#5 SHSU @ #4 JMU 7 PM Friday night, ESPN2

[BDKJMU]

I thought NDSU would get the Fri night game. Guess they'll get the noon (ECB) Sat game on ESPN.

The Texas boys better bring their long Johns. Cold front coming with close to record low temps for early Dec..Accuweather currently says for Friday Harrisonburg high of 31, low of 13 with a winchill of -3..

[GannonFan]

People always seem to think that Texas is uber-warm, but the Thursday before this game it's going to be a high of 42 in Texas (around Dallas) - not exactly tropical.

[93henfan]

People always seem to think that Texas is uber-warm, but the Thursday before this game it's going to be a high of 42 in Texas (around Dallas) - not exactly tropical.

I remember watching whatever bowl they play in El Paso TX being played in the snow (not heavy accumulation mind you, but still frozen, white, flaky stuff) within the past five years.

EDIT: My bad. It was 2010.



EDIT EDIT:

It actually snowed at the Sun Bowl last year too: http://www.cbssports.com/college-footba ... -sun-bowl/

[GannonFan]

People always seem to think that Texas is uber-warm, but the Thursday before this game it's going to be a high of 42 in Texas (around Dallas) - not exactly tropical.

I remember watching whatever bowl they play in El Paso TX being played in the snow (not heavy accumulation mind you, but still frozen, white, flaky stuff) within the past five years.

Sun Bowl. Irony, indeed.

[BDKJMU]

People always seem to think that Texas is uber-warm, but the Thursday before this game it's going to be a high of 42 in Texas (around Dallas) - not exactly tropical.

From the same front rolling across the country.

According to usclimatedata.com Huntsville, TX 12/9 average daily high is 62, avg low 42.

[93henfan]

I am selfishly hoping for multiple blizzards this winter so I can put some hours on my new snowblower attachment. Is that wrong?

[BDKJMU]

SHSU #1 Scoring Offense, # 1 Total Offense
JMU # 2 Scoring Offense, # 3 Total Offense

JMU #30 Scoring Defense, #39 Total Defense
SHSU #53 Scoring Defense, #96 Total Defense

Biggest difference between the 2 teams is JMU has much better defensive #s playing against a tougher schedule.

[Grizalltheway]

So it's going to be cold, but how loud?

[Rob Iola]

Does cold affect the streamer trajectory?

[htownbearkat]

The Bearkats have never won a playoff game in cold weather outside of Bozeman, Huntsville, Cheney (2) or Philly.

[BDKJMU]

Lol at some clown in the SHSU sports media dept..#1 vs #5 my arse..

[BDKJMU]

Looking at the playoff records of the 2 coaches, both very impressive:

Mike Houston:
Div II: 5-2
2012 Lenoir Rhyne 1-1 lost 2nd round.
2013 Lenoir Rhyne 4-1 lost NC game.

I-AA: 2-1:
2015 Citadel 1-1 lost round of 16.
2016 JMU 1-0

Overall: 7-3

KC Keeler:
Div III: 21-7:
1993 Rowan 3-1 lost NC game to Mount Union.
1995 Rowan 3-1 lost NC game to Wisconsin-Lacrosse.
1996 Rowan 3-1 lost NC game to Mount Union.
1997 Rowan 2-1 lost in semis to Lycoming.
1998 Rowan 3-1 lost NC game to Mount Union.
1999 Rowan 4-1 lost NC game to Pacific Lutheran.
2001 Rowan 3-1 lost in semis to Bridgewater College (Ironically Bridgewater about 8 miles from JMU).

I-AA 17-5:
2003 UD 4-0 won NC
2004 UD 1-1 lost quarter finals @ W&M
2007 UD 3-1 lost NC game
2010 UD 3-1 lost NC game

2014 SHSU 3-1 lost semis @ NDSU
2015 SHSU 3-1 lost semis @ JSU

Overall: 38-12

[BDKJMU]

Comparing the 2 QBs:

Passing yards per game:
Briscoe: 371.6, 2nd (behind Gubrud from EWU)
Schor: 217.9, 39th. (Counts VU game where he got injured beginning of 2nd qtr. Other 10 games avg 229, which would be good for 30th, ironically 2 spots behind former JMU QB Michael Birdsong of TN Tech).

Completion %
Schor: 74.4%, 1st (186 of 250)
Brisco: 65.8%, 7th (302 of 459)

Efficiency:
Briscoe: 184.9, 1st (57 TD, 8 INT)
Schor: 182.1, 2nd (23 TDs, 4 INT)

Rushing
Schor: 522 net yards rushing (after sacks) in basically 10 games.
Briscoe: -46 yards rushing (after sacks), so obviously Schor is a running threat and Briscoe isn't.

[Rob Iola]

Lol at some clown in the SHSU sports media dept..#1 vs #5 my arse..

That's...
maybe not a picture I would use to promote this game...

[BDKJMU]

According to the Bearkats board, Briscoe might not be able to go due to his shoulder injury, apparently dislocated..The backup is a highly touted 3 star recruit true freshman.

[GannonFan]

According to the Bearkats board, Briscoe might not be able to go due to his shoulder injury, apparently dislocated..The backup is a highly touted 3 star recruit true freshman.

If Briscoe doesn't play then SHSU goes from a slight underdog to a much bigger underdog. Could always catch lightning in a bottle, but that's why they call it catching lightning in a bottle.

[Gil Dobie]

Don't forget this

[BDKJMU]

According to the Bearkats board, Briscoe might not be able to go due to his shoulder injury, apparently dislocated..The backup is a highly touted 3 star recruit true freshman.

If Briscoe doesn't play then SHSU goes from a slight underdog to a much bigger underdog. Could always catch lightning in a bottle, but that's why they call it catching lightning in a bottle.

Keeler said the plan is to give Briscoe more reps today, then have him practice in full on Thursday.

“Limiting his reps is going to be a key thing,” Keeler said. “We limited him (Tuesday) because he’s still sore and we just didn’t want to aggravate (the injury). He knows the offense inside and out, so it doesn’t really affect him too much. On Thursday, hopefully he gets a full day of reps. He looked good. He felt a lot better (Tuesday).”
http://www.itemonline.com/sports/sam_ho ... 0febd.html

Who in the heck does a full practice the day before a game? For most teams that is just a walk through. Might be some gamesmanship by Keeler..

[BDKJMU]

Sam Houston State at JMU: Matchups To Watch
https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/news/sa ... s-to-watch

Looks like JMUs 6'6"/300 All American rSr RT is doubtful. He got a high ankle sprain vs Elon. After the by week tried to play vs UNH but lasted only 2 series. The backup, a 6'4"/300 rFr has played well in the last game in a half in relief. SHSU has a stud at DE (21 tackles for loss/11 sacks). If JMU's RT is #76 its the All American. If its #68 its the backup...JMU OC was talking about doing some things so #68 isn't left in one on one situations with an All American..

[BlackFalkin]

JMU by 14. Bank it!

[BDKJMU]

Congrats to Keeler for winning the Eddie Robinson award for National Coach of the year. The Citadel HC was 2nd, and Mike Houston, the JMU HC, was 3rd.

And congrats UD- your firing of Keeler will go down as the dumbest firing in the 39 season history of I-AA football.

[Mvemjsunpx]

This has the highest shootout potential of any quarterfinal game. That isn't really deep analysis on my part, but it's worth noting nonetheless. James Madison's pass rush is weak, which is a break for Sam Houston, but the Dukes have home field, a really good secondary, and much better strength of schedule. Add to that the murky health of Jeremiah Briscoe and you should expect to see the purple & gold streamers for one more week.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Sam Houston St.
      
      Running Backs - James Madison
      
      Receivers/TEs - Sam Houston St.
      
      Offensive Line - James Madison
      
      
      Defensive Line - Sam Houston St.
      
      Linebackers --- James Madison
      
      Secondary ---- James Madison
      
      
      Kicking ------ (push)
      
      Punting ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Return Teams - James Madison
      
      Kickoffs ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      
      
      
      
      • Sam Houston St. 38-49 James Madison

[GannonFan]

Congrats to Keeler for winning the Eddie Robinson award for National Coach of the year. The Citadel HC was 2nd, and Mike Houston, the JMU HC, was 3rd.

And congrats UD- your firing of Keeler will go down as the dumbest firing in the 39 season history of I-AA football.

Yup, and made even more stupid by the subsequent hiring of Brock after that.

In reality, though, the biggest issue had always been the President at the time, Harker. He wanted to reduce the importance of college sports, and especially that of football. Keeler was someone who would get in the way of that so he had to go. That they didn't get along was just more reason. Harker's administration will always be a dark period for UD sports - question is whether the new President and AD (who are doing great so far) can pump life back into what was a mecca of FCS college football. Time will tell.

[BDKJMU]

Hero Sports got some good coverage of the game:

Sam Houston State QB Jeremiah Briscoe Has Traveled Unconventional Road
http://herosports.com/news/sam-houston- ... s-football

[BDKJMU]

James Madison Defense Will Turn The Tide Friday
The Dukes' improved offense has been key, but defense wins championships, and theirs just might.
http://herosports.com/news/james-madiso ... s-playoffs