The Dukes have a tall task on the road and likely have to get multiple turnovers to level the playing field. Just one year ago the defense completely shut down John Robertson and the Dukes won easily. The focus should still be the same since JR will carry the ball more than 50% of the time on Villanova's read option. Dukes defenders would be wise to tackle him every play regardless of if he keeps the ball or not.
Unless Withers changes his scheme and commits more defenders to the run, Villanova will get 300+ yards on the ground.

If JMU had a stout team this would be an extremely tough road game. They still look pretty shaky to me so I think this will go down as a conference loss and it will already be determined by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Villanova 38
JMU 24

(09-16-2014 06:56 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  The Dukes have a tall task on the road and likely have to get multiple turnovers to level the playing field. Just one year ago the defense completely shut down John Robertson and the Dukes won easily. The focus should still be the same since JR will carry the ball more than 50% of the time on Villanova's read option. Dukes defenders would be wise to tackle him every play regardless of if he keeps the ball or not.
Unless Withers changes his scheme and commits more defenders to the run, Villanova will get 300+ yards on the ground.

If JMU had a stout team this would be an extremely tough road game. They still look pretty shaky to me so I think this will go down as a conference loss and it will already be determined by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Villanova 38
JMU 24

HUNGRY TRAVELING DOGS 31

Tame Little Kitty Cats 28

Villanova 42
JMU 17

Juice-less

Nova 45
JMU 21

Villanova 45
JMU 27

Our weaknesses have occurred early in games - offense slow to get going and run-D getting gashed. I could see us getting down really big really really early and clawing back to make it respectable. One of the downsides to playing fast and not scoring.

FWIW - and I realize its early and Sagains arent great predictors yet - but we equate to a 19 point dog using the Sagarin ratings.

My simulator has it as Villanova 36, JMU 15.

I realize why people are down on the team, as I have seen nearly every play of the young season. Despite the obvious flaws mentioned, which I would agree with, this team has done what it has been supposed to do so far... which is beat the teams it should beat and lose the teams it should lose to.

I'm staying positive, and say that Withers and the boys find a way to do just enough.

JMU 38
Villanova 34

Heart - JMU 34 - Nova 31

Gut - Nova 34 - JMU 31

This one could be down right ugly. Villanova is strong where we are weak.

This is the kind of game where you wish our O could keep TOP, but with our style, that's not going to happen. Our D will be gassed.

VU 45
JMU 24

Hope I'm wrong

Nova 52
JMU 28

Still bringing 7 with me to this game despite the grim prediction. Hope to see a lot of Purple.

Hopefully withers watches our game tape from last year


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55-14 Villanova rolling easily.

What will it take to win? An injured and ineffective Robertson coupled with a perfect offensive and defensive execution by JMU. We will also need a minimum +2-3 turnovers that result in points.

I can see Robertson running and throwing without missing a beat despite having one available hand.

Villanova 45
JMU 17

The sky will not fall. They will get better. ..just not this week.

Villanova looks like a top 5 team in the country right now. We still have a lot of improving to do.

Villanova 41
JMU 21

Villanova - 31

JMU - 24

Hopefully we will see some improvement in stopping the run and the pass rush.

Massey has us losing 34-20...I think that is being generous to us.

Wildkittens 48
Dukes 24

Definitely not counting on winning this and don't have much hope about keeping it close. No improvement to our bad 1st quarter problems and we'll have this...
Villanova 38
JMU 21

Adjustments to the defense, including OLB's containing JR to the middle at least 75% of the time, and offense, including more throws long throws to Brown and I could possibly see this being a toss-up. Combine all that and JMU being on the good-side of turnover battle and we could do this, but it will be a tall order and require some luck.
Villanova 28
JMU 31

Long day for the D...

VU - 48
JMU - 21

VU at home coming off of a bye week.
2 things that will hopefully keep VU in the 30s and the game from being a complete route:
-Robertson being in a cast on his non throwing hand hopefully fumbling 1 or 2 times that he otherwise wouldn't have, and maybe not carrying the ball as much as be otherwise would have.
-Their kickers SUCK. 1 of 4 through 1st 2 games with 2 missed PATs..

VU 35, JMU 21.

(09-16-2014 10:08 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  VU at home coming off of a bye week.
2 things that will hopefully keep VU in the 30s and the game from being a complete route: -----Robertson being in a cast on his non throwing hand hopefully fumbling 1 or 2 times that he otherwise wouldn't have, and maybe not carrying the ball as much as be otherwise would have.
-Their kickers SUCK. 1 of 4 through 1st 2 games with 2 missed PATs..

VU 35, JMU 21.

Yea, their kicker cost them the Syracuse game. Missed chip shot (I think it was basically an XP) with no time remaining.