I am a former JMU student after going to the beautiful university with the extremely passionate campus life for two and a half years. I loved every minute of going to JMU and I hope I can go back to complete my degree at some point. However, I have continued to follow their football team along with other sports. So without further ado let’s delve into a little recent history of JMU football
JMU hasn’t been to the FCS Playoffs since 2011. Struggles have come to James Madison’s football team the last two years especially on offense. Unfortunately when you play in the top FCS conference in the nation, a lack of offense will hurt you. However, that all seems to be changing this year. Out goes Head Coach Mickey Matthews who lead the Dukes to the 2004 National Championship. Gone is Daquan Scott, the Dukes’ stud running back. Gone is CAA defensive player of the year Stephon Robertson. In comes new Head Coach Everett Withers former defensive coordinator from THE Ohio State University. In comes a collection of new players including QB Vad Lee, transfer from Georgia Tech. And hopefully, in comes an improvement to the team.
The first three games for JMU’s 2014 season went more or less what I expected. An opening game loss to Maryland wasn’t a surprise especially in College Park. However, I was expecting a little more from the Dukes. The offense looked very inept only managing 7 points in the 52-7 loss and that was likely scored against Maryland’s second or third strings. Vad Lee had a poor day only racking up 141 yards and throwing two picks. However after only beating one FBS opponent in its recent history (Virginia Tech in 2010) there wasn’t much you could take away from this game. However it still had me worried.
The following weekend, JMU traveled to Pennsylvania to take on the Mountain Hawks of Lehigh University. Lehigh, coming out of the Patriot League finished 9-3 the previous season and could prove to be a tough opponent. The Dukes struggled in the first half and were down 21-10 at halftime. But they were able to pick it up in the second half with 3 TD drives and finished the game off by blocking the Lehigh FG attempt at the end of the game to seal the 31-28 victory. Vad Lee had a much improved day racking up 356 yards of total offense and threw two TD passes. The Dukes ended the game with 606 yards of total offense.
The third week of the season pitted the Dukes against the Red Flash of St. Francis (PA). It was an all-around better performance from the Dukes despite the game staying close throughout the first half. A much calmer day for Vad Lee through the air only accumulating 147 yards with 2 TDs and an INT. But he was a beast on the ground accumulating 174 yards including a 76-yard scamper for a TD. Jauan Latney, the Dukes’ main RB, also eclipsed the 100 yard mark on the day. Overall the Dukes had 338 yards on the ground and 485 overall. Redshirt Senior Daniel Brown had 9 catches for 63 yards and 2 scores on the day. The Dukes finished off the game with 14 unanswered points after St. Francis had brought the game to within two. The Dukes forced 4 turnovers on the day which sounds good but allowing 420 yards of total offense to the Red Flash is not a very good stat. The dukes should have been able to walk over St. Francis and beaten Lehigh in more convincing fashion. I’m still not convinced this team has shown it’s true colors be that good or bad. The rushing defense must improve if the Dukes are going to stand a chance against some of the top teams in the CAA.
Here are my score Predictions for the rest of the season. Obviously I’m no expert but these are based on what I’ve seen from the Dukes and the other CAA teams so far and are also based on the recent history of each series. It doesn’t go without saying that these predictions are from what I’ve seen so far and I could obviously be saying something completely different weeks from now. I will still continue to go over each game in depth as they are played and refer back to these predictions.
9/20: @Villanova- A very tough way to open CAA play against a very tough opponent in Villanova. This could get messy as Nova should have beaten Syracuse on the road, absolutely destroyed Fordham (a play-off team last year) 2 weeks back and are now coming off a bye week. The Dukes couldn’t win two years ago at Villanova however they did win last year at JMU. That being said, Nova is probably the strongest CAA team so confidence is low in this one.
Prediction: 37-13 Villanova
9/27: Home vs Delaware- If JMU can prove they belong against Nova then this could be a good game for the Dukes. They came out firing last year in Delaware only to have the Blue Hens come storming back and win the game. I haven’t seen the Dukes beat Delaware in my time at JMU but this could be the first. Delaware comes off a beat down from Pittsburgh and then a pretty good win over Delaware St. and a close win over Colgate. This could prove another tough test but I think the Dukes squeak out a close battle.
Prediction: 27-24 JMU
10/4: @Albany- JMU will make their first visit to the University of Albany. JMU comfortably beat the Great Danes in Bridgeforth Stadium last year. I expect the offense and defense to be more in sync by this point so I don’t see too many troubles in this game.
Prediction: 31-17 JMU
10/11: Home vs Towson- This should be an exciting game against the Tigers who are a much diminished team compared to their National Championship Runner-up squad of last year. Plus it’s Family Weekend so expect a raucous crowd for the game. We’ll have to see if Towson can turn around their season but a tough loss at home to Central Connecticut State does not spell good things for Towson. Another team I have not seen the Dukes beat but as of now that’s about to change.
Prediction: 34-24 JMU
10/25: @ Charlotte- Thank goodness the Dukes have a bye week after the Towson game because this could have been (and honestly could still be) a trip-up game for the Dukes. FCS Independents Charlotte came to Bridgeforth last year in a rainy cold game that saw the Dukes thrash the 49ers. However Charlotte seems to be off to a better start this year however hasn’t exactly faced the powerhouse schools. The reason this could be a trip-up game is (provided my predictions go according to plan) JMU will be coming off a 3-game win streak and it will be the week before Homecoming. However with the bye week wedged in there that should give ample time for the Dukes to prepare and settle down from the hopeful aforementioned 3 game win streak. I think the Dukes will still win this but look for it to be a little closer than expected.
Prediction: 21-17 JMU
11/1: Home vs William and Mary- Another potentially tough game for JMU. JMU is 2-1 in my career at JMU against W&M. My brother goes to William and Mary so we’ve made it a family tradition to go to those previous 3 games and it will be no different this year as I make my trip back to Harrisonburg for this game. However this one is Homecoming and the stakes are extremely high and the place will be rocking. This game could be the difference in whether or not JMU makes the playoffs. As the CAA has such an array of excellent football programs, this game would be a big momentum booster if JMU can pull out the win. My first game I saw in this series I traveled to Williamsburg to watch the Dukes win 20-14 in more comfortable fashion than the scoreline would suggest. The following year I watched one of the most exciting football games I’ve ever seen. The Dukes and Tribe fought till the end in a very defensive game and we were tied as we entered overtime. Both teams converted FGs on the opening possessions so we moved to double overtime. The Dukes scored a TD and were up 27-20 as the Tribe got the ball. The Tribe were able to score a TD but went for two and the ensuing pass was broken up in the end zone and the Dukes walked away with the emphatic 27-26 victory. However, JMU was ripped apart offensively and lost in Williamsburg last year 17-7. William and Mary could be a dark horse candidate for the CAA championship if they are able to keep up their success from last year. As for this game this will really depend on how the season goes but as for now even with that loud crowd in Bridgeforth, I’m going to say William and Mary takes a very close battle.
Prediction: 24-23 W&M
11/8: @Stony Brook- JMU will make its first trip to Stony Brook to take on the Seawolves in only the second meeting of the series. Last year the Dukes lost to Stony Brook at home in what many thought would be a win for the Dukes. This game was probably what pushed Mickey Matthews out of the Head Coaching job. This game was a very high scoring affair that ended 41-38. This year could be different for the Dukes, but I expect a very tough game on the road. The result of Homecoming could really determine the outcome of this one. As of now I’m going another tough high scoring loss.
Prediction: 37-34 Stony Brook
11/15: @Richmond- This could be an interesting game as I saw Richmond get absolutely dismantled by UVA. However, I think UVA is a much improved squad from last year but that’s for another day. JMU has played well against Richmond in the past. However playing at Richmond is not an easy task. Expect another high scoring affair for the Dukes in this rivalry.
Prediction: 41-37 JMU
11/22: Home v Elon- JMU welcomes CAA newcomers Elon to town for their final regular season game. I don’t know a whole lot about Elon, but I would expect the Dukes to finish strong here even if playoff hopes have been dashed by this point.
Prediction: 34-10 JMU
I have the Dukes finishing with an overall record of 8-4 (5-3). A solid record and obviously much improved from last year however I think a couple tough losses will see the Dukes miss the playoffs for a third straight year. The best I could honestly see out of the Dukes is a 9-3 (6-2) record which may just narrowly slip them into the playoffs depending on how other CAA teams do. I don’t really see the Dukes finishing under .500 for the year but a repeat 6-6 (3-5) record of last year isn’t out of the question if this team (especially defensively) doesn’t pick it up.