Purple, I wouldn’t look at just the CSU game, but you’re right, the Phoenix haven’t really had a wow win yet. CSU has one win over a bad Hampton team by the way.

You’re right in highlighting that their passing D stat may be deceptive since that haven’t really faced a potent passing attack yet.

I watched the Elon/UNH game yesterday and, while they did win 30-9, they did not completely blow UNH out. It was a 24-9 at halftime, because UNH went for 2 for some reason.

It was essentially a 2 TD game, then Elon mustered only 2 FGs in the second half.

Elon does have some good pass rushers. I think our offensive line will be key, because I don't think DiNucci is going have the time he's had in each of the previous games.

This game concerns me. Dukes have had two blow out wins over our two biggest rivals. I hope they don’t read these boards and believe the weekly predictions of another blow out win.

I expect we are going to be the best team on the field in every game we play. We were last year too but we did not win the championship. It is going to be a challenge for the coaches to keep this team from being flat for a game along the way and Family Weekend is the one most likely for that to happen. Early start and a crowd of parents.

The Dukes need a challenge to keep them sharp. Elon may just be that team. I was at the game in Elon last year. The Dukes did not pull away until late. Nova, TU and SBU might be too. The other three don’t worry me much based on their season thus far.

This seems like it could be a problem for Elon.

do we not even predict scores anymore?

I expect more of the same, so i will predict the same.

Perps - 45 - committing crimes against the caa
hopefuls to heartbroken - 10

National Ranks of Elon's three FCS opponents for passing offense:

UNH - 99th 164.5 ypg
Furman - 118th, 98.8 ypg
Charleston Southern - 124th (last in the country), 33.3 ypg

Yeah... their 11th ranked pass defense stat is VERY deceptive when you consider all their FCS opponents are some of the worst in the country at passing. There hasn't been much to defend.

JMU by comparison. Opponent Pass O:

UR - 33rd, 267.4 ypg
WM - 67th, 206.8 ypg
NSU - 71st, 204.5 ypg
RMU - 76th, 198.3 ypg

(10-03-2018 06:52 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  This game concerns me. Dukes have had two blow out wins over our two biggest rivals. I hope they don’t read these boards and believe the weekly predictions of another blow out win.

I expect we are going to be the best team on the field in every game we play. We were last year too but we did not win the championship. It is going to be a challenge for the coaches to keep this team from being flat for a game along the way and Family Weekend is the one most likely for that to happen. Early start and a crowd of parents.

The Dukes need a challenge to keep them sharp. Elon may just be that team. I was at the game in Elon last year. The Dukes did not pull away until late. Nova, TU and SBU might be too. The other three don’t worry me much based on their season thus far.

Agree. Regardless of the scores, we have a lot to work on from an execution perspective. Rest of the season should be focused on reducing penalties, fumbles, INTs, 3 and outs, etc. as well as improving red zone efficiency. Play 2nd string as much as possible to build our depth.

In what could have easily been a rebuilding year, the staff has done an amazing job keeping this program at a high level. But if last year's final is any indication, we're going to need optimal execution to overcome bad calls and freak plays.

This team is absolutely fueled by last years loss to NDSU, IMO.

They have one single mission in mind, that is winning the whole fu%&ing thing.

(10-03-2018 10:54 AM)Dadgum Wrote:  This team is absolutely fueled by last years loss to NDSU, IMO.

They have one single mission in mind, that is winning the whole fu%&ing thing.

Yep. They've got a chip on their shoulders and don't have time for these teams in their way. Put them away and leave no doubt.

(10-03-2018 05:31 AM)Potomac Wrote:  Purple, I wouldn’t look at just the CSU game, but you’re right, the Phoenix haven’t really had a wow win yet.

Oh, I looked at all of their games so far. Probably their most impressive game was their 20-point loss to FBS S. Florida, who racked up over 500 yards of offense on the Phoenix, coasting to a 24-0 halftime lead, then letting off the gas. USF struggled, by the way, to beat ECU with a late, 4th quarter touchdown, 20-13.

Against a surprisingly awful New Hampshire, Elon could only muster a 4-yard average on nearly 50 totes (48). How well do you think they will do against our rush defense? They are quickly going to become a one-dimensional team, and they are not going to enjoy that dimension, either.

No purple shades here, just calling it the way I see it.

(10-03-2018 06:52 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  This game concerns me. Dukes have had two blow out wins over our two biggest rivals. I hope they don’t read these boards and believe the weekly predictions of another blow out win.

Our Dukes have a chip on their shoulder. They were the better team in Frisco in January. They know it, we know it, and NDSU knows it.

There is no amount of boasting we do on this board that will affect how hungry they are coming onto the field. They want to rip the heart out of every opponent and do it early. Coach will have them ready and they will have themselves ready.

Elon looks like a very good team on paper. They aren't when you dig a little and consider the level of competition they have played.

And, I am not boasting. I am calling it exactly the way I see it, based upon my objective study of the statistics.

Can we lay an egg? Sure. It happens to the best. Like our pass dropping exhibition in Frisco nine months ago.

I just don't see that happening against Elon in Bridgeforth. We are so vastly superior to Elon in every phase of the game, we would have to lay down on the field and refuse to play to lose this one.

I halfway hope Elon does put a scare in us. I started a thread on the Bison board last October, fearing that we would become complacent by pounding every opponent into the turf and not being seriously challenged. Weber was that challenge and the Dukes answered the call. I imagine we will face a real challenge again this year, but I don't expect it until the playoffs. Nova could be tough. The second half of our schedule is a step up, competition-wise.

Score prediction:

JMU Dukes - 56
U of Phoenix - 7

(10-03-2018 12:42 AM)Purple Wrote:  This is going to be another brutal whipping!

The game to look at in evaluating Elon, in my opinion, is the game against winless Charleston Southern, which was spanking Elon something fierce in the first half, then the wheels fell off their game in the third quarter, when they allowed the Phoenix 21 points, the final result being a 9-point Elon win, 31-22.

By all appearances, Elon sucks. Their defense couldn't stop the winless Buccaneers of Charleston Southern on the ground. The Bucs ran the ball down Elon's throat - 37 carries for 238 yards for 6.4 ypc average. Elon is especially susceptible to the big play. Our backs are going to have a field day! We could score four or five touchdowns in the first quarter.

Looking at the Charleston game, it is hard to gauge how good Elon's pass D is because Charleston Southern is such a horrible passing team. Against Elon, the Bucs were 3 for 12 passing for a phenomenal 26 yards. They completed nearly as many passes to Elon defenders (2 picks).

Offensively, the Phoenix appear to be a little better, but that is due to one back, Summers, who ran well against a normal defense. The Dukes do NOT field a normal defense! Summers will NOT light it up against the Dukes. I expect his ypc average to be around 3 yards, if that. Elon passed well against the (again) winless Bucs - 220 yards, but obviously JMU's d-backs and pass rush are going to shock them after playing the likes of Charleston Southern. I see another pick-six in Jimmy's near future.

Even Elon's special teams is pretty bad. Against Charleston Southern, the Phoenix averaged 30 yards per punt, with a long of 35. Nasty!

The Dukes should be up by 40 at the half. I predict the final score to be 59-10, Dawgs. Our offense could easily take the score into the 70s for this one, but I expect them to let off the gas in the 50s, with the second and third teams coming in late for mop-up, and they are likely to score too.

Well damn!

I was kinda expecting one of our more competitive games of the entire season. Bummed that I can’t go.

You make a pretty good case for this thing getting plenty ugly, plenty early.

No prediction, just

Go Duuuuukes!!!

Towson and SBU will be our toughest contests this regular season IMO. Elon will be third toughest (not including FBS).

I will likely have two, possibly 4 in 403, on the aisle if all four.

If all 4 it will have C4 parking as well.

Very bummed...

(10-03-2018 04:17 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  I will likely have two, possibly 4 in 403, on the aisle if all four.

If all 4 it will have C4 parking as well.

Very bummed...

still have tickets?

Looks like the weather for Saturdays game will be great.

Go Dukes!!

Brian

Looks like I'm going to have one in 210, one of our guys is backing out on going. $50 if interested

(10-04-2018 02:29 PM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  Looks like the weather for Saturdays game will be great.

Go Dukes!!

Brian

gonna be a PERFECT october day to tailgate at JMU. perfect.

(10-04-2018 03:28 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  Looks like I'm going to have one in 210, one of our guys is backing out on going. $50 if interested

$50? Is that face value? Damn man