Hyman was out last week with an infection in his leg. Not sure how long he'll be out, but it's not major.

(09-18-2017 05:45 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Few things I want to hear before making a prediction.
-Will Sharp be playing?
-Will Hyman be playing (what's his injury)?
-Will Mac Patrick be playing? (Status of his injury).
-Will we see Alls in the 2nd half?

-Why didn't Holloway play vs NSU. Will he be playing?

Maybe Madia will get some answers..

JMU will win by at least 60 points.

I really like our "5th string" running back, true freshman Percy Agyei-Obese. I remember watching his HS highlights after I found out he committed and was really impressed by what I saw. And he didn't disappoint on Saturday. I think he hits the hole the quickest of any of our backs and carries defenders an extra 3-5 yards. His 100m PR was 10.94 seconds so he has good speed. I am hoping since his redshirt has been burned we will see more of him. Marshall, Woods and Agyei-Obese will be more than capable on Saturday if Sharp does not play.

JMU - 45

Maine - 10

(09-19-2017 07:13 AM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  I really like our "5th string" running back, true freshman Percy Agyei-Obese. I remember watching his HS highlights after I found out he committed and was really impressed by what I saw. And he didn't disappoint on Saturday. I think he hits the hole the quickest of any of our backs and carries defenders an extra 3-5 yards. His 100m PR was 10.94 seconds so he has good speed. I am hoping since his redshirt has been burned we will see more of him. Marshall, Woods and Agyei-Obese will be more than capable on Saturday if Sharp does not play.

JMU - 45

Maine - 10

I hope he has the patience to let the blockers develop a whole. This takes some special abilities and something Marcus is having to work on.

Everything I have heard is that Maine should have won the game @UNH's home opener earlier this year. Missed PAT aside, it sounded like there were opportunities that Maine left on the table but did not take advantage of. It's hard in game 1 of the season to know how much of that was the team still trying to gel vs. not being a well coached team or talent issues.

Past history tells me that Maine has prepared well for JMU and will give a very challenging effort being so rested. While I still think ECU's WRs are the best JMU will face all year, this Maine team will have the best O-line/D-line that JMU will have seen yet this season. I expect only Villanova and/or Delaware to have as good a D-line. ETSU even made running hard for the Dukes. I think we see JMU give up an INT, again... I think this is a factor of confidence as much as mistakes, and the WRs might be responsible as much as Schor (that is, route running mistake). Add in Maine's TO margin and why shouldn't this trend continue?

The result will be a tight contest, much to the chagrin of those thinking 40+ blowout. 35-24 JMU and it's a strong third quarter after a lackluster first half that seals the win. I'd love another blowout, but I think Maine will test this team very well. Like @ECU, defense keeps JMU in it until Maine's defensive starters wear down a bit and our high powered offense takes over.

You guys realize that a lot of our conference games last year were close right, including being down to Maine after three quarters. We blew out URI and Elon in conference (we beat Delaware pretty soundly but I don't consider that a blowout), who were equally as bad as two of the three teams we've played thus far.

If we win by more than two scores I will be surprised. That doesn't mean we won't dominate the game or look really good, but we aren't blowing Maine out.

(09-19-2017 07:58 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  Everything I have heard is that Maine should have won the game @UNH's home opener earlier this year. Missed PAT aside, it sounded like there were opportunities that Maine left on the table but did not take advantage of. It's hard in game 1 of the season to know how much of that was the team still trying to gel vs. not being a well coached team or talent issues.

Past history tells me that Maine has prepared well for JMU and will give a very challenging effort being so rested. While I still think ECU's WRs are the best JMU will face all year, this Maine team will have the best O-line/D-line that JMU will have seen yet this season. I expect only Villanova and/or Delaware to have as good a D-line. ETSU even made running hard for the Dukes. I think we see JMU give up an INT, again... I think this is a factor of confidence as much as mistakes, and the WRs might be responsible as much as Schor (that is, route running mistake). Add in Maine's TO margin and why shouldn't this trend continue?

The result will be a tight contest, much to the chagrin of those thinking 40+ blowout. 35-24 JMU and it's a strong third quarter after a lackluster first half that seals the win. I'd love another blowout, but I think Maine will test this team very well. Like @ECU, defense keeps JMU in it until Maine's defensive starters wear down a bit and our high powered offense takes over.

While I disagree, this is a good analysis and you bring up some good points. This JMU team is a completely different team and playing at a completely different level since the win at Richmond last year - particularly our defense. I will be very surprised if Maine scores 24 pts. I agree this will perhaps be our best test so far this season, but I've seen zero in thinking this Dukes team is going to lower its level of play. And, with everything that has happened over the last few days with their brothers - Trai & Cardon - I believe you will see an even more motivated team playing for them (read: not good news for the Black Bears).

(09-19-2017 08:03 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  You guys realize that a lot of our conference games last year were close right, including being down to Maine after three quarters. We blew out URI and Elon in conference (we beat Delaware pretty soundly but I don't consider that a blowout), who were equally as bad as two of the three teams we've played thus far.

If we win by more than two scores I will be surprised. That doesn't mean we won't dominate the game or look really good, but we aren't blowing Maine out.

Fair enough. You should put some money on Maine getting more than 3 TD's.

Yesolitis, You are correct. Maine had several late opportunities to tie or take the lead but ultimately choked against UNH. They played from behind but could never catch up. It looks even more head scratching when you see the beat down that UNH received to Holy Cross (although HC may be this season's top PL team fwiw).

I'll have to pore over the box score again to find out what those missed opportunities were for Maine. I can't remember exactly from 3 weeks ago.

(09-19-2017 08:03 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  You guys realize that a lot of our conference games last year were close right, including being down to Maine after three quarters. We blew out URI and Elon in conference (we beat Delaware pretty soundly but I don't consider that a blowout), who were equally as bad as two of the three teams we've played thus far.

If we win by more than two scores I will be surprised. That doesn't mean we won't dominate the game or look really good, but we aren't blowing Maine out.

Many CAA games included late trash time scores. I seem to recall only UNH (regular season), UR and VU truly going down the wire. WM and UD were close-ish, but never really in doubt. I think WM were driving to tie until Reynolds picked them off in the endzone. We struggled against WM for two reasons that no longer apply.
1) Kendall Anderson. An absolute stud RB who is no longer on their team. He is probably the top back in the leauge last year after Abdullah and maybe an injured Ibitoken-Hanks.
2) Our defense was still forming. The 2016 WM defense and today's defense are not even the same. We're suddenly pretty lights out.

(09-18-2017 05:45 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Few things I want to hear before making a prediction.
-Will Sharp be playing?
-Will Hyman be playing (what's his injury)?
-Will Mac Patrick be playing? (Status of his injury).
-Will we see Alls in the 2nd half?

-Why didn't Holloway play vs NSU. Will he be playing?

Maybe Madia will get some answers..

I am not sure Holloway is over his injury. He missed a lot of camp, wore a red shirt a lot. Looked a ways from being ready. There may be other reasons but I am thinking they didn't need him to risk it the past couple of weeks.

(09-19-2017 06:08 AM)mainejeff Wrote:  JMU will win by at least 60 points.

(09-19-2017 08:10 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(09-19-2017 08:03 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  You guys realize that a lot of our conference games last year were close right, including being down to Maine after three quarters. We blew out URI and Elon in conference (we beat Delaware pretty soundly but I don't consider that a blowout), who were equally as bad as two of the three teams we've played thus far.

If we win by more than two scores I will be surprised. That doesn't mean we won't dominate the game or look really good, but we aren't blowing Maine out.

Fair enough. You should put some money on Maine getting more than 3 TD's.

I think we will hold Maine under or at 20. I could see us winning something along the lines of 31-20 like last year, maybe 31-17, but I can't see us winning 50 - 7 like some people are hinting at.

(09-19-2017 08:30 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(09-19-2017 08:03 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  You guys realize that a lot of our conference games last year were close right, including being down to Maine after three quarters. We blew out URI and Elon in conference (we beat Delaware pretty soundly but I don't consider that a blowout), who were equally as bad as two of the three teams we've played thus far.

If we win by more than two scores I will be surprised. That doesn't mean we won't dominate the game or look really good, but we aren't blowing Maine out.

Many CAA games included late trash time scores. I seem to recall only UNH (regular season), UR and VU truly going down the wire. WM and UD were close-ish, but never really in doubt. I think WM were driving to tie until Reynolds picked them off in the endzone. We struggled against WM for two reasons that no longer apply.
1) Kendall Anderson. An absolute stud RB who is no longer on their team. He is probably the top back in the leauge last year after Abdullah and maybe an injured Ibitoken-Hanks.
2) Our defense was still forming. The 2016 WM defense and today's defense are not even the same. We're suddenly pretty lights out.

All fair points, but trash time points still count towards the final score. I said I could see us dominating, I just don't see the final score being more than 2 scores apart. I'd love to be wrong.

Maine/New Hampshire game:
1st half:
UNH 1st drive, TD 7-0
UM 1st drive, TD 7-7
UNH 2nd drive, Fumble 7-7 (no pts on UM's next drive)
UNH 3rd drive, TD 14-7
UM 4th drive, FG 14-10
UNH 6th drive, FG 17-10
UM 6th drive, Missed FG 17-10 (3 pts left off the board)

2nd half:
UM 9th drive, Missed FG 17-10 (6 pts left off the board)
UNH 10th drive, Interception
UM 10th drive, TD 17-17 (capitalized on a UNH TO. 1-2 on drives following TOs)
UNH 11th drive, TD 24-17 (game winning score)
UM 11th drive, TD 24-23 (missed PAT; 7 pts left off the board)
UM 12th drive, Interception
UNH 13th drive, Turnover on Downs
UM 14th drive, Interception

Turnover battle was even, 2-2. UNH barely out gained UM 383-352. UNH controlled TOP 32:18-27:42. Maine was 1-2 on drives following TOs while UNH was 0-2. Ultimately Maine left a potential 7 points off the board due to critical special teams mistakes. UM got desperate late in the game and UNH's D was there to turn the ball over and waste their drives. It looks like a classic case of the defense kept them in it but the offense let them down.

Nothing that I've seen in the one comparable game screams, "they've got a shot".

(09-19-2017 08:30 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(09-19-2017 08:03 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  You guys realize that a lot of our conference games last year were close right, including being down to Maine after three quarters. We blew out URI and Elon in conference (we beat Delaware pretty soundly but I don't consider that a blowout), who were equally as bad as two of the three teams we've played thus far.

If we win by more than two scores I will be surprised. That doesn't mean we won't dominate the game or look really good, but we aren't blowing Maine out.

Many CAA games included late trash time scores. I seem to recall only UNH (regular season), UR and VU truly going down the wire. WM and UD were close-ish, but never really in doubt. I think WM were driving to tie until Reynolds picked them off in the endzone. We struggled against WM for two reasons that no longer apply.
1) Kendall Anderson. An absolute stud RB who is no longer on their team. He is probably the top back in the leauge last year after Abdullah and maybe an injured Ibitoken-Hanks.
2) Our defense was still forming. The 2016 WM defense and today's defense are not even the same. We're suddenly pretty lights out.

Wes Hills might have been the top back in the league last year IF he wasn't so injury prone. On the occasion the guy was healthy (which was rarely) he was ridiculously good. Reason he won't be playing on Sundays.

(09-19-2017 08:48 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  I think we will hold Maine under or at 20. I could see us winning something along the lines of 31-20 like last year, maybe 31-17, but I can't see us winning 50 - 7 like some people are hinting at.

Personally, I see us winning by at least 2, maybe as many as 4 TDs. I think it'll be a 20 or 21 point win with a late-ish (4th quarter) score with back ups in the game to make it look closer than it really was.

(09-19-2017 09:00 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Wes Hills might have been the top back in the league last year IF he wasn't so injury prone. On the occasion the guy was healthy (which was rarely) he was ridiculously good. Reason he won't be playing on Sundays.

Didn't Hills play against us in our UD game last year and was pretty much the reason why that game was a close as it was? If a team has a top quality back, they're really hard to contain. They're going to get into the end zone. We just have to make sure to score more.

(09-19-2017 09:03 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(09-19-2017 08:48 AM)JMUNewbill Wrote:  I think we will hold Maine under or at 20. I could see us winning something along the lines of 31-20 like last year, maybe 31-17, but I can't see us winning 50 - 7 like some people are hinting at.

Personally, I see us winning by at least 2, maybe as many as 4 TDs. I think it'll be a 20 or 21 point win with a late-ish (4th quarter) score with back ups in the game to make it look closer than it really was.

I hope you're right, it would be much better for my blood pressure!

It's really hard to tell who is good in the CAA. RU loses to Soft Houston. UNH rolls GSU only to get rolled by HC. VU survives a bad Lehigh team but plays Temple close. I think we beat Maine by 2 TDs, but I could still see a world where they finish tied for 2nd or 3rd in CAA play.