3 Matchups to Watch: JMU


Now that we are just one day away, it is time to put a bow on this week.  There are tons of rumors swirling online that JMU could be without their starting tight end, Jonathan Kloosterman, who is primarily a blocker and also starting corner Curtis Oliver may not play.  JMU is banged up but still incredibly talented.  Most of the prognosticators are favoring JMU by a touchdown or less.  I still think the Jacks win this game but I am expecting a battle.

3 Matchups to Watch
1. Jackrabbit pass rush vs. JMU QB Bryan Schor
The Jackrabbits pass rush has picked up the second half of the season.  I would hope the Jacks would follow the formula they used to stymie NDSU.  Stop the run on 1st & 2nd down and then apply pressure and force the QB to leave the pocket and throw on the run.  Against Weber State it appeared that Schor really struggled throwing on the move.  I hope the Jacks attack with the same game plan.  Ryan Earith, Kellen Soulek, Elijah Wilson, Austin Smenda, Chase Kern, Thomas Stacker, and Spencer Hildahl can all get home and have in the back half of this season.  Against an injury depleted JMU offensive line they need to dominate. 

2. Dallas Goedert vs. JMU safety Jordan Brown
The talk from JMU fans this week is that Dallas Goedert has never seen a safety like Jordan Brown.  I'm guessing Robbie Grimsley, Trey Dempsey, Elijah Campbell, and Alex Kocur would have something to say about that.  It's my belief that Jordan Brown has never seen a tight end like Dallas Goedert.  On the season Goedert has 67 receptions for 1068 yards and 6 TDs.  These statistics include games where Dallas only played a handful of snaps.  Brown has 66 total tackles, 7 interceptions, and 4 pass break ups. This should be an excellent matchup to follow throughout the game.  

3. Jackrabbit Offensive Line vs. JMU Defensive Line
For the 13th week in a row, the Jackrabbit offensive line is a matchup to watch.  For most of the year they have answered the bell and provided an excellent effort.  This week they may have to play their best.  Darrious Carter, Simeyon Robinson, Cornell Urquhart, and the start of the unit Andrew Ankrah are four individually good players.  Collectively they form a great unit.  All have more than 3.5 sacks on the season and they rush as a unit not creating gaps for the quarterback to escape through.  When the front four of JMU are able to apply pressure on their own, it leaves 7 defenders to blanket the receivers.  The Jacks offensive line will have to contain this group so that JMU has to send an extra defender to get pressure on Taryn.  I think ultimately, this is the matchup that will determine the outcome of the game.  If Taryn is sacked 3 or more times, the Jacks don't have a shot to win.  

Go Jacks!
-Matt

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 18, 2017 at 3:50 PM

    No rants and raves yet on JMU? Can't say I blame you. I'd like to forget too.

    ReplyDelete

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