Yes, the game was disappointing- we were so close to making it a game. Despite all the turnovers and 3rd down conversions West Virginia allowed, they were still right in the game up to that kickoff return. But props to LSU for winning in a very tough environment. If you don't believe that this 4-0 team should be #1 in the country after the four games that they've played, you don't deserve to call yourself a college football fan. Wins on the road against Mississippi State and WVU? Another win at a semi-neutral site over Oregon? Yeah, I'm pretty sure they deserve it. Oklahoma's best win is a team that is at .500 through four weeks and tied for last place in the ACC right now. Why not LSU?
But enough about that, I want to shift gears and focus on another team of mine that did win this weekend. No, I'm not talking about the Orioles ending Verlander's winning streak of insanity. I'm talking about the James Madison Dukes.
Last year, as JMU's football team fell into disarray, there wasn't really any hope for anything exciting. The team had used up all of its excitement in a single game- the 21-16 Blacksburg win over Virginia Tech. I don't think any JMU student would trade that day away for anything. Ever. But it needs to be said that the Dukes were incredibly mediocre and undeserving of a lot of praise after the 2-0 start to the year. They managed to upset then-top-ranked William and Mary at home in a complete where-did-come-from moment, but they didn't do a whole lot other than that after September 11, 2010.
Not the case this year. After JMU was handled by North Carolina, the Dukes have realed off three straight impressive victories: Central Connecticut State (a playoff team whether you realize it or not, people), at Liberty (ranked in the fringes of the FCS top 25), and at #5 William and Mary.
The Dukes are for real this year, folks. They aren't messing around.
That win over 20th ranked Liberty? It broke their 9-game home winning streak and most likely sent grown men crying to their beds prior to their 9:00 PM university-imposed bedtime. That W&M win? A signature win against a team hungry for some revenge. JMU not only racked up 271 yards of rushing offense (and Dae'Quan Scott had over 100 yards by himself), but they limited William and mary to 37 yards rushing. They barely averaged 1 ypc. You can't ask for much more than that out of your defense.
JMU sits around #12 in post polls right now, but as the FCS polls start to roll out today and tomorrow, expect for JMU to hop into the top 10. What you shouldn't expect, however, is for the road to get any easier. Archrival Richmond comes to town this weekend in an FCS top 10 showdown. If JMU wins, it will put us at 2-0 in the CAA. At that point, we would be in contention not just for the CAA title- we would be a serious contender for the national championship.
First thing is first. JMU cannot afford to sleep on Richmond, a team that I still have yet to see the Dukes beat as a student. We need this game not only for our CAA resume, but for our own momentum- the Homecoming game against Richmond (I'm assuming it's homecoming, since Richmond is always Homecoming) marks the first game of a crucial three-weekend homestand where we play top 10 Richmond, CAA foe Maine, and the always-dangerous Villanova. If we were to go 2-1 in that stretch, we would be a very good team. But if we could somehow make it 3-0, we would be a great team.
I think the 2009 and 2010 JMU teams have created a certain cautiousness among the students that were here and witnessed their shortcomings. We don't want to get our hopes up- those teams, after all, had such great potential too- because we've seen what happens when we do.
Throw caution to the wind people. JMU is a legitimate national title contender this year. Get out to games and support your team. When Richmond comes to Harrisonburg, Bridgeforth should be absolutely packed. We need to make that game as loud as possible. A quiet top 10 showdown is not an option.
LSU is a national title contender this year in FBS with a dominant defense, a power running game, and an opportunistic offense. If they can do it, why can't the Dukes of JMU?
This weekend: 16/19
This season: 38/42
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