Consortium IV: Withers, Lee Kick Off New Era of JMU Football at Maryland

Ready for some football? We sure are.

The Consortium posts have generally been reserved for Men's Basketball, but the numbers I've been getting on these posts are astronomically high. Mix in the fact that we had a blast doing it last time, and I decided to get another gang together to talk JMU football.

Our panelists today:

• Matt Jones, JMU football beat writer for the Daily News Record
• JMU Sports Blog (check out their own preview here!)
• Wayne Epps, Sports Editor at JMU's The Breeze
• Dylan Garner, Sports Producer at the Richmond Times Dispatch
• Me. Your lonely servant of truth, knowledge, and total bullshit.

1. Everett Withers and the athletic department have promised a new era of JMU football. For a program that's only played a handful of meaningful games since 2008, that means conference title contention and playoff appearances. Yet for all the internal expectations, JMU was slotted for an underwhelming eighth place finish by CAA coaches. So which is it: Brave New World, or Same Old, Same Old?

Matt Jones: Brave New World. Although I didn’t cover the team last year, it sounds like nothing is the same as previous years. Withers is more strict, cracking down on distractions and like you said, ushered in a “New Era” of JMU football. Whether those changes are for the better are still to be determined.

JMU Sports Blog: Brave New World. Or at least it better be. The fact is that as high as JMU football climbed during the Mickey Matthews era, the program had plateaued the past few seasons. There was talent on the roster, but the team consistently under-achieved since the run to the semi-finals in 2008. There's really no excuse for a program with the resources of JMU's to not be a perennial playoff team.

A fresh approach and a break from the past was needed, and Withers brings both those things. He's put his stamp on the program, emphasizing effort and accountability both on and off the field. There might be some growing pains as the new coaches install new systems and new players work their way into the rotation. JMU being slotted to finish near the bottom of the CAA might just be indicative of that. Or it could be some attempt by the voters to over-correct after grossly overrating the Dukes for the past 3-4 years. 

Wayne Epps: Brave New World -- but it's going to take time. JMU obviously has talent right now, but at the same time, you can't necessarily expect guys to grasp new systems on both sides of the ball right away. There's going to be some struggles this season, it's inevitable. But there also will be things to build on, this season will be a good benchmark. Then next season, when JMU will likely have several returning starters back and its first full recruiting class in place, we might be able to start defining this new era. 

Dylan Garner: I believe there are positive things to come for the JMU program, but I’m not expecting Withers to blow up the CAA from the get-go. Outside of the new system, coaches and QB, we have to keep in mind how much they’ve lost. There’s a reason why I see Stephon Robertson’s Dudley trophy every time I enter the Times-Dispatch office. Losing him and other crucial players such as Da’Quan Scott is going to make an impact that will need to be accounted for — regardless who is at the helm. This is undoubtedly longer than a one-year process.

Chase Kiddy: Eh. I’m not sure it’ll be as easy as waving the wand, sending Mickey Matthews to ESPN, and winning national championships. But to be fair, I’m not sure anyone with any sort of credentials or sports savvy is suggesting that.

Long term, I do believe that Withers will be successful at JMU though. The big problem in the post-Landers era of JMU football is that the Dukes have had an identity crisis. I’ve beat on this horse for years, so I won’t enumerate the ways that the offense has sputtered and morphed from series to series over the last five years. With Withers at the helm, it certainly feels like JMU has a much more clearly defined sense of self and toughness – not a fake, on-paper, gangstas-in-the-locker-room toughness, but a real self-discipline that the program may have finally rediscovered.

2. Finish the sentence: If JMU is successful this season, it'll be because of _______________________. 

Matt: Lavaedeay Monlique (Vad) Lee. JMU’s transfer quarterback will be the engine that makes JMU stop or go, and I think that’s a good thing. He’s looked great in the preseason, and he’s got the pedigree (former 3-star recruit) to carry the Dukes if the situation warrants it.

JMUSB: Vad Lee is probably the obvious answer, since he's the man running the Dukes' offense. And it's probably true that the offense will go as far as Lee takes them. You could just as easily say "the defense" though. 

Under Matthews JMU tended to play a "bend but don't break" style of D. When it worked it was great. When it didn't, it was a disaster. Withers and the coaches insist that JMU is going to force the issue, get up in receivers faces, and play a pressing style. If they can do it effectively, JMU could make a run.

Wayne: Consistently strong play up front on both offense and defense. The running game is what is going to make the offense tick. So if the new group of players on the offensive line can provide lanes for Khalid Abdullah, Alden Hill, John Miller, Vad Lee, etc., it'll allow co-offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer to open up the playbook. 

Then Withers said the Dukes' defensive linemen make up the strongest unit on the team. That whole new 3-4 front is going to be interesting to watch. The 6-foot-3, 311-pound Xavier Gates steps in at nose guard, a transfer from Kansas State. And former defensive ends Sage Harold and Ascene Jacques look like they can fit in well as 3-4 outside linebackers. How effective they are in stopping the run and getting off the field will dictate a lot about JMU's overall success. 

Dylan: Vad Lee. ALL EYEZ ON LEE. A successful system based around an ACC-caliber quarterback could seriously be deadly. We know Vad is one talented dude, but he’ll need a nice playbook to complement those skills. A nice mix of both could mean great things.

Chase: Vad Lee seems like the obvious answer, since he’s a former ACC quarterback who has the talent and ability to take JMU back to the days of conference championships and deep playoff runs. But JMU hasn’t ever been talentless. Start naming off all the great talents JMU has had on offense over the years – it’s not a short list. If JMU is going to be successful this season and in seasons to come, it’s because they get the most out of the considerable talent on the roster, and that starts at the top with the coaching staff.

3. What game do you have circled on your calendar this season? 

Matt: Well I don’t have a calendar so nothing is circled, but one game that intrigues me is that Villanova game in Week 4. After Maryland and Lehigh on the road to start the season, JMU returns home for a cupcake game against St. Francis, then immediately returns to the road for a game against the CAA’s preseason No. 2 team. That’ll be a big one.

JMUSB: Hmm, our initial reaction is "not Elon." With all due respect to the Pheonix, we still don't understand the logic of adding a small, private school, with limited football success to the CAA. But that's a conversation for another day. 

We really get excited for all of the traditional CAA match-ups with schools like Delaware, W&M, Nova, and Richmond. Lately, even Towson has become a game to look forward to. Villanova might be the one that jumps out at most though.

It will be the Dukes first CAA match-up and it might be a bit of an indicator of what the season has in store. A big win over one of the preseason favorites, would be a huge confidence boost. And the truth is that as much as we look forward to games against W&M and Richmond, those games won't mean as much if the Dukes stumble in the weeks leading up to them.

Wayne: The Villanova game Sept. 20 really stands out to me. JMU will travel to Philadelphia for its first CAA tilt, likely coming off of an easy home opener win against Saint Francis the week prior. I think this game will be a good first measuring stick for the Dukes. Villanova will be tough, the Wildcats are picked to finish second in the conference. How JMU comes out and plays that weekend will set the tone for the rest of conference play. If the Dukes win, they'll be confident they can win every remaining game on the schedule. If JMU loses, it will have to dig itself out of that hole quickly at home against Delaware Sept. 27. 

Dylan: I think I’ll be interested to watch the teams in most matchups, particularly this weekend’s against Maryland. But I’m most curious to see how the JMU fans will react to this new era. Will there be a renewed sense of support for this team? Even in the non-Homecoming, non-Family Weekend, non-rivalry games? That’s what I’ll be focusing on.

Chase: Plenty of folks are probably going to eye the conference opener with Villanova on September 20, and that makes total sense. Nova was tabbed to finish second in the conference, and games between the Cats and Dogs have traditionally been pretty entertaining. But odds are, with a new coaching staff, new schemes, and mostly new offensive parts running the show, a September game in Philadelphia is a likely loss. There’s too much uncertainty and too much stacked against JMU to reasonably expect a win from that game in the preseason.

Instead, I’m more interested in the Delaware game one week later. When JMU plays its first conference home game, the Dukes are likely to be sporting a 1-3 overall record and spoiling from a shellacking one week earlier. How they play against a rival like Delaware – whether they win convincingly, win marginally, or lose at home – will probably dictate the tone and expectations for the remainder of the season. 

4. Let's move on to this weekend. JMU travels to College Park for the Terps' first game as a Big 10 school, and the first matchup since the Dukes took Maryland to overtime in 2009. What positional matchup between the Dukes and the Turtles ends up being the most critical this Saturday?

Matt: In big I-A/I-AA games, the line of scrimmage is typically the biggest mismatch, but I actually think JMU matches up well there. I’ll go with the Maryland WRs vs. JMU’s secondary. Young JMU DBs struggled last year while Maryland has possibly the best receiving corps in the Big Ten. Yeah, I’d say that’s a mismatch.

JMUSB: The JMU secondary against the Terps receivers. Last year the Dukes pass coverage struggled. It was probably due both to inexperience and scheme (Matthews loved having his guys give 10 yard cushions). Fans were a little harsh on the young defensive backs, particularly Taylor Reynolds, who struggled at times after converting from offense, but also made some big plays. We think he'll improve this year as will the rest of the pass D. 

This Saturday's game might be more of a learning experience than a dominant performance though. Maryland has some speedy and talented receivers, particularly Stefon Diggs. If the Dukes can keep the receivers in check and get to QB CJ Brown, they'll have a chance. If Diggs and the other receivers make big plays early, it could be a long day though. 

Wayne: Maryland's wide receivers against JMU's secondary. It's no secret that Maryland has some dangerous pieces at receiver with the likes of Stefon Diggs, Deon Long and Levern Jacobs. Diggs was on pace to lead the group last season with 587 yards and three touchdowns in Maryland's first seven games, before missing the rest of the season with a broken right fibula suffered against Wake Forest October 19.

JMU's struggles in the secondary last year are no secret either. But that group was young and inexperienced last season, especially at cornerback. This year, every starter in the secondary -- Taylor Reynolds, Jeremiah Wilson, Raven Greene and Dean Marlowe -- has previous starting experience. But Maryland's receivers are going to push them hard, the Dukes can't afford to let any of them get free.

Dylan: JMU’s most dedicated tailgaters vs. the Terrapin faithful. I dunno.

Chase: It’s always fun to watch how JMU matches up against ACC schools at the line of scrimmage, but I’m interested to watch how Withers & Co. game-plan for the Terps’ outstanding receiving corps. Steffon Diggs is a human highlight reel capable of busting the big one, which would be scary against the permanent prevent defense we’re all accustomed to seeing JMU trot out on the field by now. It’ll be interesting to watch the JMU defense – which has promised more press coverage this season – try to contain Maryland’s playmakers.

5. Give us your game prediction here.

Matt: 35-10 Maryland. Too much offense from the Terps.

JMUSB: Realistically, I'm going to go with Maryland 34 - JMU 14. (note: this is Rob. I have no clue what Todd thinks. He's usually more optimistic and he'll have our preview & prediction up on the blog tomorrow. I hope I'm wrong and I need to eat crow.)

Wayne: JMU 31 Maryland 28. I think all JMU has to do is keep it close, which could rattle the Terps more and more as the game goes on. Then all it would take is one big play late for JMU to jump into the driver's seat and walk out of College Park with its biggest win since Virginia Tech in 2010.

Dylan: JMU 20 Maryland 31

Chase: Maryland 27, JMU 21. I really do think Maryland’s lack of tape on JMU’s entire team is going to be a huge problem for the Terps. But even I can’t expect a #FeartheFCS upset in Wither’s first game ever as a head coach. Still, I think we’re going to see reasons out of JMU to believe in this game. Just like a near-upset of Maryland inspired reason to believe the Dukes could be special in 2009, I think a close game here leaves the fan base disappointed with what could have been, but ultimately looking forward to a competitive season in the CAA throughout the fall where anything is possible.

6. C4G Crossover Bonus round: who do you give better odds to pull the upset this weekend -- JMU over Maryland, or West Virginia over Alabama?

Matt: JMU over Maryland. Too much of a talent disparity in that Alabama game. Sorry, Chase, you’re going 0-for-2 this weekend.

JMUSB: JMU. Saban doesn't mess around.

Wayne: JMU over Maryland. The Georgia Dome is going to be packed with raucous Alabama fans for West Virginia's matchup with the Crimson Tide. While Alabama is now without some key former starters, including quarterback A.J. McCarron, the No. 2-ranked Tide should have little problem beating a West Virginia team picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams in the Big 12. 

Maryland is much more vulnerable, even at home. The Terps lost four of their last six games last season Again, if JMU can keep it close Saturday, Maryland may be in trouble.

Dylan: It’s a bad thing when JMU has a better chance of upsetting an FBS team than your team has in beating one… but that’s exactly the case here. Sorry.

Chase: Despite the obvious and fair mythos of Saban’s Alabama teams, they’re not unbeatable – particularly early in the season, and particularly early in this season. Even though Alabama has reloaded with four and five-star recruits, the team is young and starting a runningback under center. For a full preview, I’d encourage you to read SmokingMusket’s great breakdown of the game.

With all that being said, the obvious answer here is JMU over Maryland. If the Dukes can limit the number of plays and just hang around all afternoon and into the evening, anything could happen. And shit, anything just might.