Game Day Preview James Madison University

 

Game Day Preview:

James Madison University 

The Breakdown:

Last year JMU opened up the season against Virginia Tech and upset the Hokies in Lane Stadium.  Virginia Tech did not loose another game that season until the Orange Bowl.  JMU went on to finish the season 6-5 as an average CAA team.

Vidal Nelson

JMU's biggest strength is its defense, where the Dukes return most of its starters.  The strength of that defense is in the secondary and linebackers.  Preseason All-CAA strong safety Vidal Nelson leads a very experienced secondary.  Nelson has started 29 games and played in every game since his red shirt freshman season.  He is an aggressive, hard-nosed difference maker for the Dukes.  The linebacking core is anchored by Pat Williams and Stephon Robertson.  Williams and Robertson led the Dukes in tackles in 2010 and offer a nice combination of experience and youth.  Williams is a fith year senior that has started 31 games in his career, while Robertson started 10 games as a red shirt freshman to earn CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The key defensive matchup for the Dukes is going to be the front four.  In order for Williams and Robertson to be effective, the front four is going to have to engage the Tar Heel offensive line and keep the linebackers clean to make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage.  This should be an advantage for the Tar Heel offense.  The Tar Heel offensive line is the biggest and most athletic it has possibly ever been in Chapel Hill.  We have a significant size advantage in the trenches.  Like with most pro-style offenses, the Tar Heels will look to establish the run and build the passing game off the run.  With the disparity of size in the trenches, the O-line should get a nice push and open up solid running lanes for Houston, Bernard and Blue.  We should be able to move the ball easily.

Scott Noble

Offensively, the Dukes have a lot of question marks and the Tar Heel defense is not the best place to start when trying to answer those questions.  JMU's leading returning rusher and passer from 2010 is WR Dee'Quan Scott.   Obviously, Scott is a great athlete, but it takes a little more than athleticism at this level and it has to be concerning for the Dukes that their leading returning rusher is a wide receiver.

Last season, the Dukes ran a run-based offense, but will have to replace their leading rusher RB Jamal Sullivan, who they lost to graduation.  Scott Noble, who rushed for 360 yards and 3 TDs in 2010, returns and is now the man in the backfield.  Noble should have a little more running room as opponents should have to respect the passing game more than they did last year.  JMU will theoretically be upgrading at QB by replacing underwhelming graduate Drew Dudzik.  Justin Thorpe, who suffered a season ending injury after just three carries last year, is a dual threat quarterback that impressed in 2009 by winning the CAA Rookie of the Year award.  He beat out Jace Edwards and K-State transfer Billy Cosh for the starting spot despite the high expectations for both Edwards and Cosh.  However, JMU's coach has said that Edwards may get some snaps this Saturday.  It appears to be an unresolved situation for JMU with a starting QB that relies heavily on his ability to run coming back from a significant injury.

The Dukes's run-based offense that is breaking in new personnel has a daunting task against our front seven, which is arguably one of the best in the country with four projected NFL first rounders.  It will probably be a frustrating day for JMU head coach Mickey Matthews as he has taken back offensive play calling.

I Will Be Watching . . . 

• Special Teams - Last year we struggled with field position and that cost us at least two games.  While coverage was a challenge because of an NCAA and injury depleted roster, the distance on the punts and kick offs was concerning.  I will be watching to see who and how far the ball is traveling on special teams. 

Ryan Houston

• Ryan Houston and Gio Bernard - Both have been wearing no-contact jerseys throughout a significant portion of fall camp.  It always makes me nervous when guys are getting hit for the first time so close to live action.  Ball security and re-injury is a concern.  I will be watching to see how much work these two guys get because they are so important to our season. 

• The Secondary - The secondary will give up some big plays on the season.  We have a young, inexperienced secondary so you have to expect some inconsistent play.  However, this inexperience and youth should not cost us any games and we have the type of schedule that is perfect for gaining experience before we will be put in a position where one mistake can cost us the game.  I will be watching to see how well the Rude Boyz communicate coverage and making mental notes on the progress this unit makes throughout the season.  

John Shoop

• Play calling -  Under Coach Davis, OC John Shoop had his hands tied as Butch would radio in plays on more than a couple of occasions a game.  I expect us to focus on the run, but I am interested to see how deep into the play book Shoop gets.  I want to be aggressive and throat punch teams.  We have explosive offensive weapons and would like to see Shoop take advantage of those by helping Renner get into a rhythm and taking chances in the third quarter once the game is put away.  I traditionally don't believe in blowing teams out, especially FCS teams, but this year I want three touchdown victories in every game.  I will be watching to see how exotic our game plan is and how it develops as the game goes on.

Bold Prediction

UNC 38 - JMU 6

Offensive Stat Leaders

Rushing:  Houston - 115 yds, 3 TDs

Passing:  Renner - 18/23, 245 yds, 1 TD

Receiving:  Jones - 3 rec, 85 yds, 1 TD

Defensive Team Stats

Less than 225 yds of total offense, 5 sacks, 1 INT