Maine (4-4, 3-2) vs. JMU Dukes (3-5, 1-4)
Nov. 7, 2009 - 3:00pm - Harrisonburg, VA
Watch the game on Madizone
Weather Report
| Tailgating | 8am | 35° | 0% (precip) |
| Mid-tailgate | 11am | 54° | 0% |
| Getting into the stadium | 2am | 61° | 0% |
| Kickoff | 3pm | 61° | 0% |
| Game over | 6pm | 54° | 0% |
Line for the game
JMU by 6.5
Injuries
At long last, reports are that WR Kerby Long (and backup QB) and CB Mike Allen will be back. CB Taveion Cuffee (ankle), TB Griff Yancey (foot), and TB Lee Reynolds (ankle) are all out this week. LB Jamie Veney (knee) out for season.
The Numbers (game averages)
JMU Sagarin Strength of Schedule: 62.84 (116)
JMU Rushing Offense: 170 yds - Maine Rushing Defense: 163 yds
JMU Passing Offense: 153 yds - Maine Passing Defense: 213 yds
JMU Total Offense: 323 yds - Maine Total Defense: 376 yds
JMU Scoring Offense: 20 - Maine Scoring Defense: 23
Sacks: 2.88 - Sacks allowed: 1.63
Maine Sagarin Strength of Schedule: 59.82 (129)
Maine Rushing Offense: 120 yds - JMU Rushing Defense: 143 yds
Maine Passing Offense: 212 yds - JMU Passing Defense: 150 yds
Maine Total Offense: 331 yds - JMU Total Defense: 293 yds
Maine Scoring Offense: 21 - JMU Scoring Defense: 21
Sacks: 2.13 - Sacks allowed: 1.88
What to watch
On offense, we just need to keep doing what we did the second half of last week. Now that Thorpe has confidence, he's playing up to where I would expect him to be. He's still not perfect, but he's getting a lot better at putting the ball where it needs to be. He was, after all, the CAA player of the week last week. He'll really be able to shine tomorrow against a sub-par defense. It's gonna be ideal football conditions and Thorpe will be able to run and throw it all over Maine's defense. The offense just needs to get in a rhythm and limit turnovers. There's no need to force anything against Maine.
Maine's offense is nothing special. They have a weak running game, but a fairly good passing game. This means we can focus on shutting down the passing game and make them run. I don't see them being able to stick with our defense line. There were 8 sacks last week against Delaware. Moats, Daniels, Bryant, and company are gonna be looking to tee off on Maine's QB. Plus, if we start bringing in blitzes like we did last week, it will definitely throw them off (btw, for those that weren't watching last week, Scotty should have had a forced fumble, but they called it an incomplete pass). If we mix up rushing 3 guys like last week with a few corner blitzes, it could be a rough game for Maine. Chase Williams also won CAA rookie of the week last week with his outstanding play against Delaware. I could pretty much point to every player on the defense to look for. Entire D-line...outstanding. Scotty McGee played the best game of his career on defense against Delaware. Pat and Chase Williams...great players, especially when they play well in the same game. Jakarie Jackson...can't say enough about this true freshman. He will be a beast in the next year or two and will be a name people remember.
Both teams are out of the playoffs, so this is for pride. JMU will be showing off their seniors as much as possible to get looks from scouts and trying to get the younger guys some experience for next year. The Dukes have by no means given up and will be fighting hard to try to get to the 6-5 winning record by year's end.
The Series
JMU has an 8-4 series lead including winning the last three. JMU is also 4-1 at home against Maine.
My Thoughts
Last week, Maine took down UMass 19-9. We took down Delaware 20-8. Both teams pulled upsets and are at an emotional high. I just don't see Maine having the talent to pull this one out. Barring 3 or more turnovers I think JMU wins this game. Thorpe is finally in a rhythm and will be playing the worst defense since Liberty or Hofstra. Our offense will be able to get us about 20 and I really don't think our defense is going to give up more than 17 at the most. JMU will be playing in front of a crowd that thought they were down and out, but has built up excitement again after last weeks big win. The key to the game will be turnovers for our offense and how well their offensive line can hold back our beasts on the defensive line.
Windbreaker prediction: JMU - 24, Maine - 13
Game Notes
JMU Game Notes
Score Updates
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And as always...
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