I think we have a lot of the pieces in place to win several games this year. I donāt care by how much, just win!
It was interesting that their coach is concerned about what to expect from us. That is a good sign. He isnāt confident and it will hopefully show. Players reflect their coaches.
Depth is going to be important this Saturday. Players will be tired and we have to push JMU to their limits. We also have to have leadership at the QB position and above all, results. If everyone does their jobs, we will win.
Not going to be easy but so what. Time to start a new era of winning at Charlotte. Go Niners!
JMU has an excellent program but if youāre going to get them now is the time. They have a first year head coach and all the turnover that results because of that. Thereās no way to know how good theyāll be this year but Iād rather play them game one than game twelve.
I am very cautiously optimistic about this seasonā¦if our defense can maintain last seasonās levels, Iāve no doubt weāre better on offenseā¦Saturday is one of the games that I get why weāre the underdogs, but I just feel like weāve upgraded across the board.
I get why JMU is considered the favorite, but I would suggest that thereās more to re-establish for the Dukes because of what was lost from last seasonās team. Admittedly, I donāt follow that program at all, I know its history, but in todayās worldā¦maybe Iām just a glass-half-full kind of optimist, I think the 49ers will take this one.
Former JMU / NY Giants RB / KRās new podcast. He previews the Niner game around 36:30 mark.
Some snippets about JMU that they talked about:
Does JMU have a QB controversy or not? I think Dylan Morris is the starter and not naming him is just gamesmanship but we will see (they like Barnett too). Delvin made the remark that JMU fans were not as upset about losing their former star QB to the portal (he is at Texas State) as youād expect.
JMU (under Cignetti) used to fair catch the ball almost every time. Not sure if the new guy will. They noted that our longest punt return in team history is 46 yards (courtesy of Hunter Bailey).
they talked a bit about trying to be more dynamic on offense (2 yards and a cloud of dust on 1st and 2nd downs, then waiting for a star player to bail them out on 3rd) and finding opportunities for some guys who apparently havenāt performed quite up to expectations. One player they named was Wayne Knight who apparently was in the portal til recently but stayed.
their defensive philosophy is keyed on creating turnovers. Ball security will be key for us as they will be trying to punch it out on every play.
Didnāt get much from them Re: their OL/DL which is where I think this game will be won or lost.
Iād say itās a 7 for the program overall, but at least a 9 for this season. A win here would 1) end our home losing streak (5 games) and 2) set us on a path for a bowl. Beating a good SBC program is a solid W but wonāt move the casual observer needle all that much.
If weāre going to go bowling this season, probably need to win this one (no it doesnāt mean the season is over if we lose). JMU is a really solid program and not surprisingly favored to win.
From us- I hope to see a more discipline team. Biff has talked about the issues last years team had with penalties and stupid mistakes. Obviously- we have to get much better play from the QB position. A win Saturday would be great with UNC up next.
If we are going to stop being a joke we have to win games. Theyāve been FBS for two years. They are a prime example that greatness can be achieved in a short period of time, having has a Top 25 ranking in their first year. I know they were a really solid FCS program, but they were just that until two years ago, FCS.
The excuses have to stop and we have to start winning. If we want to get to compete for an AAC title, we should be favorites at home to JMU, not underdogs.
If we win, it will be against a solid young program and a good omen. If we lose a tight one, there are no moral victories to be had. Season will be rocky almost certainly. If we lose by two or more touchdowns, we probably wonāt win more than 3 games this year.
We need to win this and have momentum going into the cheat game. I really donāt want to be embarrassed by them on my 40th birthday.
I hope this is some Biff Jedi mind tricks. If not, the Niner curse continues. It seems that we can even defy the adage that even a broke clock is right twice a day. If what he is saying is indeed true and we still come out and win, then that should give us a lot of confidence.