Three days! We seem to have a bunch of related threads, but not a game day thread yet .... so here we go!

History: JMU leads the series 1-0.
Last matchup was Sept 10, 1994 : 24-22 JMU win.

MTSU 2021 Results: 7-6, Won the BAHAMAS BOWL vs Toledo
Wins: Monmouth, Marshall, UConn, USM, FIU, FAU, Toledo
Losses: VT, UTSA, Charlotte, Liberty, WKU, ODU

MTSU game notes

JMU game notes

I also found it interesting that JMU had played (and defeated) MTSU previously. Back in '94 MTSU was I-AA playing in the Ohio Valley Conference. They made the jump to I-A in 1999.

JMU 31 - MTSU 28, last second field goal from the Dukes to open up our first FBS season with some drama.

only way we win is scoring more than 35 points.

bad matchup for us with the way they play and our weaknesses.

I see high scoring game.....41-35 win for JMU.

While I am concerned about JMU, they are playing a team that has just as many questions as we do... probably more.
I feel really good about our offensive and defensive lines and believe we'll be able to put up points against them. On the other side, I think they'll be able to put up points against us as well. I'm very concerned about the CB position and playing an air raid team doesn't help.
I think the key in this game is how well they can stop our running game. If they make us one dimensional, I don't like our chances.
But I don't think they can stop our running game.
JMU 37
MTSU 31

I am so fired up for this game! Excited and nervous as this game really means a lot in the trajectory of this year. If we lose this game, I think we'll need to seriously re-evaluate the trajectory of this season.
I feel like this is a must win game, and I cannot recall a season opener that was this important.

(08-31-2022 10:27 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  only way we win is scoring more than 35 points.

bad matchup for us with the way they play and our weaknesses.

I see high scoring game.....41-35 win for JMU.

Perhaps. MTSU will likely have some quick strikes with the air raid system, but JMU will be looking to pound the ground game some, which can eat a lot of clock. I'm thinking 31-20

Week 1 of SBC football at the house

(08-31-2022 10:50 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  Week 1 of SBC football at the house

You're supposed to pack that up and bring it to the tailgate!

(08-31-2022 10:49 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(08-31-2022 10:27 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  only way we win is scoring more than 35 points.

bad matchup for us with the way they play and our weaknesses.

I see high scoring game.....41-35 win for JMU.

Perhaps. MTSU will likely have some quick strikes with the air raid system, but JMU will be looking to pound the ground game some, which can eat a lot of clock. I'm thinking 31-20

If it's a lower scoring game, I think that plays into our hands. While I predicted a high scoring game, I don't think that's in our best interest.

Oh, dear! I am far more nervous about this matchup than expected! I must hurry and find my fellow Duke Droid so that we may provide moral support for each other. Now where is he...?

I am predicting a high scoring game. The Blue Raiders air raid offense will cause problem in our thin secondary.

Dukes win FBS opener in a tight, back and forth match. (42-41)

As an interesting datapoint:
Samford lost 52-70 last year to Florida.

Mitch Stewart was their OC and is now at MTSU.
Most games were high scoring.
Their lowest points was 13 against Chattanooga.
Second lowest was 27 against UT Martin and Wofford.

Our secondary will have their work cut out for them.

I have no clue what to expect with this game. I will be watching with a keen eye on the o-line and how the secondary plays. QB execution should be ok with a seasoned college leader back there. So excited.

MTSU 17
Dukes 27

Thornton with a big play for one of the TD's, and Black has a huge day on the ground.

A typical air raid system features 4 WRs and 1 RB in a shotgun formation with the linemen spread out a bit. It's a fast no-huddle system that focuses on quick short passes that spread things out. How much separation and YAC their receivers gain will be a factor.

It will be interesting to see how we respond to this. I'd expect a good amount of blitzing and QB pressure. How well we contain the QB on scrambles may be another big factor.

I see us controlling the clock with long, slow (some will be quick) drives that keep their offense on the bench. We will wear out their D in the second half and run away with the game.

I have more confidence in our defense than some here. I believe it is going to frustrate the ponies to not be able to move the ball. They will be a one-dimensional team, and as is our trademark, their quarterback is going to be under constant pressure.

The biggest mistake we can make is if Cig gets all pass-happy. He has lost us a few big games that way. It is simply a mistake. Presuming Centeio will start, we should keep the ball on the ground and mix in a few quarterback draws and other designed QB run plays. A good running quarterback is demoralizing to a defense and neutralizes its effectiveness substantially. We need to pass only enough to keep the defense honest. 10 or 12 pass attempts for the game is plenty.

We hold MTSU to less than 200 yards of offense. We get two or three picks.

Dawgs 38
Ponies 13

We will break them. 55-13 Dukes!

Really don't know what to expect from this game at all. We're playing a middle of the pack G5 team but there are so many question marks on the JMU roster this year. With MTSU running an air raid, I'm concerned about our corners and their ability to stop dink and dunk passes. But I know that the stadium is going to be filled with energy and I think our offensive line will allow our talented backfield to have a big day.

JMU - 28
MTSU - 23

The Dukes return less than half of their starters and didn’t get many plug and play transfers to fill the holes. Seems like the overall talent is less than it has been in 7 or 8 years.
Even so, MTSU is a below avg FBS team and they are playing on the road.
This is one of the easier home games this year. Gotta win the easy ones even when in a transition year and with a roster mostly comprised of FCS recruits.
JMU would have smoked them in the past 5 years even with a fully FCS roster

Dukes 27
Raiders 24