Report card grades on this past season- we got an “A”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...3b5TIxNUEM

(01-11-2023 05:56 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Report card grades on this past season- we got an “A”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...3b5TIxNUEM

I can't really take a list that gives NM St an A grade seriously.

Sure they got 7 wins, including a no-name bowl. But they had to get exceptions and pad their schedule after the fact to even get to 6 wins. Maybe they exceeded very low-bar expectation, but still not the achievement it is being propped up to be.

I don't care if the too early polls are BS or if this report card is BS

James Madison is listed next to Florida State and Michigan and not Elon and Towson

(01-11-2023 06:27 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I don't care if the too early polls are BS or if this report card is BS

James Madison is listed next to Florida State and Michigan and not Elon and Towson

Which is why there's value.

(01-11-2023 06:27 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I don't care if the too early polls are BS or if this report card is BS

James Madison is listed next to Florida State and Michigan and not Elon and Towson

^
This is true.

Some of the Walmart fans of the so-called blue blood P5 programs are no doubt questioning who this upstart “James Madison” is, and where has it come from, and why this G5 JMU nobody is getting so much (in their opinion) undeserved love and positive media attention.

To answer the critics, this upcoming season (assuming the waiver and a bowl game becomes possible) makes season two of FBS competition perhaps the most important season in JMU’s FB history.

Last year, as a newbie FBS team, very little was expected of JMU by the outside world. If JMU had crapped the bed, finishing with a losing season, so what? It was expected. Yet, when JMU got off to the hot start, was ranked, and then finished the season 8-3 and in first place in the SBC East, perceptions were changed. Now JMU football is perceived to be a rising star, and as a result the preseason love is flowing. With expectations running high the danger of disappointing fans and the media are exponentially higher.

Should JMU (in its second FBS season) experience a “sophomore slump” much of the name brand flash and allure of the first year success will be tarnished. A poor 2nd FBS season would have a negative impact on recruiting, and it would also sour the media on JMU. Media voices who had been quick to elevate JMU as a legit football power would be laughed it, making it more difficult to recapture the media’s favorable attention. A 2nd year finish with a losing record, say 5-7, with no bowl, would be a real blow, and setback the program’s progress by multiple years.

On a more positive note, should JMU continue to succeed in year 2…let’s imagine major successes in winning the East division and the SBC conference title game, getting selected and winning the NY6 bowl game, and finishing the season no worse than 12-2, then JMU is off to the races. Top 20 rankings, improved recruiting, positive media attention, enhanced possibilities of hosting future CGDs, home attendance and talk of facility expansions will all be on the table. Even at the lower end of success, finishing 8-5 in JMU’s second FBS season with no East division championship and a bowl game loss, would still keep the program moving forward in the right direction.

So, for all of the above reasons, and others I haven’t elaborated upon, I see this upcoming season as the most important in JMU FB history. Let’s make it a great one Dukes!

(01-12-2023 08:55 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 06:27 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I don't care if the too early polls are BS or if this report card is BS

James Madison is listed next to Florida State and Michigan and not Elon and Towson

^
This is true.

Some of the Walmart fans of the so-called blue blood P5 programs are no doubt questioning who this upstart “James Madison” is, and where has it come from, and why this G5 JMU nobody is getting so much (in their opinion) undeserved love and positive media attention.

To answer the critics, this upcoming season (assuming the waiver and a bowl game becomes possible) makes season two of FBS competition perhaps the most important season in JMU’s FB history.

Last year, as a newbie FBS team, very little was expected of JMU by the outside world. If JMU had crapped the bed, finishing with a losing season, so what? It was expected. Yet, when JMU got off to the hot start, was ranked, and then finished the season 8-3 and in first place in the SBC East, perceptions were changed. Now JMU football is perceived to be a rising star, and as a result the preseason love is flowing. With expectations running high the danger of disappointing fans and the media are exponentially higher.

Should JMU (in its second FBS season) experience a “sophomore slump” much of the name brand flash and allure of the first year success will be tarnished. A poor 2nd FBS season would have a negative impact on recruiting, and it would also sour the media on JMU. Media voices who had been quick to elevate JMU as a legit football power would be laughed it, making it more difficult to recapture the media’s favorable attention. A 2nd year finish with a losing record, say 5-7, with no bowl, would be a real blow, and setback the program’s progress by multiple years.

On a more positive note, should JMU continue to succeed in year 2…let’s imagine major successes in winning the East division and the SBC conference title game, getting selected and winning the NY6 bowl game, and finishing the season no worse than 12-2, then JMU is off to the races. Top 20 rankings, improved recruiting, positive media attention, enhanced possibilities of hosting future CGDs, home attendance and talk of facility expansions will all be on the table. Even at the lower end of success, finishing 8-5 in JMU’s second FBS season with no East division championship and a bowl game loss, would still keep the program moving forward in the right direction.

So, for all of the above reasons, and others I haven’t elaborated upon, I see this upcoming season as the most important in JMU FB history. Let’s make it a great one Dukes!

I completely agree. Assuming we blow out bucknell in week one, I'd put the UVA game as one of the most important games in JMU history. Have a chance to capitalize on the preseason hype with an in-state P5 rival to start the season 2-0 and really set the tone that we are here to stay. Without a win vs UVA there is zero chance for a major bowl next year. UVA may not be world beaters but it's still a P5

(01-12-2023 08:55 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 06:27 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I don't care if the too early polls are BS or if this report card is BS

James Madison is listed next to Florida State and Michigan and not Elon and Towson

^
This is true.

Some of the Walmart fans of the so-called blue blood P5 programs are no doubt questioning who this upstart “James Madison” is, and where has it come from, and why this G5 JMU nobody is getting so much (in their opinion) undeserved love and positive media attention.

To answer the critics, this upcoming season (assuming the waiver and a bowl game becomes possible) makes season two of FBS competition perhaps the most important season in JMU’s FB history.

Last year, as a newbie FBS team, very little was expected of JMU by the outside world. If JMU had crapped the bed, finishing with a losing season, so what? It was expected. Yet, when JMU got off to the hot start, was ranked, and then finished the season 8-3 and in first place in the SBC East, perceptions were changed. Now JMU football is perceived to be a rising star, and as a result the preseason love is flowing. With expectations running high the danger of disappointing fans and the media are exponentially higher.

Should JMU (in its second FBS season) experience a “sophomore slump” much of the name brand flash and allure of the first year success will be tarnished. A poor 2nd FBS season would have a negative impact on recruiting, and it would also sour the media on JMU. Media voices who had been quick to elevate JMU as a legit football power would be laughed it, making it more difficult to recapture the media’s favorable attention. A 2nd year finish with a losing record, say 5-7, with no bowl, would be a real blow, and setback the program’s progress by multiple years.

On a more positive note, should JMU continue to succeed in year 2…let’s imagine major successes in winning the East division and the SBC conference title game, getting selected and winning the NY6 bowl game, and finishing the season no worse than 12-2, then JMU is off to the races. Top 20 rankings, improved recruiting, positive media attention, enhanced possibilities of hosting future CGDs, home attendance and talk of facility expansions will all be on the table. Even at the lower end of success, finishing 8-5 in JMU’s second FBS season with no East division championship and a bowl game loss, would still keep the program moving forward in the right direction.

So, for all of the above reasons, and others I haven’t elaborated upon, I see this upcoming season as the most important in JMU FB history. Let’s make it a great one Dukes!

There have been a lot of important seasons, but I think a lot of that was based on the results. 2004 was the one that really put us on the map, but we didn't have expectations on that year being as important as it ended up being.
I don't think there were many seasons that were seen as important leading up to them. This one definitely has a lot of implications. While I saw last year as an important one, I don't think it was as crucial as this year.
2022 set the bar. 2023 now has to at least meet the bar.
There's more pressure on this team to be able to do what last year's team was able to do. We aren't sneaking up on anyone anymore.
For some reason I feel like there are more question marks leading into this season than last in terms of personnel. That could just be a personal feeling, but I just can't quite get a good read on how good the pieces coming in can be.
I absolutely have faith in the coaching staff. I do believe we are a much deeper team than last season (which was incredibly important).
Also, I am really, really excited about the home schedule. Getting App State and ODU at home is enough to be excited about. But add on top of that Ga Southern revenge game, USA (top SB west teams) and a winnable UConn game. Bucknell... meh, but just have to deal with having FCS games... they aren't going away.
Really looking forward to this season and hopefully we will see it as incredibly successful and pivotal to our future success.

Totally agree with Longhorn and others here. This coming year is the most important in PROGRAM history and that UVA game certainly is shaping up to be an inflection. Lose it, the mo is greatly diminished. Win it, well, that would be fun. The opportunity is there thanks to many years of strong leadership, solid decision making, growing support and a history of success. Grab it while its there. (if you want a counter example to all of this, take a look at Delaware. Nuff said)

(01-11-2023 06:14 PM)JMU_Rocks! Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 05:56 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Report card grades on this past season- we got an “A”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...3b5TIxNUEM

I can't really take a list that gives NM St an A grade seriously.

Sure they got 7 wins, including a no-name bowl. But they had to get exceptions and pad their schedule after the fact to even get to 6 wins. Maybe they exceeded very low-bar expectation, but still not the achievement it is being propped up to be.

I sorta get that reasoning, but I don't agree. That program hasn't had much, if any, success - their bowl win in 2017 was the first appearance they'd had in 57 years. Bringing in Jerry Kill was an achievement for them and getting to the break-even point was an even bigger one. The grading in that article is based on performance against expectations. Not even a casual fan would think that their A means their season reached the same level of achievement as Michigan's playoff appearance, or that their bowl win is the same as K-State's Big 12 conference championship win against TCU.

It's absolutely correct to say that we, as a program, achieved more than they did, against stronger competition, and to then make the argument that we deserve a bowl waiver where they did not. But in the end, we're asking the NCAA to make an exception for us as well.

i dont want to just beat uva, i want them to be embarrassed after the game

(01-12-2023 01:52 PM)Centdukesfan Wrote:  i dont want to just beat uva, i want them to be embarrassed after the game

But I would settle for a 1 point win.

(01-12-2023 01:52 PM)Centdukesfan Wrote:  i dont want to just beat uva, i want them to be embarrassed after the game

Absolutely.
Plus, we will most likely be a favorite going into the game. I'd like to see them wrap their head around that.

(01-11-2023 06:14 PM)JMU_Rocks! Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 05:56 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Report card grades on this past season- we got an “A”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...3b5TIxNUEM

I can't really take a list that gives NM St an A grade seriously.

Sure they got 7 wins, including a no-name bowl. But they had to get exceptions and pad their schedule after the fact to even get to 6 wins. Maybe they exceeded very low-bar expectation, but still not the achievement it is being propped up to be.

Completely agree. They're on their 23rd(?) season in FBS and won fewer games, albeit against slightly stronger competition, than we did in our first.

(01-11-2023 06:14 PM)JMU_Rocks! Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 05:56 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Report card grades on this past season- we got an “A”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...3b5TIxNUEM

I can't really take a list that gives NM St an A grade seriously.

Sure they got 7 wins, including a no-name bowl. But they had to get exceptions and pad their schedule after the fact to even get to 6 wins. Maybe they exceeded very low-bar expectation, but still not the achievement it is being propped up to be.

NM State is perpetually one of the worst FBS teams. They have played football since 1893, played over 1130 games, and only have a 40% win percentage historically. Any season they finish above .500, as they did this year by winning their bowl game, is hugely successful and over expectations.

(01-12-2023 02:43 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 06:14 PM)JMU_Rocks! Wrote:  

(01-11-2023 05:56 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Report card grades on this past season- we got an “A”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...3b5TIxNUEM

I can't really take a list that gives NM St an A grade seriously.

Sure they got 7 wins, including a no-name bowl. But they had to get exceptions and pad their schedule after the fact to even get to 6 wins. Maybe they exceeded very low-bar expectation, but still not the achievement it is being propped up to be.

NM State is perpetually one of the worst FBS teams. They have played football since 1893, played over 1130 games, and only have a 40% win percentage historically. Any season they finish above .500, as they did this year by winning their bowl game, is hugely successful and over expectations.

Their 50 years prior to this season, NMSU won 157 games. Not hard to do the math-just barely over 3 wins a season. Yes, they played 2 FCS this year. But they've always played one FCS in the other futile seasons. 7 wins with what they have to work with and their abysmal history deserves the A.

That said, what it really boils down to is nice recognition and good PR. No need to complicate it. As Purplehazed said, "James Madison is listed next to Florida State and Michigan and not Elon and Towson"

When you have multiple lists with JMU shown in the top 25 of FBS programs, that shows enormous success for our first year of FBS competition.

It doesn't matter how "legit" the rankings are, it shows tremendous respect for what was accomplished, and expectations we will continue to be strong. It also puts us in the minds of AP voters for next year. Keep winning and JMU will be in the conversation.

(01-13-2023 08:33 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  When you have multiple lists with JMU shown in the top 25 of FBS programs, that shows enormous success for our first year of FBS competition.

It doesn't matter how "legit" the rankings are, it shows tremendous respect for what was accomplished, and expectations we will continue to be strong. It also puts us in the minds of AP voters for next year. Keep winning and JMU will be in the conversation.

What other way too early Top 25 is JMU on? I’m only seeing the random ESPN guy’s in the OP.

(01-13-2023 01:49 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-13-2023 08:33 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  When you have multiple lists with JMU shown in the top 25 of FBS programs, that shows enormous success for our first year of FBS competition.

It doesn't matter how "legit" the rankings are, it shows tremendous respect for what was accomplished, and expectations we will continue to be strong. It also puts us in the minds of AP voters for next year. Keep winning and JMU will be in the conversation.

What other way too early Top 25 is JMU on? I’m only seeing the random ESPN guy’s in the OP.

The USAToday report card ranking/grade also would have us in the top 20 programs. Only 18 programs received a grade of "A" or "A+". We also did well on CBS Sports rankings (can't recall if it was top 25 or 35, but in that ballpark)

I'm pretty confident if we come out of the gate swinging with wins against teams like Troy (#19), USA, and UVA, we will get back into the AP poll next year also.

(01-13-2023 01:55 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(01-13-2023 01:49 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-13-2023 08:33 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  When you have multiple lists with JMU shown in the top 25 of FBS programs, that shows enormous success for our first year of FBS competition.

It doesn't matter how "legit" the rankings are, it shows tremendous respect for what was accomplished, and expectations we will continue to be strong. It also puts us in the minds of AP voters for next year. Keep winning and JMU will be in the conversation.

What other way too early Top 25 is JMU on? I’m only seeing the random ESPN guy’s in the OP.

The USAToday report card ranking/grade also would have us in the top 20 programs. Only 18 programs received a grade of "A" or "A+". We also did well on CBS Sports rankings (can't recall if it was top 25 or 35, but in that ballpark)

I'm pretty confident if we come out of the gate swinging with wins against teams like Troy (#19), USA, and UVA, we will get back into the AP poll next year also.

9/2 Bucknell
9/9 @UVA
9/16 @Troy or Bye (only 2 possibilities).
9/23 @Utah State
9/30 USA? (or ASU or GSU)

Well, IF JMU goes undefeated in Sept, of course. But that will be a HUGE IF. A bye on Week 3 would suck, but those 3 straight road games would suck worse.

(01-13-2023 03:14 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-13-2023 01:55 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(01-13-2023 01:49 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-13-2023 08:33 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  When you have multiple lists with JMU shown in the top 25 of FBS programs, that shows enormous success for our first year of FBS competition.

It doesn't matter how "legit" the rankings are, it shows tremendous respect for what was accomplished, and expectations we will continue to be strong. It also puts us in the minds of AP voters for next year. Keep winning and JMU will be in the conversation.

What other way too early Top 25 is JMU on? I’m only seeing the random ESPN guy’s in the OP.

The USAToday report card ranking/grade also would have us in the top 20 programs. Only 18 programs received a grade of "A" or "A+". We also did well on CBS Sports rankings (can't recall if it was top 25 or 35, but in that ballpark)

I'm pretty confident if we come out of the gate swinging with wins against teams like Troy (#19), USA, and UVA, we will get back into the AP poll next year also.

9/2 Bucknell
9/9 @UVA
9/16 @Troy or Bye (only 2 possibilities).
9/23 @Utah State
9/30 USA? (or ASU or GSU)

Well, IF JMU goes undefeated in Sept, of course. But that will be a HUGE IF. A bye on Week 3 would suck, but those 3 straight road games would suck worse.

UVA won't be a road game.