by the way, if you do a heart/head prediction, the heart one doesn't count. be a man and do ONE prediction! note that this is intended in a lighthearted way, since that doesn't always come through.
JMU 24
UNC 45
i think our running game will give them problems. i watched the entire UNC/Illinois game, and they look to have issues on D, especially in the run game: bad angles, poor tackling, poor effort at times. i think effort will not be an issue in their home opener, and i worry about their explosive offense. Switzer and Howard are really talented. i worry about Switzer, especially. i do think we could win (i'm NOT giving a heart prediction, my prediction is "what i think will happen"). i just don't think we will. no shame in losing to a very talented team.
I think we'll grind it out on the ground and our DBs will (hopefully) not allow them to rip off huge chunks in the passing game. That will keep the score down but ultimately they pull away. To keep it close and have a shot we'll need to be +4 in TOs.
UNC 56 - JMU 24. I think we will score some points but I think our defense will struggle putting any kind of pressure on their QB and UNC will score mostly at will.
There's always the possibility of an upset, but if its not close at halftime let's hope for no injuries. I wouldn't mind seeing Mitch get more significant second half snaps if it isn't close so we have a better idea of what we have.
(09-14-2016 01:47 PM)JMUNewbill Wrote: UNC 56 - JMU 24. I think we will score some points but I think our defense will struggle putting any kind of pressure on their QB and UNC will score mostly at will.
There's always the possibility of an upset, but if its not close at halftime let's hope for no injuries. I wouldn't mind seeing Mitch get more significant second half snaps if it isn't close so we have a better idea of what we have.
This has been a big part of the recipe for UNC against us the past two times. Their O-line manhandling our D-line from a pass blocking perspective. Heck, we made a guy who had never started a game look like an All-American w/ 22-23 passing stats.
The fact that the Dukes have recorded zero sacks in 2 games is a concern. We may have to bring the heat and hope our secondary can hold up.
(09-14-2016 01:47 PM)JMUNewbill Wrote: UNC 56 - JMU 24. I think we will score some points but I think our defense will struggle putting any kind of pressure on their QB and UNC will score mostly at will.
There's always the possibility of an upset, but if its not close at halftime let's hope for no injuries. I wouldn't mind seeing Mitch get more significant second half snaps if it isn't close so we have a better idea of what we have.
This has been a big part of the recipe for UNC against us the past two times. Their O-line manhandling our D-line from a pass blocking perspective. Heck, we made a guy who had never started a game look like an All-American w/ 22-23 passing stats.
The fact that the Dukes have recorded zero sacks in 2 games is a concern. We may have to bring the heat and hope our secondary can hold up.
You guys watching the games I have been? We haven't run any real pressure plays or done anything other than rush 5 guys. No stunts, nothing. I think we've been playing it pretty close to the vest here, guys.
Well, I hope we've been playing vanilla. Still, with such disparity in talent, I'd have thought our guys would have blown by their opposite several times by now.
Kind of captain obvious here but the only way I see JMU hanging around is if they get a few turnovers and are able to convert on them. We always seem to catch UNC in years where they're really good. There are some years where they're mediocre or slightly above in the ACC but we never seem to catch them then. They have some guys on this team who are flat scary.
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JMU @ UNC Prediction Thread
