JMU football opens playoff action this weekend with a matchup against Stony Brook, a CAA team it did not face during the regular season.
Stony Brook took down Lehigh in a lopsided 59-29 game in the first round of the playoffs to advance to the second round, where JMU lies in wait. The Dukes had the first weekend off after securing the No. 1 overall seed in the playoff field.
So how does the game play out? Let's take a look:
[divider]COMPARE: JMU vs. Stony Brook | Raven Greene vs. Tyrice Beverette[divider]
GAME INFO:
STONY BROOK AT NO. 1 JAMES MADISON
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. ET
WHERE: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA
TV: ESPN3
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Predictions
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Brian McLaughlin:
Well folks, they didn't get to face off during the regular season — even though they were the two top teams in the Colonial Athletic Association standings. Though the CAA trophy has already been handed out and there was no share of that trophy (Stony Brook had a regular season loss to Delaware), the Seawolves would love to ruin JMU's year and stake it's own unique claim to the league title.
I just think the Dukes are going to find another gear in the playoffs like they did last year, and I don't see Stony Brook being able to move the ball well in this one.
JMU: 24
Stony Brook: 7
Bennett Conlin:
Stony Brook poses one of the toughest tests JMU has faced this season. The Seawolves are led by quarterback Joe Carbone, who's tossed 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions. They also boast a talented stable of running backs, as three players have over 390 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Despite a really solid team and a chance to prove that it's the best group in the CAA, Stony Brook won't be leaving JMU celebrating. The Dukes' defense is playing at an unbelievable level right now and Stony Brook hasn't faced a defense of this caliber all season. Expect Bryan Schor to make just enough plays to eclipse 20 points as 24 will be the number of the day. I like the Dukes to move their win streak to 24 games in 24-13 victory.
JMU: 24
Stony Brook: 13
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Brian Hansen
I liked JMU's odds in this game prior to the Stony Brook coach deciding to run his mouth a bit after beating a 5-6 team at home last weekend. The Dukes are coming off a bye week, playing at home, and own the nation's longest winning streak in Division I football. Add to that list of advantages a little bit of extra motivation by Coach Priore saying he is winning the conference title this week, and I feel that much batter about things.
That being said, this is the playoffs and little things like penalties, turnovers, and special teams can make all the difference. Stony Brook is plenty talented to come in here and win, so the Dukes need to find that right balance between confident and arrogant. Ultimately, I think a refreshed and confident JMU defense will carry the day and the Dukes put this one in the win column.
JMU: 31
Stony Brook: 13
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Jeff Gimpel
It seems as though almost every week the match-up for JMU has the same narrative, that this week’s opponent will be the toughest and hardest to beat yet and somehow, it seems like JMU doesn’t even flinch. This team is loaded with talent, experience, intelligence, top-tier athleticism and all of that is lead by an excellent and championship caliber coach staff.
We learned at the end of the regular season that Elon, despite a very solid record, had a lot of holes. Bennett Conlin said before the Elon game that their record was a bit of fool’s gold because many of Elon’s wins were close one possession games, and Stony Brook looks to be in the same boat.
This game should be intriguing, at least through the first half, but with these two teams there is a big difference. Stony Brook is a good football team, but JMU is a great football team. Im taking the Dukes, 30-7 over the Seawolves.
JMU: 31
Stony Brook: 7
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