{"id":4576,"date":"2012-10-26T00:17:58","date_gmt":"2012-10-26T04:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=4576"},"modified":"2012-10-26T00:17:58","modified_gmt":"2012-10-26T04:17:58","slug":"homecoming-preview-jmu-v-georgia-st","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=4576","title":{"rendered":"Homecoming Preview: JMU v. Georgia St."},"content":{"rendered":"

Now this is a traditional HC opponent! \u00a0Used to be teams at high school and college at every level went out and scrounged the bottom of the barrel to find an opponent for Homecoming that was certain to provide the nostalgic fans (and potential donors) with the type of feel-good outcome they expected. \u00a0But life in the CAA has gotten tough during the last decade and the Dukes have\u00a0occasionally been forced to entertain a less-than-ideal high quality HC opponent. \u00a0Thankfully, things are back to normal this year as Georgia St.’s only season in the CAA is shaping up to be one long string of ass-kickings (except for URI who they beat worse than JMU did of course).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Giant <\/em>Elephant in the Room<\/strong><\/p>\n

The truth of the matter is if this game is anything less than a very comfortable Dukes win, it will be both disastrous and shocking. \u00a0But all of us have one enormous thing to be excited about even if it’s a laugher: the starting debut of the Ginger Giant! \u00a0True freshman QB Michael Birdsong replaces Justin Thorpe and hopes are inappropriately high among the faithful after he provided a huge spark and nearly fueled a miraculous comeback late against Richmond last week. \u00a0For the record, JT has been dealing with a seriously injured finger on his throwing hand and issued a solid apology for his sideline reaction after being pulled last week and we hope fans will respect that, wish him well, and pull for him in whatever capacity he can contribute to the team going forward this season. \u00a0One thing’s for sure, with his athletic ability and experience, he hasn’t seen the last of the field for this team and while we’re excited about the potential of the Giant, at this point it’s just potential and JMU will need Thorpe in some capacity during the stretch run and hopefully the playoffs.<\/p>\n

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

Look, usually we try to give you a detailed breakdown on the opponent, but Georgia St. really is that bad. \u00a0We’re talking St. Francis bad. \u00a0After launching their football program and ambitiously playing home games at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the Panthers have pretty much done the exact opposite of fellow newbie ODU. \u00a0Other than the fact they’re also going FBS next year when they’ll join the SunBelt (really this will give them better chances for victories than this one time through the CAA), they’ve done none of the promising and begrudgingly admitted positive things the Monarchs have. \u00a0They have an ancient coach in Bill Curry. \u00a0Yes, that Bill Curry. \u00a0Apparently he must still be good at fundraising because he’s lost whatever recruiting touch he had and they’ve literally resorted to dumping cash from the ceiling of the stadium to try to draw fans to watch this putrid outfit. \u00a0So all that said, we’ll leave the Phil Steele FCS Preview in the basement bathroom and just tell you there is absolutely no excuse for less than a butt-whippin’, inspired performance from the Dukes. \u00a0Oddly, the other GSU does have a decent secondary so it will be interesting to see how the GingaNinja throws this week.<\/p>\n

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

With the combo of HC and the approaching Frankenstorm, we’ll go against our usual tendency and actually go with something that could be considered “seasonal.” \u00a0No, it’s not any crappy, overhyped pumpkin beer. \u00a0But rather we’re going with Albemarle Ciderworks’<\/a> Royal Pippin. \u00a0Damn right cider’s a thing now, and Virginia happens to be one of the country’s best cider regions. \u00a0Royal Pippin is made entirely with Virginia’s own Albemarle Pippin apples. \u00a0It’s not sweet and is almost more champagne-like than any crummy Hornsby’s you may be familiar with. \u00a0Given the champagne comparison, it will hold up to whatever your Homecoming tailgate foods of choice happen to be.<\/p>\n

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

Ginger Giant is a tad shaky as the nerves and pressure of expectancy catch up a bit, but the Dukes defense turns in a big bounce-back performance after being embarrassed last week. \u00a0Dukes 34, Georgia St. 7.<\/p>\n

p.s. <\/strong>If you haven’t already, read our Open Letter below and share with any current students you may know. \u00a0Thanks everyone for the comments lately!<\/p>\n