(04-21-2019 05:47 AM)JMURocks Wrote: (04-20-2019 09:42 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: (04-20-2019 05:47 PM)JMU08 Wrote: (04-20-2019 10:39 AM)Dukester Wrote: We got the coach I thought was our best option.
That said, the coaching change has taken a bit of my excitement and my confidence in this game. I really am not sure what to expect this year. On paper we should be a top 5 team. Will Cig be a good big game coach? I don't know. I don't recall JMU under Houston ever outmatched from the start even against FBS teams.
I have a bit of a sit back and see what happens with this season. Once again, the big game coach factor is what I wonder most about.
Time will tell.....
For me it's the opposite. Houston was a great coach for us, but still only managed to beat a really bad FBS team. Not only that, but the offense got worse year over year under him. Really excited to see what Cignetti will be able to do for JMU.
I look for our offense to improve but the defense may take a small step backwards. We lost one of the greatest defensive minds in CFB and he's gonna be hard to replace.
Yep, a couple Maine scores last year do scare me a little ... they gave up 27 to W&M (we held them scoreless), and 50 to EWU in the playoffs.
On the other hand, they did hold UNH to 7, who we gave 35 points (some due to turnovers).
Maine is known for good defense, just believe we've been spoiled on that side, and barely remember how bad it was under Withers. Hopefully our players make the difference and we won't drop off too much on D.
I am confident our running game and QB play will improve, and overall think it will be a better season than last. Just a tad scared of dropping a big game or two if the D slips.
FWIW I know W&M got a defensive score vs Maine, and EWU practically had a defensive TD (INT to Maine 1 yd line).
Maine's run defense was outstanding. Their weakness was their secondary.
National Stats (of 124 teams)
Total defense: JMU #7/Maine #17
Scoring defense: JMU #6/Maine #30
Rushing defense: Maine #1/JMU #10
Passing defense JMU #22/Maine #89
The playoffs can skew the #s somewhat. Looking at
CAA games only:
Total defense Maine #1/JMU #4
Scoring defense JMU #1/Maine #3
Rushing defense: Maine #1/JMU #4
Passing defense: Maine #3/JMU #7
https://static.caasports.com/custompages...nfonly.htm
Hetherman's 2 seasons coaching the Maine DL they were very good (2 lineman made 1srt team All CAA)
His 2 seasons as DC 2017-2018 Maine had a very good defense, and probably overachieved vis a vi personnel. He certainly didn't have the depth of talent to work with at Maine.
The only 2 mild concerns:
-Hetherman was on the ODUH defensive staff 2010-2013 when they had that great offense and god awful, charmin soft, swiss cheese defense (similar to JMU under Withers, but even worse).
-Maine has been stronger against the run than the pass. I'd hate to see something like 2013 (I don't think we would) where JMU was in the CAA #1 vs the run, #1 in sacks, and dead last in pass defense.
With essentially 11 starters back (Robinson replacing Moreland), there's no doubt, sans numerous injuries, if MH hadn't left, and had Trott back and the same defensive staff, would be the top defense in the CAA by far, rivaling the 2017 JMU defense. With Hetherman and a whole new defensive staff, keeping the same/similar 4-3 defense, I still expect JMU to have the #1 defense in the CAA, just not as quite as dominant if had Trott.