![\"Feed](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jmusportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/Daniel-Brown-2-web.jpg\")
<\/a>Feed the Beast, this team can’t stop him!<\/p><\/div>\n
Alright, on to football.<\/p>\n
The Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n The Dukes have not won a road game all year. \u00a0Let that sink in before we all get fired up after last week’s win. And just like last week, this week’s Wildcats are playing for their playoff lives at 3-2 just like the Dukes in the CAA. \u00a0At 4-4 overall, UNH’s best-in-FCS playoff streak is basically on life support already with four losses, especially since they only play 11 games this year while most teams play 12. \u00a0So really this amounts to an elimination game again.<\/p>\n UNH is always tough at home, and generally plays close games. \u00a0None of their losses (Central Michigan, Lehigh, Towson and W&M) are terrible and like the Dukes, their best win was over Villanova at home (a game in which they converted a 2-pointer for the win after blowing a big lead late). \u00a0Last week, like the Dukes they were completely shut down at William & Mary, only they were actually shutout 17-0.<\/p>\n Unlike past UNH teams, this one is not quite as high-flying and is more balanced in terms of run\/pass than we’re used to seeing from them. \u00a0However, just like past UNH teams, they’re suspect on defense – and this year that comes complete with poor tackling. \u00a0Wildcats have actually never tackled well, but have always created big plays on D and the Dukes will need to protect the ball.<\/p>\n What’s at Stake for the Dukes<\/strong><\/p>\n Simply their playoff lives in all likelihood. \u00a0But find a way to win a road game here in the weak high school stadium in Durham, NH (i.e. nowheresville, USA) and the possibilities will really open up for them with Stony Brook coming to the ‘Burg next week. \u00a0Beyond that, wouldn’t it be nice to get the road monkey off their backs, stop the yo-yo season, and build some momentum.<\/p>\n Coverage<\/strong><\/p>\n This one kicks off at 12:30 p.m. as the national television game on NBCSportsNetwork. No game preceding the Dukes, so you won’t even have to “join in progress” like some places did last week. \u00a0We’ve actually gone\u00a0bona fide<\/em> this week and worked with the actual JMU Alumni Association chapter (in our case the MetroDukes) on a viewing party. \u00a0I’ll be coordinating the first-ever Falls Church gathering at Dogwood Tavern so stop by, say hi, and join us to root! (Note: weather permitting, we’re going to take over the new roof deck\/terrace thing, so be prepared). \u00a0MetroDukes are also continuing the great new viewing party at Penn Social for you younger, hipper folks downtown (younger and hipper covers everyone reading this in all likelihood relative to us). \u00a0If you know of other locations, let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n Beer of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n After the desperation and excess of Homecoming last week, even though we want something that will stand up to a cold New Hampshire mid-November day, we’re going to bring this back to something sensible. \u00a0Something with actual flavor, but still capable of sessioning for an early kickoff. \u00a0You can never go wrong with Stone Pale Ale. \u00a0Yes, Stone goes nuts with some of their more adventurous offerings, but this is a GREAT example of a traditional Pale that’s one step removed from the original Sierra.<\/p>\n Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n Dukes 31, Wildcats 21 – Repeat of last week, this time on the road, and we are rolling!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n