So this projected first place team in the Sunbelt East caught me off guard a bit.

https://collegefootballnews.com/predicti...ng-version


Goes without saying, the Sunbelt will never be as predictable as the CAA.

Fresh out today - This should get some play for our doormats.

Duluth Trading Cure Bowl

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/2023...ed-spreads

They do have them as a big underdog.

https://collegefootballnetwork.com/james...ions-2023/

Another one with game by game predictions. Overall I tend to agree with how they are saying the season plays out

(05-15-2023 02:58 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  https://collegefootballnetwork.com/james...ions-2023/

Another one with game by game predictions. Overall I tend to agree with how they are saying the season plays out

I don't see 9-3.

The passing related unknowns leave me at a 8 or 7 win season.

Very unpredictable with all the games I see as relatively close.

I'd be very happy with a 9 win season.

Bill Connelly has the JMU win over/under at 8.6 ,projecting us to be kings of the east again.

8 or 9 wins would be solid, considering the harder schedule this year. I think our ceiling is a little higher if we click on offense again.

Also a good preview article released earlier
https://www.espn.com/college-football/in...yers-watch

(05-15-2023 03:14 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-15-2023 02:58 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  https://collegefootballnetwork.com/james...ions-2023/

Another one with game by game predictions. Overall I tend to agree with how they are saying the season plays out

I don't see 9-3.

The passing related unknowns leave me at a 8 or 7 win season.

Very unpredictable with all the games I see as relatively close.

I'd be very happy with a 9 win season.

i totally see 9-3.

I think McCloud is going to be great. and we are absolutely loaded everywhere else, except WR.

but i trust the coaches and the QB's to devise a scheme and execute it to help the WR's.

defense is going to be nasty.

(05-15-2023 03:50 PM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(05-15-2023 03:14 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-15-2023 02:58 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  https://collegefootballnetwork.com/james...ions-2023/

Another one with game by game predictions. Overall I tend to agree with how they are saying the season plays out

I don't see 9-3.

The passing related unknowns leave me at a 8 or 7 win season.

Very unpredictable with all the games I see as relatively close.

I'd be very happy with a 9 win season.

i totally see 9-3.

I think McCloud is going to be great. and we are absolutely loaded everywhere else, except WR.

but i trust the coaches and the QB's to devise a scheme and execute it to help the WR's.

defense is going to be nasty.

I think we are very underrated at WR. Yes there are still a lot of question marks, but we said the same thing before KT and Antwane Wells went on a tear for back to back seasons. We've got speed and more size there too, assuming the 2 deep is what I think it is.

Also lets not forget Cig "the QB whisperer" was the guy who coached up Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper, etc. at Bama...and the fact that if the RB room stays healthy this year there's not a chance a SBC team could stop fresh legs after fresh legs with the size and speed we have outside.

I said 8-3/7-4 last year and I think we got deeper and more talented in key areas. Not to mention I think there is more and more bulletin board material being used as fuel to the fire everyday. I think 10-2 would be a fair record for us.

(05-15-2023 02:34 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Fresh out today - This should get some play for our doormats.

Duluth Trading Cure Bowl

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/2023...ed-spreads

They do have them as a big underdog.

No respect for the Belt! They also have Appy as a 10 point dog to North Texas. Unless UNT has improved a ton over the past couple of years since we left Denton (we lived about three miles from campus), then Ape State is going to pound the Mean Green into the Boca Raton turf! UNT was 7-6 regular season last year. Arguably, the toughest team they played was UTSA who beat them twice. They still got a bowl, but lost, finishing the season 7-7.

I know App is down, but holy cow, UNT is barely a notch above UTEP and NMSU. No respect for the Belt! We are going to have to earn it, which we will.

(05-15-2023 02:58 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  https://collegefootballnetwork.com/james...ions-2023/

Another one with game by game predictions. Overall I tend to agree with how they are saying the season plays out

I agree with most of what this guy says, except I don't see some of those games being as close as he does, like UConn. GMAFB! I don't see them scoring 15 on us and I don't see us stopping at 27.

And, he praises the Troy defense as the difference in a game in which Troy will beat us? Really? He clearly doesn't know anything about our own defense?

And, he suggests that South Alabam is going to dominate our defense in a game he claims they will beat us in? Evidently, he has not seen our defense in action. As he exalts the fearsome South Alabam QB Carter Bradley, who he apparently believes can throw touchdown passes from the supine position, he obviously doesn't know the truth, which is Bradley is a transfer from mighty Toledo, where he entered the portal because he was replaced by a freshman. We have a couple of transfer QBs of our own, except they aren't from the the mighty MAC. They are from the PAC-12 and ACC. Whatever!

Also, look for Coastal's Grayson McMullet to fake another injury to keep from facing JMU's defense. If he doesn't, I pity the fool! But, no way, Grayson or Graysonless, will Coastal beat us.

Other than that, I believe Oliver is spot on!

(05-15-2023 03:50 PM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(05-15-2023 03:14 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-15-2023 02:58 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  https://collegefootballnetwork.com/james...ions-2023/

Another one with game by game predictions. Overall I tend to agree with how they are saying the season plays out

I don't see 9-3.

The passing related unknowns leave me at a 8 or 7 win season.

Very unpredictable with all the games I see as relatively close.

I'd be very happy with a 9 win season.

i totally see 9-3.

I think McCloud is going to be great. and we are absolutely loaded everywhere else, except WR.

but i trust the coaches and the QB's to devise a scheme and execute it to help the WR's.

defense is going to be nasty.

I agree on McCloud. He is going to be thrilled to play behind this offensive line and his stats will show it.

And, you are spot on, our D is going to be nasty! The loss of Ukwu just means next stud up, who may be better than the guy he is replacing.

9-3 is not improbable. We could do even better. But, for some mysterious reason, we always seem to implode in a game or two a season. That's just the way we roll. Only JMU can beat JMU this year!

I absolutely do not understand the projections for Coastal. They lost a ton, not to mention their head coach. And yet they are going to be a better team than last year? I just don't see it.
Someone who knows better than I do... please explain it to me.

I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

(05-16-2023 08:23 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

I'm not convinced that McCloud is the guy. I think it's very possible that it could be Barnett. And I don't mean that McCloud isn't going to be good, just that Barnett could beat him out for the position.
Regardless of who is under center, I have faith in either McCloud or Barnett.
The staff has been able to elevate almost every single QB. I don't see this season as any different. The difference is that there are two guys that are capable.
Barnett is probably a year away from being the guy, but it's very possible he's our starter this year. Hopefully it will be due to ability and not due to mistakes from the other.

(05-16-2023 09:16 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 08:23 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

I'm not convinced that McCloud is the guy. I think it's very possible that it could be Barnett. And I don't mean that McCloud isn't going to be good, just that Barnett could beat him out for the position.
Regardless of who is under center, I have faith in either McCloud or Barnett.
The staff has been able to elevate almost every single QB. I don't see this season as any different. The difference is that there are two guys that are capable.
Barnett is probably a year away from being the guy, but it's very possible he's our starter this year. Hopefully it will be due to ability and not due to mistakes from the other.

I'm glad we have the Bucknell game this year before UVA. Thinking we will see at least 2 QBs take some snaps that game. Will be interesting to see the progress from Spring.

(05-16-2023 09:16 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 08:23 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

I'm not convinced that McCloud is the guy. I think it's very possible that it could be Barnett. And I don't mean that McCloud isn't going to be good, just that Barnett could beat him out for the position.
Regardless of who is under center, I have faith in either McCloud or Barnett.
The staff has been able to elevate almost every single QB. I don't see this season as any different. The difference is that there are two guys that are capable.
Barnett is probably a year away from being the guy, but it's very possible he's our starter this year. Hopefully it will be due to ability and not due to mistakes from the other.

The little I saw of Barnett last year did not make me feel optimistic he'd be a 9 win QB this year.

(05-16-2023 01:48 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 09:16 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 08:23 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

I'm not convinced that McCloud is the guy. I think it's very possible that it could be Barnett. And I don't mean that McCloud isn't going to be good, just that Barnett could beat him out for the position.
Regardless of who is under center, I have faith in either McCloud or Barnett.
The staff has been able to elevate almost every single QB. I don't see this season as any different. The difference is that there are two guys that are capable.
Barnett is probably a year away from being the guy, but it's very possible he's our starter this year. Hopefully it will be due to ability and not due to mistakes from the other.

The little I saw of Barnett last year did not make me feel optimistic he'd be a 9 win QB this year.

No offense, but I wouldn't say judging a r-Freshmen's success/lack thereof on some garbage time play on the field is a fair assessment.
Rushing 4 attempts... 15 yards
Passing 1/1 14 yards
You think that's enough of a sample to determine whether or not he could win 9 games?
He certainly played much better this spring game and some said that he even played better than McCloud. I don't think that's a fair assessment either.
Cignetti, who generally tells it like it is, has always been incredibly complimentary of him and believes he has a future as a starter at JMU.
Cignetti's concerns with Barnett have zero to do with his skills and everything to do with just being able to give him enough snaps. Repetition is what he needs.
But right now he has to split time with McCloud. He has made it clear this is a true QB competition which means either McCloud hasn't separated himself from Barnett, McCloud is not good enough, or Barnett could just be good enough to be in the hunt for the starting position. Either way, McCloud is not the starter right now.
McCloud could end up being the best QB we've ever had. Barnett could end up warming the bench his entire career. Who knows.

To prove my point, how would you assess these stats:
Year 1:
1 game played
0 yards rushing
0 yards passing
Year 2:
8 games played
25 attempts, 212 yards rushing 2TDs
4/7 47 yards passing 1 TD
Year 3:
8 games played
24 attempts, 222 yards rushing 1 TD
4/6 passing, 29 yards 0 TDs
I think we can agree those aren't mind blowing numbers right. You might even say that player wouldn't win 9 games, right?

Guess who?


Rodney Landers

Just saying that even with a large sample size, stats can be deceiving to what a players true potential is. Just don't sell Barnett short just yet.

(05-16-2023 02:14 PM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 01:48 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 09:16 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 08:23 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

I'm not convinced that McCloud is the guy. I think it's very possible that it could be Barnett. And I don't mean that McCloud isn't going to be good, just that Barnett could beat him out for the position.
Regardless of who is under center, I have faith in either McCloud or Barnett.
The staff has been able to elevate almost every single QB. I don't see this season as any different. The difference is that there are two guys that are capable.
Barnett is probably a year away from being the guy, but it's very possible he's our starter this year. Hopefully it will be due to ability and not due to mistakes from the other.

The little I saw of Barnett last year did not make me feel optimistic he'd be a 9 win QB this year.

No offense, but I wouldn't say judging a r-Freshmen's success/lack thereof on some garbage time play on the field is a fair assessment.
Rushing 4 attempts... 15 yards
Passing 1/1 14 yards
You think that's enough of a sample to determine whether or not he could win 9 games?
He certainly played much better this spring game and some said that he even played better than McCloud. I don't think that's a fair assessment either.
Cignetti, who generally tells it like it is, has always been incredibly complimentary of him and believes he has a future as a starter at JMU.
Cignetti's concerns with Barnett have zero to do with his skills and everything to do with just being able to give him enough snaps. Repetition is what he needs.
But right now he has to split time with McCloud. He has made it clear this is a true QB competition which means either McCloud hasn't separated himself from Barnett, McCloud is not good enough, or Barnett could just be good enough to be in the hunt for the starting position. Either way, McCloud is not the starter right now.
McCloud could end up being the best QB we've ever had. Barnett could end up warming the bench his entire career. Who knows.

To prove my point, how would you assess these stats:
Year 1:
1 game played
0 yards rushing
0 yards passing
Year 2:
8 games played
25 attempts, 212 yards rushing 2TDs
4/7 47 yards passing 1 TD
Year 3:
8 games played
24 attempts, 222 yards rushing 1 TD
4/6 passing, 29 yards 0 TDs
I think we can agree those aren't mind blowing numbers right. You might even say that player wouldn't win 9 games, right?

Guess who?


Rodney Landers

Just saying that even with a large sample size, stats can be deceiving to what a players true potential is. Just don't sell Barnett short just yet.

My bad - I was thinking of last year's second string with 5 interceptions - Billy Atkins....

I don't even recall seeing Barnett play.

(05-16-2023 02:35 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 02:14 PM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 01:48 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 09:16 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(05-16-2023 08:23 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm optimistic and hopeful about McCloud. Cig has met or exceeded my expectations each year, but 9-3 isn't so easy in a solid conference FBS.

I'm not convinced that McCloud is the guy. I think it's very possible that it could be Barnett. And I don't mean that McCloud isn't going to be good, just that Barnett could beat him out for the position.
Regardless of who is under center, I have faith in either McCloud or Barnett.
The staff has been able to elevate almost every single QB. I don't see this season as any different. The difference is that there are two guys that are capable.
Barnett is probably a year away from being the guy, but it's very possible he's our starter this year. Hopefully it will be due to ability and not due to mistakes from the other.

The little I saw of Barnett last year did not make me feel optimistic he'd be a 9 win QB this year.

No offense, but I wouldn't say judging a r-Freshmen's success/lack thereof on some garbage time play on the field is a fair assessment.
Rushing 4 attempts... 15 yards
Passing 1/1 14 yards
You think that's enough of a sample to determine whether or not he could win 9 games?
He certainly played much better this spring game and some said that he even played better than McCloud. I don't think that's a fair assessment either.
Cignetti, who generally tells it like it is, has always been incredibly complimentary of him and believes he has a future as a starter at JMU.
Cignetti's concerns with Barnett have zero to do with his skills and everything to do with just being able to give him enough snaps. Repetition is what he needs.
But right now he has to split time with McCloud. He has made it clear this is a true QB competition which means either McCloud hasn't separated himself from Barnett, McCloud is not good enough, or Barnett could just be good enough to be in the hunt for the starting position. Either way, McCloud is not the starter right now.
McCloud could end up being the best QB we've ever had. Barnett could end up warming the bench his entire career. Who knows.

To prove my point, how would you assess these stats:
Year 1:
1 game played
0 yards rushing
0 yards passing
Year 2:
8 games played
25 attempts, 212 yards rushing 2TDs
4/7 47 yards passing 1 TD
Year 3:
8 games played
24 attempts, 222 yards rushing 1 TD
4/6 passing, 29 yards 0 TDs
I think we can agree those aren't mind blowing numbers right. You might even say that player wouldn't win 9 games, right?

Guess who?


Rodney Landers

Just saying that even with a large sample size, stats can be deceiving to what a players true potential is. Just don't sell Barnett short just yet.

My bad - I was thinking of last year's second string with 5 interceptions - Billy Atkins....

I don't even recall seeing Barnett play.

In that case, I could totally see why you would say that! :) Yeah, Atkins is definitely not a 9 game winner this year or any year! I absolutely agree there.
Barnett played in the last few mins of the Norfolk State game.

Barnett was a true Freshman last year and mostly wore the red jersey on the sideline. He was highly recruited QB who can move, but looking at his HS tape would rather keep his eyes downfield than tuck and run which is a good thing. That said he is an athlete and athletically should be successful running the same offense we ran last year.

All things being close to equal I would rather have Barnett play (if Cig thinks he is the guy long term) with some bumps along the way this year so that he is ready to be a stud in 2024 when it really matters.

(05-16-2023 07:30 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  I absolutely do not understand the projections for Coastal. They lost a ton, not to mention their head coach. And yet they are going to be a better team than last year? I just don't see it.
Someone who knows better than I do... please explain it to me.

The media love affair with Grayson McCall. He's back for one more year of eligibility.