We have to score on big plays outside of the RZ saturday. SB has been shutting opponents down when they get that deep. When we're already struggling, it's clear this will continue to be a problem against one of the best RZ Ds in the nation.

(10-23-2018 11:26 AM)Potomac Wrote:  Coach Houston also said in his press conference today that Clayton Cheatem will be available for the Stony Brook game, returning from his injury. I'm a little surprised at how quickly he returned.

Still had a boot on Monday, FWIW.

(10-23-2018 11:27 AM)jmu007 Wrote:  HCMH calling out JMU Nation to be in the stadium for all 4 quarters this week. I like it!

We expect the players to play four quarters, we should be in the stadium cheering all four quarters.

i'm not sure people understand how big Cheatham's role is, and i don't mean in the passing game. he's basically like an extra OL. go back and watch games he's played in, and focus on only him. we have really missed him. people only seem to notice his receptions but he is far more valuable in the run game. he's not the biggest guy in the world but he is very effective.

Cold and intermittent showers forecast for Saturday. Could be a factor both impacting the size of the crowd, and on the field if passing is required to bust-up the 8-9 in the box D.

(10-23-2018 06:46 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  Cold and intermittent showers forecast for Saturday. Could be a factor both impacting the size of the crowd, and on the field if passing is required to bust-up the 8-9 in the box D.

It is my understanding that rain is not that much of a problem for passing but wind is the real killer.

Kinda odd that this rain is partly coming from the strong hurricane that is attacking Mexico to its west in the Pacific before it crosses over into the Gulf of Mexico bordered states and then running up the gulf stream.

There is still a decent chance it doesn’t materialize.

We will know more tomorrow.

(10-23-2018 11:27 AM)jmu007 Wrote:  HCMH calling out JMU Nation to be in the stadium for all 4 quarters this week. I like it!

Also, I wonder how many kids Rutgers has tried to poach from us, because HCMH was taking the direct shots at them today when asked about R. Carter.

Rutgers is losing commits left and right - I’m sure that they’re contacting every recruit in the nation gauging interest haha

Although still far from ideal, the weather forecast has improved in the past 24 hours. It was 100% chance of rain and 1/4" total rainfall to now just 50% chance of occasional rain showers.

Line has increased to JMU -21.

Still variability in the forecast of course but some encouraging models indicate the rain may pass thru and out by lunch Saturday. I hope so.

This is going to be a good football game. I’d take SBU to cover 21 (especially if it’s wet) but I do like JMU to win.

I like Houston essentially challenging our offense (coaches included) with some of his statements this week. He is so very good at saying the right things the right way and still lighting a fire. I won’t change my score prediction but I def like the Dukes this week.

I think a lot of posters are down on the Dukes after that Elon loss. It's understandable, but I bet MH is gonna have our guys ready. I was genuinely worried about Elon, but not as much this one, Dukes cover.

(10-24-2018 08:32 PM)JMU08 Wrote:  I think a lot of posters are down on the Dukes after that Elon loss. It's understandable, but I bet MH is gonna have our guys ready. I was genuinely worried about Elon, but not as much this one, Dukes cover.

I’m not down on the Dukes, I just don’t think we will every game by 50 points. We have flaws, specifically our OL and finishing in the red zone (the two are related IMO). Our defense made a few mistakes in the Elon game that I would be surprised to see us make again. That being said I think SBU and Towson are gonna be one score games with the Dukes prevailing.

Is SBU better this year? Is JMU worse? I say no and no. If I am correct, then why do some expect the score this year to be closer than last year? JMU will load the box and dare SBU to throw. When they do, I see JMU having at least 2 interceptions.

(10-24-2018 09:01 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Is SBU better this year? Is JMU worse? I say no and no. If I am correct, then why do some expect the score this year to be closer than last year? JMU will load the box and dare SBU to throw. When they do, I see JMU having at least 2 interceptions.

For me I think it’s the fact that (at least as of now) we are scoring TDs only about half the time (yea BDK fact check me) we get to the red zone. That’s skewed positively by a few blowout wins too. That’s a lot of points being left on the field (on the board? Whatever the damn saying is). I think we are more talented than last year but not quite executing as well on offense yet. In theory you’d apply the same strategy to SBU that we should have to Elon right? Crowd the box, make the QB beat you, contain the stud RB (SBU is more of a two headed attack). I don’t think we will get beat over the top again, by anyone. Getting some of the defensive guys back will hopefully sure up the running defense and let Wayne Davis run free a little more, but I’m still wary that SBU can a) shorten the game and b) prevent TDs in the red zone (they have a great RZ defense).

(10-24-2018 09:01 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Is SBU better this year? Is JMU worse? I say no and no. If I am correct, then why do some expect the score this year to be closer than last year? JMU will load the box and dare SBU to throw. When they do, I see JMU having at least 2 interceptions.

For me the main reason is we can’t expect JMU to intercept 5 passes again. While Carbone sucks, 5 INT’s is about as bad as he can play.
Also, Stony Brook actually outgained JMU last year from scrimmage.

I expect The Nooch to be the difference maker. He should thrive in quick, short passes. Mix in a few QB draws and/or scrambles and he could also lead the Dukes in rushing based on how Stony Brook overcommits to stopping the RB run game.

(10-24-2018 09:29 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  

(10-24-2018 09:01 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Is SBU better this year? Is JMU worse? I say no and no. If I am correct, then why do some expect the score this year to be closer than last year? JMU will load the box and dare SBU to throw. When they do, I see JMU having at least 2 interceptions.

For me the main reason is we can’t expect JMU to intercept 5 passes again. While Carbone sucks, 5 INT’s is about as bad as he can play.
Also, Stony Brook actually outgained JMU last year from scrimmage.

I expect The Nooch to be the difference maker. He should thrive in quick, short passes. Mix in a few QB draws and/or scrambles and he could also lead the Dukes in rushing based on how Stony Brook overcommits to stopping the RB run game.

I’d love to see Fettucine keep the ball on the read option a few times, if nothing else to keep the ends honest.

(10-24-2018 09:29 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  

(10-24-2018 09:01 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Is SBU better this year? Is JMU worse? I say no and no. If I am correct, then why do some expect the score this year to be closer than last year? JMU will load the box and dare SBU to throw. When they do, I see JMU having at least 2 interceptions.

For me the main reason is we can’t expect JMU to intercept 5 passes again. While Carbone sucks, 5 INT’s is about as bad as he can play.
Also, Stony Brook actually outgained JMU last year from scrimmage.

I expect The Nooch to be the difference maker. He should thrive in quick, short passes. Mix in a few QB draws and/or scrambles and he could also lead the Dukes in rushing based on how Stony Brook overcommits to stopping the RB run game.

Agree 100%. I think we are worse on offense this year than the past two years so far. I think Ben is scared to take the shots deep down the field that Bryan was not afraid of. I’ve noticed early in the year on quite a few deep balls to the boundaries that they have been insanely under thrown by 10-15 yards. This hasn’t been an issue that I recall in the past few weeks and he has dropped a few in the bucket. He will become more comfortable in the offense and we will start to use designed QB runs more as the season progresses.

Also, to touch on your 5 INT stat, we were still only able to hang 26 points on a tough Stony Brook D.

I look for a low scoring, defensive battle in the trenches with the game won by special teams. 19-14 Dukes (Ratke kicks 4 field goals again)