{"id":8826,"date":"2016-09-09T00:36:42","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T04:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=8826"},"modified":"2016-09-09T09:17:33","modified_gmt":"2016-09-09T13:17:33","slug":"jmusb-game-preview-2-central-connecticut-state-university-jmu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=8826","title":{"rendered":"JMUSB Game Preview #2: Central Connecticut State University @ JMU"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is as tough a preview to write as any we’ve done in seven plus years. CCSU after Lesshead St. is about as exciting as pre-Algebra. Seriously, the schedule designers should be curbed American History X style for this. And while we have fully come around to believing Bourne is not the responsible party for #CAA4lyfe, we have no sympathy of any kind for this type of schedule. Yes, the CAA is tough. Yes, an FBS game is necessary and enticing. But if the Dukes were to risk losing two of three out of conference by playing an attractive game, even an attractive game on the road, then that simply means they have to get to 6-2 in the CAA to make the playoffs at 7-4. Tall order? Sure it is. But if they can’t do that, they’re not a contender anyways so please please please no more MSU\/CCSU\/UNCCH starts to the season where we have no clue what kind of team we have till a month into the year. Alright, rant over and on to the game.<\/p>\n

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

Central Connecticut State University (0-1, lost to Lafayette of the Patriot League) at JMU (1-0), Bridgeforth Stadium, 4 p.m. Saturday<\/p>\n

MadiZone broadcast only<\/a>, but you’ll get the smooth stylings of Curt Dudley!<\/p>\n

What to Expect<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Alright

Alright Coach, impress us<\/p><\/div>\n

Beatings will continue until morale of subpar opponents improves. Which is to say, never. Look, Coach Houston is talking up CCSU’s stout D-Line and discussing how this is a big step up from Morehead because you know, the Blue Devils have scholarships in the NEC (although an NEC schollie is a bit like a Totino’s compared to Matchbox – not that there’s anything wrong with that of course), but really, the Dukes are significantly more talented and anything less than a three score victory would be disappointing. 80 points ain’t happening, but if CCSU scores more than 20, we can hit the red alert button. We really should care enough to look into the particulars of CCSU’s strong and weak points, but let’s be honest, it’s gonna be 90 degrees in the ‘Burg for a 4 p.m. game, we’re all gonna be sweaty, and the Dukes damned well better be up by a comfortable margin so we can all wiggle our way back to humanity’s greatest invention – conditioned air – as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Also, they’re playing the “Harmony Classic” next week when they host HBCU D2 Bowie St. which is apparently Bridgeport, CT’s way of trying to sell “diversity” or “multiculturalism” in a way that is 15-20 years behind the curve in a way that only a provincial Connecticut town can be. When you’re hosting the Bulldogs and think it’s a guarantee game, you simply have no business on the schedule with the Dukes (and that is giving full \u00a0credit to the generally badass Bulldogs). Also, when you’re the “blue devils” no one knows about, you generally suck, we award you know points, and may God have mercy on your soul.<\/p>\n

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

Connecticut is a piss-poor beer state. Taxes are high, creativity is zippy as it’s mostly NYC zombies who spend three hours a day or more commuting and pretend they have a “beach” (that’s accessible two months a year), and it just generally is one of those other New England states whose parents are now afraid of the greatest game ever invented. For that reason, we’re shunning our normal opponent-influenced BOTW selection and going with one of our other NE faves, Vermont’s Otter Creek Brewing’s Backseat Berner IPA. Rob tried so hard to prove we’re going to branch out from our hop-heavy selections last week but let’s be honest, nobody gives a shit about CCSU or our selection this week, so let’s choose \u00a0a widely-available solid standby that also happens to have fun art on the sixer.<\/p>\n

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

Dukes 45, Afterthought Blue Devils 20 – A 25 point spread sounds good, but we have a feeling this will be the type of result that a) concerns us and b) gives Coach H his players’ full attention in advance of the trip to UNC-CH.<\/p>\n