http://jmusports.com/news/2015/11/17/Foo...51556.aspx

Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

http://csnbbs.com/thread-757492.html

(11-23-2015 11:16 AM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

We've struggled tremendously following the loss of Vad...I predict a more even win/loss ratio. We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

If I had to make an educated prediction I would say our 2016 Starting QB is not on our roster yet. Look for another FBS transfer to start 2016 and further mask any failures you mentioned.

With hat we have now, I say 8-3 or 7-4. Like many others have said, the stretch between UNC-CH and the bye will be pivotal.

We will be better next year. Only losing Lane, Richards, and Cheatham on O. Only losing Mosley, Gates, and Jacques on D. Supposedly Moreland is coming back as well.

If Schor is the guy I would expect some improvement over the course of the offseason. We are pretty loaded.

(11-23-2015 11:21 AM)JMU13 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:16 AM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

We've struggled tremendously following the loss of Vad...I predict a more even win/loss ratio. We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

I believe the UNC departure was due to the academic scandal more than anything else. He had a winning record as an interim coach with a depleted roster if I remember correctly.

I don't give a hoot what or who masks his "failures" as long as he keeps up his streak of making FCS playoffs. 2 for 2 seems decent to me.

(11-23-2015 11:21 AM)JMU13 Wrote:  We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

I respectfully disagree with this. In college the head coach needs to be a recruiter, a motivator, and run a clean program. I believe EW has been excellent in these 3 areas.

Some head coaches use themselves as an O or D coordinator, but EW does not. For Xs and Os, his type of HC needs solid coordinators, along with a trust level to let them operate. You can say that the defense is bad, and I would agree. But that can be changed with a new coordinator.

The only real failures with Withers coaching that I hold against him so far have been two special teams brain cramps:
1) All out rush against Liberty's 57 yd field goal attempt and forgetting to defend the possible fake.
2) Not expecting the onside kick this year after a 15 yd penalty shortened the kickoff.
Both of those mistakes turned the tide in games that ended up as losses.

I don't think EW has ever been a head coach before besides that partial season stint at UNC (correct me if I'm wrong). Those special teams mistakes, along with clock management issues are part of the normal learning curve of a new head coach. I expect him to improve these two areas as he goes. Overall I am very happy with the status of the FB program!

I think we are getting a little ahead of ourselves trying to predict next year's record. Who knows what transfer or recruit might walk on campus and make just as great a impact as Vad did. Put me in the FBS transfer QB camp. I think we get another one next year.

I'm ready to see what the 2015 Dukes can do before discussing the 2016 Dukes.

(11-23-2015 11:21 AM)JMU13 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:16 AM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

We've struggled tremendously following the loss of Vad...I predict a more even win/loss ratio. We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

All those great athletes at Alabama MIGHT be masking Nick Saban's "failures".

(11-23-2015 01:01 PM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:21 AM)JMU13 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:16 AM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

We've struggled tremendously following the loss of Vad...I predict a more even win/loss ratio. We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

All those great athletes at Alabama MIGHT be masking Nick Saban's "failures".

Alabama's defense has always been Saban's bread and butter when coaching. This is why the run the ball so much and so well , they don't need a spread offense to out score opponents. I think people are just disappointed in his defensive background and the defensive stats he has had as a head coach.

I think the soft start to this schedule would have been improved if they were not expecting to have to work in a new QB this year. The good news is that Schor now has some good game experience, so that project is already well underway.

(11-23-2015 11:11 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  http://jmusports.com/news/2015/11/17/Foo...51556.aspx

http://csnbbs.com/thread-757492-post-126...id12661225

(11-23-2015 11:58 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  If I had to make an educated prediction I would say our 2016 Starting QB is not on our roster yet. Look for another FBS transfer to start 2016 and further mask any failures you mentioned.

I agree. Withers will not stand pat with who is on the roster and who has verbally committed out of high school at QB.

(11-23-2015 12:26 PM)DiceRogerLion Wrote:  We will be better next year. Only losing Lane, Richards, and Cheatham on O. Only losing Mosley, Gates, and Jacques on D. Supposedly Moreland is coming back as well.

If Schor is the guy I would expect some improvement over the course of the offseason. We are pretty loaded.

I think we have a shot to get Cardale Jones as xfer as well

i heard Auburns backup QB is not happy with the coach there. maybe EW should extend a welcome visit to him. 5 star recruit that was the next Cam Newton.

(11-23-2015 11:21 AM)JMU13 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:16 AM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

We've struggled tremendously following the loss of Vad...I predict a more even win/loss ratio. We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

Les Miles is about to get fired. He's obviously a terrible coach.

(11-23-2015 01:46 PM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 01:01 PM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:21 AM)JMU13 Wrote:  

(11-23-2015 11:16 AM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Tough slate of away games. 7-4 or 8-3.

We've struggled tremendously following the loss of Vad...I predict a more even win/loss ratio. We realize Withers was let go by UNC and OSU for a reason, and his failures as a coach were masked by Vad.

All those great athletes at Alabama MIGHT be masking Nick Saban's "failures".

Alabama's defense has always been Saban's bread and butter when coaching. This is why the run the ball so much and so well , they don't need a spread offense to out score opponents. I think people are just disappointed in his defensive background and the defensive stats he has had as a head coach.

True, the JMU defense has been bending way too much (and breaking sometimes)........some of it is questionable schemes and some of it is inexperience in a few areas as well as a mixed bag of talent on the D. Some things that fall heavily on the players A) Players not knowing where the ball is B) Overpursuing too often C) Missed tackles/not wrapping up. Improving in these areas would make a huge difference.

I hope we use the bye week to improve on A, B and C. Especially wrapping up on the ball carriers. Several instances on Saturday where we had the guy in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage only to see the guy squirt through and fall forward for 3-5 yards.