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Game #2- James Madison Dukes @ Akron Zips


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Since this was the earliest post, I'm going with it as the official game thread.

I think it's pretty funny that ZTZ is calling anyone who thinks this might be a tough game "pathetic". JMU QB Birdsong is not just a runner, he is a dual-threat QB. While I still have much hope for the defense, dual-threat QBs have given the Zips trouble historically.

My main concern with this game is simple. The CAA is right there with the MAC in unbiased ranking systems such as Sagarin's. I haven't seen the updated Sagarin rankings yet, but even without last week's results included, JMU would be about a 3 point favorite. I've said it before that I think this is a toss-up. Hopefully the Zips will play much better and come out with a win. I'll save my prediction for later in the week.

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Looks like there are already two threads going. I flipped a coin and picked this one. For those who take FCS teams lightly, consider this:

Seven FCS teams cash in via upsets

It should be eight FCS teams if you coun't Samford beating Georgia State as an FBS team (which is unwise considering how pathetic they are and how likely they are to lose yet again to another FCS team this weekend).

In my first and last last rational post I'll likely make here, I will say that many JMU fans are looking forward to this matchup. You'll lost to Umass last season, a team we used to take to the woodshed when they played in the CAA. However, you do sponsor 22 more scholarships to your team and are playing at home, which is a feat that might be just tough enough to disrupt our young, ginger QB and inefficient D-line. However, we do have a linebacking core and secondary full of talent and FBS transfers from Maryland and Ole Miss which should prevent big plays and our all-CAA running back Daequan (spelled however you want it) Scott should give you'll fits from time to time. I got the Dukes pulling the upset and leaving the Zips (what is that anyway!?!?!) confused and bewildered.

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1) Bickley and MTB should play more and earlier.

2) The offensive game plan should be much more aggressive.

Those are the first two changes I would make, if I were coach. It's obvious that we needed to open things up on offense, and that Bickley and MTB are more than ready to contribute. I wonder if we'll see things switched up at the RB position, too.

Also, did he say anything about the defense? We've got some serious problems at LB and Safety, but I think a depthchart shake-up would solve things to a degree.

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Those are the first two changes I would make, if I were coach. It's obvious that we needed to open things up on offense, and that Bickley and MTB are more than ready to contribute. I wonder if we'll see things switched up at the RB position, too.

Also, did he say anything about the defense? We've got some serious problems at LB and Safety, but I think a depthchart shake-up would solve things to a degree.

He didn't mention specific changes on defense, but Dylan Evans was the "stock rising" defensive player and Nordly Capi was the defensive player of the week. TB expects the defense to play much better this week, citing a combination of a difficult matchup and and bad luck (missed turnover opportunities) for the struggles against UCF.

BTW, Bickley was "stock rising" offensive player and Hundley was the offensive player of the week

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I dont really get the side who wants Chisholm benched after one game, but maybe Im a little biased

Maybe if he ever tried to run between the tackles, people wouldn't think that. Running East-West constantly, but not having the speed to turn the corner before the defense catches up to you won't win you many fans.

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I'll take 45-17 ALL DAY LONG. Go Zips!

Also, as far as Chisholm goes, for a guy who has come very close to reaching 1000 yards each of his first two seasons, he has his fair share of detractors. Bear in mind though, the criticism didn't start with his performance last Thursday. I believe it started with the 2011 Miami game (if I'm not badly mistaken) and resurfaces intermittently. Jawon can help his reputation if he would run north/south and stay in bounds. I hope the light bulb switches on for him. I think he can be as good as he wants to be.

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Scary and potentially another embarassing game for Akron. This is probably the level(1-AA) that Akron could be consistently competetive in right now. As far as who is on the 'hot seat', looks to me like anyone in the D secondary better look out. Yes, Chisholm,who to me doesn't and hasn't looked like a RB who fits this scheme should be looking over his shoulder if the next 3 games go badly. D line looks better. O line,one more game will give a better read.

I watched the tail end of TB's show on cable tonight. He is not bubbling over with confidence as is his wont.

Saturday is a very critical game for this program folks!

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TB named Connor Hundley the Offensive POTG. But I like what I saw of DJ Jones.

I'd like to see:

More DJ Jones; less Chisholm.

More Fransohn Bickley & Mykel Traylor-Bennett; less L.T. Smith.

Our defensive front 7 is just fine.

I don't know what to do about our defensive backfield. But L.T. Smith, while being the best all-around athlete on the team, just doesn't impress me as a WR. Move L.T. back to safety. Idk, probably too late for that now.

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On Chisholm's first carry of the game at UCF, the linebacker over pursued and all he had to do was cut to the middle of the field for a big gain. Instead he tried to get the corner. If he keeps doing this, he needs to sit on the bench.

I specifically remember a run where he seemed to turn his back as he was getting hit. That bothered me. I hope I never see it again.

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On Chisholm's first carry of the game at UCF, the linebacker over pursued and all he had to do was cut to the middle of the field for a big gain. Instead he tried to get the corner. If he keeps doing this, he needs to sit on the bench.

"If you try to run outside, you'll never get there. If you run inside, you'll get outside." - Jerome Bettis

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It may be that in the game last weekend, Chisholm was shutdown as this was part of UCF's defensive game plan. Take out the running game and put the pressure on the Sophomore QB to score in the air to test their defensive backfield. It worked. Hundley came in at the end of the 2nd quarter when they were preventing the long pass. The game was much different then and at end of the 3rd and in the 4th quarter. I look for James Madison to try and shut down Chisholm again and put the pressure back on Pohl to find the open man. Should be very interesting and fun to watch, but I suspect the Chisel will have more backers after this Saturday.

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Here is an article by EA in the PD on the need to improve.

New faces: Bowden said Akron fans can expect to see more from freshmen wideouts Franshon Bickley and Mikel Traylor-Bennett, who performed admirably against the Knights with a combined six receptions for 51 yards. Freshman tailback D.J. Jones also played well, putting veteran tailback Jawon Chisholm (10 yards) on notice. Jones, 5-8, 191-pounds from Ravenna, carried the ball five times for 54 yards.

"There's something to be said for going north and south,'' Bowden said of Jones running style, compared to the shake-and-bake Chisholm. "If (Jones) does a better job, he'll be playing. DJ showed a good style. There is competition there. He was the surprise of the spring, and again in the game. He made some nice, nice, runs. He's going to earn himself some playing time."

Still No. 1: Yes, sophomore Kyle Pohl remains the starting quarterback for the Akron Zips. Bowden said Pohl's 16-of-21 passing performance for 98 yards with no touchdowns and one interception was more a reflection of the game plan.

"We probably had him a little too cautious,'' Bowden said. "Really, it was a good solid performance, but too cautious for us. But that went along with our game plan."

Look for the Zips to stretch the field more against James Madison.

"I'd say, yes,'' Bowden said. "We have to go out there and be more wide open, throw the ball downfield."
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