(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

Their front 7 looks really good and they have good wide receivers too. Most know Jaylen Samuels but Kelvin Harmon is really good too. They can upset Clemson, FSU or Louisville but odds are 4th at best in that division. I could see an 8-4 season though.

(07-22-2017 11:19 AM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 10:46 AM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 10:24 AM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-20-2017 11:50 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Pretty much going with teams JMU hasn't played, or at least in a quarter century or so.

1. Penn State
-106.5k capacity stadium (only 2nd? to Michigan)
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Roughly about 3.5 hrs from JMU & DC, 5 hrs Richmond, 6-7 from Tidewater, so for almost everyone would be at least 1 overnight.
-Only about a 3 hr drive from where I live outside of Philadelphia.

2. Tennessee:
-102.5k capacity stadium.
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase (JMU, DC/Nova, Richmond, Tidewater), little further than PSU. Roughly between 5-8 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase, so would be 1-2 overnights for everyone.
-9 hr drive for me, but enroute I could visit family in the Shenandoah Valley, same as I usually do for JMU home games.
-Only an hr from Gatlinburg & the Great Smokies, people could make it a 4-5 day trip (or longer) and spend time in the Smokies.

3. Pitt:
-For all the reasons that Purple mentioned.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase, a little further than PSU. Roughly between 4-7 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase..
-Only about a 4.5 hr drive for me.

4. Syracuse:
-Bulk of the JMU fanbase would between 7-9 hour drive, too far for some. Bout a 4 hr drive for me.
-I'd get a day of fishing in on the Salmon River about 1/2 hr+ further north. Have done double digit guided float trips up there in the last 8 years..

5. Navy:(yeah I know not P5) For all the reasons already mentioned, 1-4 hrs from the bulk of the JMU fanbase. I'm a couple hours drive.

6. Army: (yeah I know not P5): For all the reasons already mentioned, 5-7 hours drive from the bulk of the JMU fansbase, I'm about 2 1/2 hrs.
-Early October would be best with the fall foliage.

7. UVA: Just to beat them again.

8. Buffalo:(yeah I know not P5)
-7 to 10 hours drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase (6+ for me), so a lot would fly.
-Certainly winnable.
-This would be purely to do Niagara Falls, about a 1/2 hr north of Buffalo (would definitely want it to be a early Sept game). For anyone who hasn't seen them, its worth the trip IMHOP. I've been there, my elderly mom hasn't, so a game @ Buffalo would be an excuse to take her.

All of these would be good, although JMU football is about the only reason I can think of in life to go to Buffalo. Only thing is based on my observation, JMU seems to concentrate a lot of recruiting resources to the Carolinas. They probably spend more time there than anywhere outside of VA. So, I think that's why we haven't really seen scheduling going further North than Maryland. Probably why you see UNC, NC State, Duke, ECU, WVU. If they stay with that strategy, some other good opponents might be Wake, perhaps Vandy, and South Carolina (although not likely after Houston's Citadel team knocked them off). Although I'd love to get to a game at Clemson, I'd be a little worried about that getting ugly.

A game at Buffalo would be a waste of our one fbs game IMO. The MAC connection is of no benefit at this point, and the regional fbs games we currently have scheduled are great for a majority of our fan base. Penn St not a bad idea, as I know we have a fairly large contingency that would drive to that game. Syracuse? Not so sure about that one either.

Yeah, of all mentioned, Buffalo doesn't get me very excited either and the payday would not be substantial at all. I'd much rather play someone like Marshall if it's not going to be a P5. I've been through Syracuse several times on the way to Canada and I agree with you on that one as well. It's actually kind of a depressing town to be honest so I don't think it'd bring much allure for our fans to make that trip. Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but if we're gonna go North, there are more desirable places, some of which were noted. Rutgers might be a good one as well.

All this said, I think we all realize that these things are dictated by the FBS schools so in some sense we have to kind of take what we can get.

Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River (or Lake Ontario out of Oswego, NY)

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me (and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

(07-22-2017 02:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River..

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

This is why JMU needs to be proactive and form a new conference which includes Hawaii, UNLV, Nevada (Reno), Utah State (for the snow skiing), American University in San Juan PR, Bermuda College, and Nevada Career Institute (Las Vegas). We need to play an 8-game football schedule each season all on the road. All men's and women's hoops games? On the road. All other JMU sports vs conference foes? You guessed it...that's right...on the road.

Recruiting will soar. These will become our proverbial "peers" that people yack about all the time here. People might ask how the hell will we pay for all of this travel. That's easy. Throw a few games against the spread, then invest those winnings at a craps table while in Vegas or Reno. Expansion opportunities include colleges in the Canadian Rockies (more great skiing opportunities, plus the entire Great White North TV market), Trump University, and some colleges in the Alps.

:>)

(07-22-2017 03:04 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 02:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River..

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

This is why JMU needs to be proactive and form a new conference which includes Hawaii, UNLV, Nevada (Reno), Utah State (for the snow skiing), American University in San Juan PR, Bermuda College, and Nevada Career Institute (Las Vegas). We need to play an 8-game football schedule each season all on the road. All men's and women's hoops games? On the road. All other JMU sports vs conference foes? You guessed it...that's right...on the road.

Recruiting will soar. These will become our proverbial "peers" that people yack about all the time here. People might ask how the hell will we pay for all of this travel. That's easy. Throw a few games against the spread, then invest those winnings at a craps table while in Vegas or Reno. Expansion opportunities include colleges in the Canadian Rockies (more great skiing opportunities, plus the entire Great White North TV market), Trump University, and some colleges in the Alps.

:>)

I'll have whatever he's been drinking...

(07-22-2017 04:53 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 03:04 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 02:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River..

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

This is why JMU needs to be proactive and form a new conference which includes Hawaii, UNLV, Nevada (Reno), Utah State (for the snow skiing), American University in San Juan PR, Bermuda College, and Nevada Career Institute (Las Vegas). We need to play an 8-game football schedule each season all on the road. All men's and women's hoops games? On the road. All other JMU sports vs conference foes? You guessed it...that's right...on the road.

Recruiting will soar. These will become our proverbial "peers" that people yack about all the time here. People might ask how the hell will we pay for all of this travel. That's easy. Throw a few games against the spread, then invest those winnings at a craps table while in Vegas or Reno. Expansion opportunities include colleges in the Canadian Rockies (more great skiing opportunities, plus the entire Great White North TV market), Trump University, and some colleges in the Alps.

:>)

I'll have whatever he's been drinking...

Heck, I left out the best part. We will be adding new sports (fully funded with COA too). Men's and women's surfing...men's and women's competitive snorkeling...Women's snow skiing...and, a men's bobsled team.

(07-22-2017 04:53 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 03:04 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 02:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River..

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

This is why JMU needs to be proactive and form a new conference which includes Hawaii, UNLV, Nevada (Reno), Utah State (for the snow skiing), American University in San Juan PR, Bermuda College, and Nevada Career Institute (Las Vegas). We need to play an 8-game football schedule each season all on the road. All men's and women's hoops games? On the road. All other JMU sports vs conference foes? You guessed it...that's right...on the road.

Recruiting will soar. These will become our proverbial "peers" that people yack about all the time here. People might ask how the hell will we pay for all of this travel. That's easy. Throw a few games against the spread, then invest those winnings at a craps table while in Vegas or Reno. Expansion opportunities include colleges in the Canadian Rockies (more great skiing opportunities, plus the entire Great White North TV market), Trump University, and some colleges in the Alps.

:>)

I'll have whatever he's been drinking...

Haha, make it 3. I am not trying to go back to the newest conference rumor thread, but if we go into ECU and get another AAC W after getting one at SMU, and we're investing in a new hoops facility, is it really that much of a pipe dream for us to be considered by the AAC? I mean, the rest of our athletics programs are strong particularly on the women's side. It might not be that far fetched. It'd definitely change this entire conversation.

UVA will not play us for a number of reasons at this point in their history. The egg they laid against UR killed any chance of them playing JMU until Bronco turns them around. VA Tech does not want any part of JMU again right now but there could be an opening to get back to Blacksburg again before UVA. Once our NC stint is done, I would like to see us head to South Carolina and play Clemson and South Carolina. I would like to to play Georgia and GT as well. I would love to see a service academy stint for us. Army, Navy and Air Force would be great. We could have some great fun out in Colorado. Good golf out there in Colorado Springs. Broadmore.

(07-22-2017 06:35 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 04:53 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 03:04 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 02:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River..

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

This is why JMU needs to be proactive and form a new conference which includes Hawaii, UNLV, Nevada (Reno), Utah State (for the snow skiing), American University in San Juan PR, Bermuda College, and Nevada Career Institute (Las Vegas). We need to play an 8-game football schedule each season all on the road. All men's and women's hoops games? On the road. All other JMU sports vs conference foes? You guessed it...that's right...on the road.

Recruiting will soar. These will become our proverbial "peers" that people yack about all the time here. People might ask how the hell will we pay for all of this travel. That's easy. Throw a few games against the spread, then invest those winnings at a craps table while in Vegas or Reno. Expansion opportunities include colleges in the Canadian Rockies (more great skiing opportunities, plus the entire Great White North TV market), Trump University, and some colleges in the Alps.

:>)

I'll have whatever he's been drinking...

Haha, make it 3. I am not trying to go back to the newest conference rumor thread, but if we go into ECU and get another AAC W after getting one at SMU, and we're investing in a new hoops facility, is it really that much of a pipe dream for us to be considered by the AAC? I mean, the rest of our athletics programs are strong particularly on the women's side. It might not be that far fetched. It'd definitely change this entire conversation.

It's a pipe dream, but by all means keep smoking it.

Agree GT and SC would be great for us, particularly because we recruit those areas pretty hard and I think in most years they'd be winnable or at least competitive. Like I said, Clemson just scares me. They've always had a really good program but they've taken that last leap into juggernaut status. Then again, they did have a few nail biters last year.

Temple would be another good one but not likely because every time they schedule an FCS game it seems to be against 'Nova or Penn which makes sense.

(07-23-2017 08:51 AM)HotHamandCheese84 Wrote:  UVA will not play us for a number of reasons at this point in their history. The egg they laid against UR killed any chance of them playing JMU until Bronco turns them around. VA Tech does not want any part of JMU again right now but there could be an opening to get back to Blacksburg again before UVA. Once our NC stint is done, I would like to see us head to South Carolina and play Clemson and South Carolina. I would like to to play Georgia and GT as well. I would love to see a service academy stint for us. Army, Navy and Air Force would be great. We could have some great fun out in Colorado. Good golf out there in Colorado Springs. Broadmore.

No thanks on playing GT while Paul Johnson is there. No need to practice against that offense or have our players getting cut by P5 lineman all day.

(07-23-2017 09:42 AM)White Hall Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 06:35 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 04:53 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 03:04 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 02:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Like I said, the only reason I mentioned Buffalo was because of Niagara Falls. The only reasons I mentioned Cuse are for me- 4 hrs drive and fall fishing trip to the Salmon River..

To me the football game is only half of it. The other half is what is there to do that interests me and/or possibly others) nearby or enroute, possibly making it anywhere from a long weekend, to up to a week. I was keeping my list to reasonably drivable. Add in flying and the list becomes way longer.

This is why JMU needs to be proactive and form a new conference which includes Hawaii, UNLV, Nevada (Reno), Utah State (for the snow skiing), American University in San Juan PR, Bermuda College, and Nevada Career Institute (Las Vegas). We need to play an 8-game football schedule each season all on the road. All men's and women's hoops games? On the road. All other JMU sports vs conference foes? You guessed it...that's right...on the road.

Recruiting will soar. These will become our proverbial "peers" that people yack about all the time here. People might ask how the hell will we pay for all of this travel. That's easy. Throw a few games against the spread, then invest those winnings at a craps table while in Vegas or Reno. Expansion opportunities include colleges in the Canadian Rockies (more great skiing opportunities, plus the entire Great White North TV market), Trump University, and some colleges in the Alps.

:>)

I'll have whatever he's been drinking...

Haha, make it 3. I am not trying to go back to the newest conference rumor thread, but if we go into ECU and get another AAC W after getting one at SMU, and we're investing in a new hoops facility, is it really that much of a pipe dream for us to be considered by the AAC? I mean, the rest of our athletics programs are strong particularly on the women's side. It might not be that far fetched. It'd definitely change this entire conversation.

It's a pipe dream, but by all means keep smoking it.

I don't see many teams in that conference going into the Fargo dome and coming out with a win so I'm not sure why it's such a pipe dream.

we could totally be in the AAC ... but no way it's our first conference from FCS

(07-23-2017 11:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  we could totally be in the AAC ... but no way it's our first conference from FCS

You're most likely right but if they have any attrition, I'm not sure who would be a better candidate all things considered. From a facilities perspective, a financial commitment perspective, and academic perspective, a competitive perspective, and let's hypothetically throw in a promise to finish off the other side of Bridgeforth, I don't see why not. Yes, the fact that we'd have to go through transition could be a non-starter, but if they want to think big picture and not piece meal together a conference year by year, it's not insane. You look at a program like Marshall or Buffalo and they've maxed out IMO. I don't think that can be said of JMU.

Totally agree and like the way you put that - JMU has always had a steady upward trajectory...its one of the reasons i love it. Current admin muffles that a little...but more and more i think we need to go Independent asap, and be in first position for AAC

JMU was independent before, for like 15 years...we can do this

(07-23-2017 01:24 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 11:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  we could totally be in the AAC ... but no way it's our first conference from FCS

You're most likely right but if they have any attrition, I'm not sure who would be a better candidate all things considered. From a facilities perspective, a financial commitment perspective, and academic perspective, a competitive perspective, and let's hypothetically throw in a promise to finish off the other side of Bridgeforth, I don't see why not. Yes, the fact that we'd have to go through transition could be a non-starter, but if they want to think big picture and not piece meal together a conference year by year, it's not insane. You look at a program like Marshall or Buffalo and they've maxed out IMO. I don't think that can be said of JMU.

The AAC lacks a presence in VA. If the AAC loses a pair of teams it is not altogether beyond any possibility that ODU and JMU could be brought in as a "set"

(07-23-2017 02:55 PM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  Totally agree and like the way you put that - JMU has always had a steady upward trajectory...its one of the reasons i love it. Current admin muffles that a little...but more and more i think we need to go Independent asap, and be in first position for AAC

JMU was independent before, for like 15 years...we can do this

Serious question, why would we consider Indy when it's almost a certain that the Sunbelt would take us? Would that not be a better route. Going indy looks like a whole lot of long distant travel as we would have to seek games from all over the country.

LU is playing NMSU twice in one season along with New Mexico. Most likely the only game in 2018 that they'll bus to will be UVA. I guess they could possibly bus to Army and Auburn, but that's a stretch. Though, I know that will be there second year of transition so maybe it won't be so bad 5 - 10 years down the road.

(07-23-2017 04:03 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 01:24 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 11:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  we could totally be in the AAC ... but no way it's our first conference from FCS

You're most likely right but if they have any attrition, I'm not sure who would be a better candidate all things considered. From a facilities perspective, a financial commitment perspective, and academic perspective, a competitive perspective, and let's hypothetically throw in a promise to finish off the other side of Bridgeforth, I don't see why not. Yes, the fact that we'd have to go through transition could be a non-starter, but if they want to think big picture and not piece meal together a conference year by year, it's not insane. You look at a program like Marshall or Buffalo and they've maxed out IMO. I don't think that can be said of JMU.

The AAC lacks a presence in VA. If the AAC loses a pair of teams it is not altogether beyond any possibility that ODU and JMU could be brought in as a "set"

Possible but what about App State getting in the way? Both rivalries are getting stale with JMU and strengthening with each other.

I can't see JMU's admin putting up a fight or even showing up to a fight unless the fights is diverse, engaged and labeled pillow swinging contest.

(07-23-2017 04:29 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 02:55 PM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  Totally agree and like the way you put that - JMU has always had a steady upward trajectory...its one of the reasons i love it. Current admin muffles that a little...but more and more i think we need to go Independent asap, and be in first position for AAC

JMU was independent before, for like 15 years...we can do this

Serious question, why would we consider Indy when it's almost a certain that the Sunbelt would take us? Would that not be a better route. Going indy looks like a whole lot of long distant travel as we would have to seek games from all over the country.

LU is playing NMSU twice in one season along with New Mexico. Most likely the only game in 2018 that they'll bus to will be UVA. I guess they could possibly bus to Army and Auburn, but that's a stretch. Though, I know that will be there second year of transition so maybe it won't be so bad 5 - 10 years down the road.

I don't think JMU will ever go independent so that's really off the table. The Sun Belt would be nearly independent as I believe we have 3 or 4 programs they don't support.

(07-23-2017 08:51 AM)HotHamandCheese84 Wrote:  UVA will not play us for a number of reasons at this point in their history. The egg they laid against UR killed any chance of them playing JMU until Bronco turns them around. VA Tech does not want any part of JMU again right now but there could be an opening to get back to Blacksburg again before UVA. Once our NC stint is done, I would like to see us head to South Carolina and play Clemson and South Carolina. I would like to to play Georgia and GT as well. I would love to see a service academy stint for us. Army, Navy and Air Force would be great. We could have some great fun out in Colorado. Good golf out there in Colorado Springs. Broadmore.

Agreed. If your going to expand the wish list to where pretty much all the JMU fanbase has to fly, then a Sept game in Colorado (AF Academy in Colorado Springs, (an hr+ south of Denver) or U Colorado (Boulder 1/2 hr northwest from Denver) would be great. One of the top Sept destinations I could think of for fans. I was just out in Colorado last Sept for a week+. Went to Rocky Mtn National Park (bout hr north of Denver). Of the 20+ Nat Parks I've been to out west, IMHOP that is one of my favorites. Mid Sept is peak foliage for them. Also hit Colorado Springs. Lots to do there. Pikes Peak would be top attraction

You mentioned golf. I know people who go out to Colorado to hunt, or fly fish, or ski. Most outdoor activities top notch within a couple hrs of Denver.

Course there's the other type of Rocky Mtn High that some people now go out there to legally get lol..

(07-23-2017 04:03 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 01:24 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 11:51 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  we could totally be in the AAC ... but no way it's our first conference from FCS

You're most likely right but if they have any attrition, I'm not sure who would be a better candidate all things considered. From a facilities perspective, a financial commitment perspective, and academic perspective, a competitive perspective, and let's hypothetically throw in a promise to finish off the other side of Bridgeforth, I don't see why not. Yes, the fact that we'd have to go through transition could be a non-starter, but if they want to think big picture and not piece meal together a conference year by year, it's not insane. You look at a program like Marshall or Buffalo and they've maxed out IMO. I don't think that can be said of JMU.

The AAC lacks a presence in VA. If the AAC loses a pair of teams it is not altogether beyond any possibility that ODU and JMU could be brought in as a "set"

Things working against JMU for AAC right now:

1. FCS call up. This alone kills us. Too many FBS schools to pick from. This is why we need to go FBS now, whether in the SB or independent. We need to be in a position to go when a slot in the AAC opens up.

2. MBB. Our program is kind of a train wreck right now. Basketball schools like UCONN, Temple, Memphis and SMU are not going to add any programs that will hurt MBB. They just added Witchita st to improve MBB.

3. Market share. Most of the AAC are in major metropolitan areas. We would need to convince them that we will bring the D.C. and the Richmond markets. I think we can say this with a straight face. The challenge is that Navy could claim the D.C. and VA markets as well.