The tailgating scene outside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is unique. They have tents everywhere which is not unique, but on the tents they will have "Class of 1984" and nearby "Class of 1985" and so on...

The graduating Mids from the past look to those tents to congregate with their fellow classmates and alums (and families). Back before 911, like a lot of CFB stadiums still at that time, you could leave the stadium at halftime, go back to your tailgate to load up on adult beverages and re-enter the stadium. UVA and Clemson both allowed that for years up until 911. Same at the USNA. Not anymore unfortunately, though completely understandable why.

(07-18-2017 07:49 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  

(07-14-2017 08:00 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  

(07-14-2017 05:26 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  I'd always welcome playing Navy. Went there as an MRD in '88 and '89. The year we played the Navy Hymn and the whole place just stopped....it was amazing. Their fans were so thankful and gracious as we left the stadium, it was one of the very best memories I have of my time at JMU.

That must have been INCREDIBLE.

It really was, Hyper...and the cherry on top was the fact that JMU actually won the game

I was in the MRDs when we took the whole band to Lane Stadium in 2003. I guess the VT crowd didn't know about how loud we were back then. Loud boos as we sprinted onto the field to take our opening sets. By the end of the show, the VT crowd was on their feet for us. I think they expected something like their own band & got shell-shocked by the huge sound. Despite the football beat-down, that's a lasting memory. It was a complete fan 180 after our first note.

But man, Navy Hymn for the Navy crowd. I honestly can't imagine how awesome that must have been. I'm sure that crowd ATE IT UP!

(07-18-2017 08:01 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  The tailgating scene outside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is unique. They have tents everywhere which is not unique, but on the tents they will have "Class of 1984" and nearby "Class of 1985" and so on...

The graduating Mids from the past look to those tents to congregate with their fellow classmates and alums (and families). Back before 911, like a lot of CFB stadiums still at that time, you could leave the stadium at halftime, go back to your tailgate to load up on adult beverages and re-enter the stadium. UVA and Clemson both allowed that for years up until 911. Same at the USNA. Not anymore unfortunately, though completely understandable why.

Well, you'll be happy to know that when we invade Raleigh next year that practice is still in effect at Carter-Finley Stadium. This is much to the dismay of many Wolfpackers because fans tend to be slow to get back into the stadium before the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Their coach has repeatedly lobbied to have the practice ended, but the fans want it to stay and money talks, so it stays. I think not having fans in the seats in the third quarter had more to do with those other places doing away with the halftime pass-out than 911. I've heard that from several Iptay Club members (Clemson's booster club).

Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

We seem to ALWAYS catch the NC ACC teams with new coaches, making an otherwise winnable game more difficult. Thinking about Duke & coach cut as well as that UNC game with Withers (I think).

Definitely want the same underachieving program if possible. No jump starts please!

A game or two with Navy would be great me thinks!! Also Army.

Brian

(07-19-2017 11:34 AM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  A game or two with Navy would be great me thinks!! Also Army.

Brian

Would love a game with Army. I will actually be at West Point Saturday playing the West Point Golf Club.

(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

No doubt, Doeren has made them better and better every year he's been there, but when you have 3 top ten teams are in your division (Clemson, FSU and Louisville) --and you play them in a murders row along with Notre Dame over a 4 week period--it makes it kind of tough to break through. Having said that, the Pack was a dropped INT and a wide right 33 yard FG from beating both FSU and Clemson last year respectively. The Clemson game was in Death Valley. NC State SH!T strikes again. Of course, they had the WTF games last year also, ECTC and BC.

Our game in 2018 will be the first time I have ever pulled against the Pack in my life, but there's no doubt where my loyalties lie.

(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

The App St. coach will be at NC State this time next year and Houston will be at App St. Doreen saved his job for one more year by beating UNC last year.

(07-19-2017 10:45 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

The App St. coach will be at NC State this time next year and Houston will be at App St. Doreen saved his job for one more year by beating UNC last year.

I'm not saying you are wrong, but it will take some big knads for a G5 coach to accept the NC State job. As 71 pointed out, what State is up against is huge and can quickly end the career of someone not accustomed to P5 football. The Pack really needs to find what Duke found in Cutcliff, a seasoned and well respected coach who can control his surroundings by having others admire his dedication and integrity to the game, school, and fans.

(07-19-2017 11:38 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 10:45 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

The App St. coach will be at NC State this time next year and Houston will be at App St. Doreen saved his job for one more year by beating UNC last year.

I'm not saying you are wrong, but it will take some big knads for a G5 coach to accept the NC State job. As 71 pointed out, what State is up against is huge and can quickly end the career of someone not accustomed to P5 football. The Pack really needs to find what Duke found in Cutcliff, a seasoned and well respected coach who can control his surroundings by having others admire his dedication and integrity to the game, school, and fans.

No, what State needs is to be put in the Coastal. That's why Duke has seen the success they've seen. That's why UNC-Cheat saw their one good year 2 years ago. That's why VT has had decent years. Switch any of those teams with State's position and they would find themselves with the same success, or worse, over the last 8 or so years. Swofford will never abolish the divisions or re-shuffle them; his beloved TarHoles are beneficiaries of being in the weak-ass Coastal.

If Doeren goes 7-5 (6-6 and he's on the brink) or better this year, he keeps his job. He's probably got the best D-line in the conference, an experienced O-line, solidly good QB and Jalyen Samuels. Doeren's problem is his head-scratching coaching decisions sometimes and his FG kicker.

I will speak no more of the Pack for a while; sorry for the thread highjack.

(07-19-2017 10:45 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

The App St. coach will be at NC State this time next year and Houston will be at App St. Doreen saved his job for one more year by beating UNC last year.

(07-14-2017 05:26 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  

(07-14-2017 09:47 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  2. Navy - OK OK they aren't P5, but I'll make a slight convenient exception for the Mids like most of the P5 conferences do when demanding they play P5 opponents OOC...I've been there 3 times and talk about the greatest, classiest welcoming fanbase in the world...watching the Mids march onto the field is a wonderful thing and then when the Mids do a salute to the opposing fans' section it just makes it even better...again, driveable for a lot of JMU fans...Annapolis is a great place to just walk around for hours for those who have never been there, the Naval Academy museums alone are worth it

I'd always welcome playing Navy. Went there as an MRD in '88 and '89. The year we played the Navy Hymn and the whole place just stopped....it was amazing. Their fans were so thankful and gracious as we left the stadium, it was one of the very best memories I have of my time at JMU.

I wouldn't mind seeing us schedule winnable P5 games, even if the payout is a little less. Thinking Duke (though maybe not as winnable as it used to be), Vandy, Wake Forest. The Pitt idea's a good one too

Unfortunately Navy is not inclined to play JMU in football again after the Dukes beat them in 2 out of 3 of the games in a series we had with them the last time they played us. They had a contract for another 3 game series that the Navy backed out of after they were embarrassed at their homecoming games twice.

(07-19-2017 10:45 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 10:01 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 09:54 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Oh man, the game in Raleigh is going to be BANANAS.

Speaking of, for selfish reasons, I'd like to see NC State have a really good season this fall and the Pack sign HC Dave Doeren to a healthy raise and extension. This will be his 5th season in Raleigh. His program is in an incredibly difficult division. While he has made some smaller meaningless exhibition games in late December in the last 3 seasons, his overall ACC record thru 4 years is 9-23 (never finishing at least .500 in any season). If the Pack stinks it up this year, they may be looking elsewhere come December and I'd prefer that not be the case (wink wink).

The App St. coach will be at NC State this time next year and Houston will be at App St. Doreen saved his job for one more year by beating UNC last year.

If App St. hasn't been successful and isn't a better job (as many FCS apologists insinuate), why would Houston take that job? I have trouble reconciling how "App St made a mistake", but our HC would see it as a better job.

Yes, I know Houston is from the Asheville area.

Pretty much going with teams JMU hasn't played, or at least in a quarter century or so.

1. Penn State
-106.5k capacity stadium (only 2nd? to Michigan)
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Roughly about 3.5 hrs from JMU & DC, 5 hrs Richmond, 6-7 from Tidewater, so for almost everyone would be at least 1 overnight.
-Only about a 3 hr drive from where I live outside of Philadelphia.

2. Tennessee:
-102.5k capacity stadium.
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase (JMU, DC/Nova, Richmond, Tidewater), little further than PSU. Roughly between 5-8 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase, so would be 1-2 overnights for everyone.
-9 hr drive for me, but enroute I could visit family in the Shenandoah Valley, same as I usually do for JMU home games.
-Only an hr from Gatlinburg & the Great Smokies, people could make it a 4-5 day trip (or longer) and spend time in the Smokies.

3. Pitt:
-For all the reasons that Purple mentioned.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase, a little further than PSU. Roughly between 4-7 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase..
-Only about a 4.5 hr drive for me.

4. Syracuse:
-Bulk of the JMU fanbase would between 7-9 hour drive, too far for some. Bout a 4 hr drive for me.
-I'd get a day of fishing in on the Salmon River about 1/2 hr+ further north. Have done double digit guided float trips up there in the last 8 years..Or fish Lake Ontario out of Oswego..

5. Navy:(yeah I know not P5) For all the reasons already mentioned, esp the TRADITION. 1-4 hrs from the bulk of the JMU fanbase. I'm a couple hours drive.

6. Army: (yeah I know not P5): For all the reasons already mentioned, esp the TRADITION. 5-7 hours drive from the bulk of the JMU fansbase, I'm about 2 1/2 hrs.
-Early October would be best with the fall foliage.
-People could hit either NYC or the nearby Catskills.

7. UVA: Just to beat them again.

8. Buffalo:(yeah I know not P5)
-7 to 10 hours drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase (6+ for me), so a lot would fly.
-Certainly winnable.
-This would be purely to do Niagara Falls, about a 1/2 hr north of Buffalo (would definitely want it to be a early Sept game). For anyone who hasn't seen them, its worth the trip IMHOP. I've been there, my elderly mom hasn't, so a game @ Buffalo would be an excuse to take her.

(07-20-2017 09:46 AM)Smokey 1 Wrote:  

(07-14-2017 05:26 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  

(07-14-2017 09:47 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  2. Navy - OK OK they aren't P5, but I'll make a slight convenient exception for the Mids like most of the P5 conferences do when demanding they play P5 opponents OOC...I've been there 3 times and talk about the greatest, classiest welcoming fanbase in the world...watching the Mids march onto the field is a wonderful thing and then when the Mids do a salute to the opposing fans' section it just makes it even better...again, driveable for a lot of JMU fans...Annapolis is a great place to just walk around for hours for those who have never been there, the Naval Academy museums alone are worth it

I'd always welcome playing Navy. Went there as an MRD in '88 and '89. The year we played the Navy Hymn and the whole place just stopped....it was amazing. Their fans were so thankful and gracious as we left the stadium, it was one of the very best memories I have of my time at JMU.

I wouldn't mind seeing us schedule winnable P5 games, even if the payout is a little less. Thinking Duke (though maybe not as winnable as it used to be), Vandy, Wake Forest. The Pitt idea's a good one too

Unfortunately Navy is not inclined to play JMU in football again after the Dukes beat them in 2 out of 3 of the games in a series we had with them the last time they played us. They had a contract for another 3 game series that the Navy backed out of after they were embarrassed at their homecoming games twice.

Also, they are nearly impossible to schedule these days. It was different when they were independent but now they have a full AAC slate and annual OOC games with Army, Air Force, and Notre Dame. So they usually only have one variable game per year on their schedule and it seems they prefer to schedule G5 schools which makes sense for them. I'd love to go see JMU play them there but slim chance it's going to happen in the near future at least. If JMU were to move up to any of the G5 conferences I think it'd be a huge win/win for both schools.

** Edit: Did see they're hosting Lehigh in '18, Holy Cross in '19, and Lafayette in '20. Those decent FCS opponents but perhaps you're right in they want no part of us. I have to think Bourne has tried.

(07-20-2017 11:50 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Pretty much going with teams JMU hasn't played, or at least in a quarter century or so.

1. Penn State
-106.5k capacity stadium (only 2nd? to Michigan)
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Roughly about 3.5 hrs from JMU & DC, 5 hrs Richmond, 6-7 from Tidewater, so for almost everyone would be at least 1 overnight.
-Only about a 3 hr drive from where I live outside of Philadelphia.

2. Tennessee:
-102.5k capacity stadium.
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase (JMU, DC/Nova, Richmond, Tidewater), little further than PSU. Roughly between 5-8 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase, so would be 1-2 overnights for everyone.
-9 hr drive for me, but enroute I could visit family in the Shenandoah Valley, same as I usually do for JMU home games.
-Only an hr from Gatlinburg & the Great Smokies, people could make it a 4-5 day trip (or longer) and spend time in the Smokies.

3. Pitt:
-For all the reasons that Purple mentioned.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase, a little further than PSU. Roughly between 4-7 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase..
-Only about a 4.5 hr drive for me.

4. Syracuse:
-Bulk of the JMU fanbase would between 7-9 hour drive, too far for some. Bout a 4 hr drive for me.
-I'd get a day of fishing in on the Salmon River about 1/2 hr+ further north. Have done double digit guided float trips up there in the last 8 years..

5. Navy:(yeah I know not P5) For all the reasons already mentioned, 1-4 hrs from the bulk of the JMU fanbase. I'm a couple hours drive.

6. Army: (yeah I know not P5): For all the reasons already mentioned, 5-7 hours drive from the bulk of the JMU fansbase, I'm about 2 1/2 hrs.
-Early October would be best with the fall foliage.

7. UVA: Just to beat them again.

8. Buffalo:(yeah I know not P5)
-7 to 10 hours drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase (6+ for me), so a lot would fly.
-Certainly winnable.
-This would be purely to do Niagara Falls, about a 1/2 hr north of Buffalo (would definitely want it to be a early Sept game). For anyone who hasn't seen them, its worth the trip IMHOP. I've been there, my elderly mom hasn't, so a game @ Buffalo would be an excuse to take her.

All of these would be good, although JMU football is about the only reason I can think of in life to go to Buffalo. Only thing is based on my observation, JMU seems to concentrate a lot of recruiting resources to the Carolinas. They probably spend more time there than anywhere outside of VA. So, I think that's why we haven't really seen scheduling going further North than Maryland. Probably why you see UNC, NC State, Duke, ECU, WVU. If they stay with that strategy, some other good opponents might be Wake, perhaps Vandy, and South Carolina (although not likely after Houston's Citadel team knocked them off). Although I'd love to get to a game at Clemson, I'd be a little worried about that getting ugly.

(07-22-2017 10:24 AM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-20-2017 11:50 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Pretty much going with teams JMU hasn't played, or at least in a quarter century or so.

1. Penn State
-106.5k capacity stadium (only 2nd? to Michigan)
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Roughly about 3.5 hrs from JMU & DC, 5 hrs Richmond, 6-7 from Tidewater, so for almost everyone would be at least 1 overnight.
-Only about a 3 hr drive from where I live outside of Philadelphia.

2. Tennessee:
-102.5k capacity stadium.
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase (JMU, DC/Nova, Richmond, Tidewater), little further than PSU. Roughly between 5-8 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase, so would be 1-2 overnights for everyone.
-9 hr drive for me, but enroute I could visit family in the Shenandoah Valley, same as I usually do for JMU home games.
-Only an hr from Gatlinburg & the Great Smokies, people could make it a 4-5 day trip (or longer) and spend time in the Smokies.

3. Pitt:
-For all the reasons that Purple mentioned.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase, a little further than PSU. Roughly between 4-7 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase..
-Only about a 4.5 hr drive for me.

4. Syracuse:
-Bulk of the JMU fanbase would between 7-9 hour drive, too far for some. Bout a 4 hr drive for me.
-I'd get a day of fishing in on the Salmon River about 1/2 hr+ further north. Have done double digit guided float trips up there in the last 8 years..

5. Navy:(yeah I know not P5) For all the reasons already mentioned, 1-4 hrs from the bulk of the JMU fanbase. I'm a couple hours drive.

6. Army: (yeah I know not P5): For all the reasons already mentioned, 5-7 hours drive from the bulk of the JMU fansbase, I'm about 2 1/2 hrs.
-Early October would be best with the fall foliage.

7. UVA: Just to beat them again.

8. Buffalo:(yeah I know not P5)
-7 to 10 hours drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase (6+ for me), so a lot would fly.
-Certainly winnable.
-This would be purely to do Niagara Falls, about a 1/2 hr north of Buffalo (would definitely want it to be a early Sept game). For anyone who hasn't seen them, its worth the trip IMHOP. I've been there, my elderly mom hasn't, so a game @ Buffalo would be an excuse to take her.

All of these would be good, although JMU football is about the only reason I can think of in life to go to Buffalo. Only thing is based on my observation, JMU seems to concentrate a lot of recruiting resources to the Carolinas. They probably spend more time there than anywhere outside of VA. So, I think that's why we haven't really seen scheduling going further North than Maryland. Probably why you see UNC, NC State, Duke, ECU, WVU. If they stay with that strategy, some other good opponents might be Wake, perhaps Vandy, and South Carolina (although not likely after Houston's Citadel team knocked them off). Although I'd love to get to a game at Clemson, I'd be a little worried about that getting ugly.

A game at Buffalo would be a waste of our one fbs game IMO. The MAC connection is of no benefit at this point, and the regional fbs games we currently have scheduled are great for a majority of our fan base. Penn St not a bad idea, as I know we have a fairly large contingency that would drive to that game. Syracuse? Not so sure about that one either.

(07-22-2017 10:46 AM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(07-22-2017 10:24 AM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-20-2017 11:50 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Pretty much going with teams JMU hasn't played, or at least in a quarter century or so.

1. Penn State
-106.5k capacity stadium (only 2nd? to Michigan)
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Roughly about 3.5 hrs from JMU & DC, 5 hrs Richmond, 6-7 from Tidewater, so for almost everyone would be at least 1 overnight.
-Only about a 3 hr drive from where I live outside of Philadelphia.

2. Tennessee:
-102.5k capacity stadium.
-Great (from what I've seen on TV, heard & read) atmosphere- never been to a game there.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase (JMU, DC/Nova, Richmond, Tidewater), little further than PSU. Roughly between 5-8 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase, so would be 1-2 overnights for everyone.
-9 hr drive for me, but enroute I could visit family in the Shenandoah Valley, same as I usually do for JMU home games.
-Only an hr from Gatlinburg & the Great Smokies, people could make it a 4-5 day trip (or longer) and spend time in the Smokies.

3. Pitt:
-For all the reasons that Purple mentioned.
-Driveable for most of the fanbase, a little further than PSU. Roughly between 4-7 hrs drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase..
-Only about a 4.5 hr drive for me.

4. Syracuse:
-Bulk of the JMU fanbase would between 7-9 hour drive, too far for some. Bout a 4 hr drive for me.
-I'd get a day of fishing in on the Salmon River about 1/2 hr+ further north. Have done double digit guided float trips up there in the last 8 years..

5. Navy:(yeah I know not P5) For all the reasons already mentioned, 1-4 hrs from the bulk of the JMU fanbase. I'm a couple hours drive.

6. Army: (yeah I know not P5): For all the reasons already mentioned, 5-7 hours drive from the bulk of the JMU fansbase, I'm about 2 1/2 hrs.
-Early October would be best with the fall foliage.

7. UVA: Just to beat them again.

8. Buffalo:(yeah I know not P5)
-7 to 10 hours drive for the bulk of the JMU fanbase (6+ for me), so a lot would fly.
-Certainly winnable.
-This would be purely to do Niagara Falls, about a 1/2 hr north of Buffalo (would definitely want it to be a early Sept game). For anyone who hasn't seen them, its worth the trip IMHOP. I've been there, my elderly mom hasn't, so a game @ Buffalo would be an excuse to take her.

All of these would be good, although JMU football is about the only reason I can think of in life to go to Buffalo. Only thing is based on my observation, JMU seems to concentrate a lot of recruiting resources to the Carolinas. They probably spend more time there than anywhere outside of VA. So, I think that's why we haven't really seen scheduling going further North than Maryland. Probably why you see UNC, NC State, Duke, ECU, WVU. If they stay with that strategy, some other good opponents might be Wake, perhaps Vandy, and South Carolina (although not likely after Houston's Citadel team knocked them off). Although I'd love to get to a game at Clemson, I'd be a little worried about that getting ugly.

A game at Buffalo would be a waste of our one fbs game IMO. The MAC connection is of no benefit at this point, and the regional fbs games we currently have scheduled are great for a majority of our fan base. Penn St not a bad idea, as I know we have a fairly large contingency that would drive to that game. Syracuse? Not so sure about that one either.

Yeah, of all mentioned, Buffalo doesn't get me very excited either and the payday would not be substantial at all. I'd much rather play someone like Marshall if it's not going to be a P5. I've been through Syracuse several times on the way to Canada and I agree with you on that one as well. It's actually kind of a depressing town to be honest so I don't think it'd bring much allure for our fans to make that trip. Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but if we're gonna go North, there are more desirable places, some of which were noted. Rutgers might be a good one as well.

All this said, I think we all realize that these things are dictated by the FBS schools so in some sense we have to kind of take what we can get.