukes fan warm on a cold day at the Military Bowl.<\/p>\n
In other news, Dukes take on Rhode Island from the A-10 in hoops tomorrow night and HOST ODU next Monday, January 2nd.\u00a0 As this is a holiday for many folks and the trip to the ‘Burg might not be out of the question, take note that admission to the game is FREE for all fans wearing purple.\u00a0 Seriously, this is just awesome so hopefully JMU can turn out a big crowd to watch them finally slay their nemesis.<\/p>\n