I believe the running game was stronger in 2016 and proved it against a tougher schedule than this years' team.

(12-09-2019 03:19 PM)olddawg Wrote:  I believe the running game was stronger in 2016 and proved it against a tougher schedule.

2004 was magical = everything fell right from other teams getting knocked out, to fumbles, to bombs, to home game at W&M, to a lousy field at Chatty. I felt that way at the time.

2016, 2017 & this year are much better teams than we had in 2004. While we lost by a dropped pass in 2017, I think we were the best team in FCS for both years. This is the most talented and experienced team we have ever had. That said we may be facing the best NDSU team we've ever faced. Of course "if" we both get there it will be a hell of a game, and I will bring streamers.

(12-09-2019 03:25 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 03:19 PM)olddawg Wrote:  I believe the running game was stronger in 2016 and proved it against a tougher schedule.

2004 was magical = everything fell right from other teams getting knocked out, to fumbles, to bombs, to home game at W&M, to a lousy field at Chatty. I felt that way at the time.

2016, 2017 & this year are much better teams than we had in 2004. While we lost by a dropped pass in 2017, I think we were the best team in FCS for both years. This is the most talented and experienced team we have ever had. That said we may be facing the best NDSU team we've ever faced. Of course "if" we both get there it will be a hell of a game, and I will bring streamers.

2017/2016 teams are better than this years for us imo.

But I do not think this is anywhere close to ndsu best team.

I think we beat them if we play them.

(12-09-2019 05:42 PM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 03:25 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 03:19 PM)olddawg Wrote:  I believe the running game was stronger in 2016 and proved it against a tougher schedule.

2004 was magical = everything fell right from other teams getting knocked out, to fumbles, to bombs, to home game at W&M, to a lousy field at Chatty. I felt that way at the time.

2016, 2017 & this year are much better teams than we had in 2004. While we lost by a dropped pass in 2017, I think we were the best team in FCS for both years. This is the most talented and experienced team we have ever had. That said we may be facing the best NDSU team we've ever faced. Of course "if" we both get there it will be a hell of a game, and I will bring streamers.

2017/2016 teams are better than this years for us imo.

But I do not think this is anywhere close to ndsu best team.

I think we beat them if we play them.

To clarify - I did not say this is NDSU's best team. I said it's the best one we've faced.

I think this year's team is more experienced and talented than 2017/2016, but it's close enough for me that I can't yet say if it better or not.

I was with you earlier in the season with the way we were playing, but we've seemed to turn the corner and getting better every week. This is really a good team. They seemed to have cleaned up the pass defense a lot. We've settled on running backs. The defense is playing as I expected against the run. Polk is a big time play maker that opened up other parts of the offense.

The biggest weakness lately is the special teams coverage team. Ben had a great game, but I worry about the backyard passing style if people can pressure him.

We might be able to overpower anyone running the ball on offense with the receiving weapons we have. Hard to stack the box when we have the weapons we have.

IMO

1994 - Most underappreciated JMU team ever
2004 - Most nostalgic team
2008 - Most exciting team (mostly because of Landers)
2010 - Weirdest team ever (highest of highs, lowest of lows)
2016 - Best JMU team ever
2019 - Potentially 2nd best JMU team ever

(12-10-2019 02:03 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  IMO

2004 - Most nostalgic team
2008 - Most exciting team (mostly because of Landers)
2016 - Best JMU team ever
2019 - Potentially 2nd best JMU team ever

agreed.

if 2017 had finished the deal, they would have been ahead of 2016 for me.

I added a few others...

1994 deserves a mention somewhere on this thread

(12-10-2019 02:03 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  IMO

1994 - Most underappreciated JMU team ever
2004 - Most nostalgic team
2008 - Most exciting team (mostly because of Landers)
2010 - Weirdest team ever (highest of highs, lowest of lows)
2016 - Best JMU team ever
2019 - Potentially 2nd best JMU team ever

I think the 2017 team should be up there for the best JMU team ever. That defense was at an all time level and it took possibly the worst and most uncharacteristic performance with some conservative play calling to lose by 4 points

(12-10-2019 02:15 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  

(12-10-2019 02:03 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  IMO

1994 - Most underappreciated JMU team ever
2004 - Most nostalgic team
2008 - Most exciting team (mostly because of Landers)
2010 - Weirdest team ever (highest of highs, lowest of lows)
2016 - Best JMU team ever
2019 - Potentially 2nd best JMU team ever

I think the 2017 team should be up there for the best JMU team ever. That defense was at an all time level and it took possibly the worst and most uncharacteristic performance with some conservative play calling to lose by 4 points

Agree with 2017

2017 - One catch from perfection

(12-09-2019 03:25 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 03:19 PM)olddawg Wrote:  I believe the running game was stronger in 2016 and proved it against a tougher schedule.

2004 was magical = everything fell right from other teams getting knocked out, to fumbles, to bombs, to home game at W&M, to a lousy field at Chatty. I felt that way at the time.

2016, 2017 & this year are much better teams than we had in 2004. While we lost by a dropped pass in 2017, I think we were the best team in FCS for both years. This is the most talented and experienced team we have ever had. That said we may be facing the best NDSU team we've ever faced. Of course "if" we both get there it will be a hell of a game, and I will bring streamers.

I agree with all of that, except that this may be "the best NDSU team we've ever faced." I still don't think this year's smelly Bisons team possesses nearly the talent they have had in years past. IF they make it to Frisco, we'll find out.

these stats are now updated, see the original post for the link.

the most interesting thing to me is the total point differential
2016: +382 (15 games)
2019: +381 (14 games)

(12-10-2019 02:15 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  

(12-10-2019 02:03 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  IMO

1994 - Most underappreciated JMU team ever
2004 - Most nostalgic team
2008 - Most exciting team (mostly because of Landers)
2010 - Weirdest team ever (highest of highs, lowest of lows)
2016 - Best JMU team ever
2019 - Potentially 2nd best JMU team ever

I think the 2017 team should be up there for the best JMU team ever. That defense was at an all time level and it took possibly the worst and most uncharacteristic performance with some conservative play calling to lose by 4 points

Disagree, if the 2016 team played the 2017 team at their respective peaks, 2016 wins by 10+ imo.

(12-17-2019 01:00 PM)JMU08 Wrote:  

(12-10-2019 02:15 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  

(12-10-2019 02:03 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  IMO

1994 - Most underappreciated JMU team ever
2004 - Most nostalgic team
2008 - Most exciting team (mostly because of Landers)
2010 - Weirdest team ever (highest of highs, lowest of lows)
2016 - Best JMU team ever
2019 - Potentially 2nd best JMU team ever

I think the 2017 team should be up there for the best JMU team ever. That defense was at an all time level and it took possibly the worst and most uncharacteristic performance with some conservative play calling to lose by 4 points

Disagree, if the 2016 team played the 2017 team at their respective peaks, 2016 wins by 10+ imo.

The 1994 team was the first in JMU history to win a trophy (Lambert Cup), to have double digit wins in a season (10) and to win a home playoff game. We didn't have another double digit win season until 2004. While it didn't win a conference championship or a natty, it certainly was one of the most talented teams in JMU history and accomplished many firsts.

Had to look up the Lambert Cup. How do they determine the region for this one? I would have thought Maine would have won last year, but it looks like Colgate got the trophy.

(12-09-2019 03:25 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 03:19 PM)olddawg Wrote:  I believe the running game was stronger in 2016 and proved it against a tougher schedule.

2004 was magical = everything fell right from other teams getting knocked out, to fumbles, to bombs, to home game at W&M, to a lousy field at Chatty. I felt that way at the time.

2016, 2017 & this year are much better teams than we had in 2004. While we lost by a dropped pass in 2017, I think we were the best team in FCS for both years. This is the most talented and experienced team we have ever had. That said we may be facing the best NDSU team we've ever faced. Of course "if" we both get there it will be a hell of a game, and I will bring streamers.

This is not the best NDSU team we've ever faced. My opinion. You will see Saturday.

(12-08-2019 09:27 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I feel 2017 was the best JMU defense ever. The offense was good that year but not the best JMU offense of all time. 2008’s offense was mostly about Rodney but the defense was awesome too. It was a great team. 2019 is probably the best JMU offense ever. DiNucci has a lot to do with that statement but so do the RB, OL, WRs and TEs. We are very good at every position.

Let’s see how the season ends but if JMU wins it all this year, 2019 gets my vote for best team in history.

I completely agree. IMO, this is the best D line and linebacker crew we have had. Secondary has steadily improved, but there will never be a better secondary than Jordan Brown, Raven Greene and Jimmy Moreland. Never, ever!

This years offense is our best ever.

(12-17-2019 02:34 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  Had to look up the Lambert Cup. How do they determine the region for this one? I would have thought Maine would have won last year, but it looks like Colgate got the trophy.

I have no idea. I just know we won it.

(12-18-2019 07:14 AM)JMU_71 Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 02:34 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  Had to look up the Lambert Cup. How do they determine the region for this one? I would have thought Maine would have won last year, but it looks like Colgate got the trophy.

I have no idea. I just know we won it.

I have a feeling we will add another trophy to the shelf after this year.

(12-18-2019 02:34 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 07:14 AM)JMU_71 Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 02:34 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  Had to look up the Lambert Cup. How do they determine the region for this one? I would have thought Maine would have won last year, but it looks like Colgate got the trophy.

I have no idea. I just know we won it.

I have a feeling we will add another trophy to the shelf after this year.

We've already added one--the CAA trophy. Now let's add a "N" to that and get the NCAA trophy.

While we look back at that 2016 defense being special... remember they weren't all that for most of the year. It was improving a lot from the Withers era but had some pretty rough defensive outings (43 to Richmond, 39 to UNH). The turning point was the Villanova game when Schor went down. I remember a quote similar to 'the offense has been carrying us all season and today it was time for the offense to get on our backs.'