(11-22-2019 08:37 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(11-21-2019 09:35 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(11-21-2019 05:06 PM)Potomac Wrote:  

(11-21-2019 12:48 PM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  I'm assuming since we scrambled to fill that spot with a practically winless FCS independent...

5 wins is practically winless?

Well, yes....when those teams are:
- Virginia-Lynchburg (NCCAA team ineligible to even join the NCAA or the NAIA)
- Mayville State (NAIA D2 school) - a game I went to this year wearing my JMU hat
- Delaware State (one D1 win)
- Presbyterian (one D1 win)
- Franklin Pierce (former D2 conference-mate from NH)


As mentioned, Merrimack is a small Catholic college new to D1 this year (except for hockey - where they have been D1 for awhile). They have appeared on the schedules of other New England colleges over the past few years. They are joining the NEC, so they're slowly adding scholarships to get to the NEC level. They'll likely be a good NEC team once they are fully settled in D1, but they won't ever compete with us.

That being said, I love that we're using our "fluff" game against Merrimack. The more times I get to hear JMU mentioned in the local media, the better.

But they are an FCS team and there record is 5-5.

Also cut a little slack......my guess it is pretty tough to find a game for next year this late when the UNC game got moved. You pretty much are left with looking around to see who has a spot available. JMU is lucky to be able to get an FCS opponent this late in the cycle.

Again, I'm certainly not complaining. In an 11-game season, the best strategy for scheduling OOC is: 1 fluff game, 1 good I-AA game, and 1 I-A money game. This is exactly what we have with Merrimack, Chatty, and UNC. Yeah, it's odd that the CAA is not having their "rivalry" weekend in the final weekend of the season - some will be on the 14th and others will be on the 21st.

From a selfish standpoint, I would much rather see us play Merrimack rather than StFU, CCSU, or certainly any Pioneer team. It will be odd seeing it happen at the end of the season instead of the beginning, but it does give us a nice schedule of: 5 games...then official BYE...then 5 games...then scrimmage that counts...then (hopefully a BYE)....then playoffs.