{"id":6073,"date":"2013-10-10T22:37:48","date_gmt":"2013-10-11T02:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6073"},"modified":"2013-10-10T22:37:48","modified_gmt":"2013-10-11T02:37:48","slug":"richmond-ticks-jmu-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6073","title":{"rendered":"Richmond Ticks @ JMU Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ticks\"<\/a>Well, it’s one of those weeks. \u00a0One of the only weeks we’ll miss when the CAA is finally behind us – Tick Week! \u00a0Thankfully for us fans, it’s heated already and we haven’t even reached the end of the week. \u00a0Time to forget about conference realignment, forget about suspended hoops players, forget about the Carr Report, the UD collapse, coach resignations, and even forget about firing other coaches. \u00a0The only thing that matters is the answer to a single question: You rootin’ fer Dukes, bud?!<\/p>\n

The Bad Blood<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, we’re being referred to by the Philly\/Villanova press<\/a> as “hill people” in advance of this one. Not even entirely sure if they’re calling us bumpkins or trying to negatively reference our DC-centric alumni-base, but needless to say, we’ll be storing this bullshit up for an enormous Homecoming showdown, complete with a massive JMUSB tailgate in Godwin Lot, on November 2 against Villanofun.<\/p>\n

More important to the matter at hand, Stephon Robertson correctly noted during a radio interview Tuesday that\u00a0\u201cRichmond, oh it\u2019s just such bad blood. It\u2019s such bad blood. They don\u2019t like us. We don\u2019t like them. And it\u2019s going to be that way, probably, Saturday.\u201d Going on to specifically discuss the Dukes ugly OT loss in Poormond in 2010, the nation’s best defensive player by a country mile said\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll just never forget that game specifically because their fans were really just obnoxious, and I just think it was the way they were, and then the players, the way they were. I didn\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

ItsyBitsyTick Wide Receiver #29 Stephen Barnette than started running his stupid maw by responding with\u00a0\u201cWe don\u2019t like their fans. Heck, I don\u2019t like their professors. I don\u2019t like anything about JMU, their gold or purple. So we\u2019re just fired up, ready to go.\u201d \u00a0His stupid ass then took to Twitter (@Scooba_Steve29 – have fun everybody!) where he announced “Hahaha Stephon Robertson is wack!!!! I can’t wait to talk some (S) Saturday!!!”<\/p>\n

Needless to say, we’ll be terrified for two reasons the first time this little kid goes over the middle this week for two reasons. First, we really need Steph to avoid anything that gets him a 15 yarder, but second, we’re also legitimately concerned for this young man’s safety. \u00a0Good luck kid.<\/p>\n

The Purple Wave<\/strong><\/p>\n

There’s a huge JMU fan out there (DP) many of you may know that used to post for years on the old CAA Zone message board as The Purple Wave and produce a weekly newsletter\/preview of the same name during football season, often filled with solidly humorous hatred of the week’s opponent. \u00a0But like so many of us, life got in the way and he was forced to hang it up. \u00a0But thankfully for all of us, he resurfaced this week with a special edition of the Purple Wave just for Tick week that is so good that we feel like we have to share:\u00a0https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/thepurplewave\/<\/a>\u00a0Enjoy! And please take his tailgating\/rootin’ suggestions to heart.<\/p>\n

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

The Ticks have switched to an almost entirely pass-focused attack this year. Given the spotty play of our defensive backfield this could be trouble, but as we’ve seen before when a Dukes front seven knows they can pin their ears back and rush the passer, they can make it ugly in a hurry. \u00a0Just ask “The Hoodie” himself Aaron Corp about the black-shirted JMU defense two years ago!<\/p>\n

Ticks are coached by former Liberty HC Danny Rocco, who has always produced a decent gameplan for facing JMU. \u00a0Of course, that was mostly during the MM\/Durden\/Thorpe days and it will be interesting to see if the O’Cain\/Birdsong combo can orchestrate a little sumpin’ sumpin’ this weekend! \u00a0After all, it was at Poormond last year that the legend of the Ginja Ninja began when he came off the bench, ran the hell over some Tick defender for a touchdown, and very nearly led the Dukes to a stunning comeback in his first collegiate action.<\/p>\n

On the Line<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no overstating the ramifications of this game for either team. \u00a0It’s a true desperation situation for the Ticks as they’ve started 2-3, 0-1 with a home loss to CAA contender Maine and an out-of-conference loss to another likely bubble team out of conference in Gardner-Webb. \u00a0For the Dukes this is very likely the make-or-break game in the season. Win and they move to 5-2 with the toughest part of the schedule to come after next week’s bye. \u00a0That would mean a 3-2 record down the stretch would give them a great shot at a playoff berth. \u00a0Lose, fall to 4-3 with ‘Nova and @ Towson yet to come, and it will be severely uphill all the way in.<\/p>\n

Coverage<\/strong><\/p>\n

BFS is the place to be, but just in case, it’s pretty cool to know this is the NATIONAL game on NBC Sports Network this week. \u00a0Production will be top-notch, but check your local listings for what channel to find NBCSN on as it’s moved around a bit lately on some providers.<\/p>\n

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

Found this incredible surprise this summer and have been saving it for a worthy opponent and some actual fall weather (screw the rain by the way and don’t discount the Purple Wave’s suggestion of bourbon in case of inclement conditions). Seriously love everything about this balanced (i.e. perfect for fall and not even crazy hoppy as is my usual) offering from Indeed Brewing Co. in Minneapolis. \u00a0My favorite “find” of the year is definitely their Midnight Ryder American Black Ale<\/a>. The only place I’ve found it is at Red, White & Bleu in Falls Church, but if you see these rather artistic cans, do not hesitate and buy as much as possible.<\/p>\n

\"Can<\/a>

Can the Dukes repeat what they did to Aaron Corp two years ago?! We think they’ll give it a good run!<\/p><\/div>\n

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

Pain for the Ticks. Also, Ticks are seriously the worst living organism on the planet (well, besides ODU “fans”). \u00a0Not sure the Dukes can match the sacktastic domination of two years ago, but Robertson, Steele, and Marlowe are the type of game-changing players on the defensive side that the Ticks just haven’t seen this year. We think the Dukes ride a very balanced attack with contributions from DQS, Abdullah, Cheatam, Brown, Smith, and Hunter all helping the Ninja finally achieve a signature victory.<\/p>\n

Dukes 30, Ticks 21<\/p>\n

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