#1 NDSU vs #4 James Madison Friday Night Semi-Final

[Gil Dobie]

When reviewing the box scores for Jimmy, the one score that stands out to me is Richmond. Specifically Lauletta with over 400 yards passing. The Bison held them to 38 yards rushing and 171 passing, in the playoffs last year. Richmond also had a slight lead in TOP in the JMU game, in the Bison game, NDSU had the ball 13 more minutes than Richmond. In the JMU game, each team had over 70 plays, in Bison game, NDSU had over 70 plays while Richmond less than 50. Sure last years Richmond and Bison are not the same teams, but you can see what the Bison need to do to win. Control the ball and use up the clock and keep the JMU offense off the field.

[kalm]

When reviewing the box scores for Jimmy, the one score that stands out to me is Richmond. Specifically Lauletta with over 400 yards passing. The Bison held them to 38 yards rushing and 171 passing, in the playoffs last year. Richmond also had a slight lead in TOP in the JMU game, in the Bison game, NDSU had the ball 13 more minutes than Richmond. In the JMU game, each team had over 70 plays, in Bison game, NDSU had over 70 plays while Richmond less than 50. Sure last years Richmond and Bison are not the same teams, but you can see what the Bison need to do to win. Control the ball and use up the clock and keep the JMU offense off the field.

Yep. JMU has a solid 3rd down conversion D with two solid LB's in Steele and Hereford plus Greene at safety. Those three might be able to make some plays and get the Bizon off the field.

[BDKJMU]

Running Backs - North Dakota St.

Abdullah > Frazier..

Yeah JMU's #2 back Carson Johnson (6.2 ypc like Abdullah) has been out since the beginning of Nov, the #3 JMU is really good. At worst for JMU this is a push.

[BDKJMU]

I don't need to tell you that both of these teams had impressive victories last week. NDSU held SDSU under 200 yards, which makes one think—on the surface—that the Bison defense is totally impregnable. Before looking too far into that smothering, however, keep in mind the Jackrabbits also had less than 200 yards in their first-round win. That win came against Villanova, a team James Madison beat by double digits on the road with starting QB Bryan Schor mostly absent (he was 10/11 for 108 before leaving in the 2Q). The Dukes might be the best team NDSU faces all year, and I would probably pick them if this was a neutral field, but I think their run defense is too mediocre to get the job done in the Fargodome.

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

• • • Quarterbacks -- James Madison
      
      Running Backs - North Dakota St.
      
      Receivers/TEs - James Madison
      
      Offensive Line - North Dakota St.
      
      
      Defensive Line - North Dakota St.
      
      Linebackers --- North Dakota St.
      
      Secondary ---- James Madison
      
      
      Kicking ------ North Dakota St.
      
      Punting ------ James Madison
      
      Return Teams - James Madison
      
      Kickoffs ------ (push)
      
      
      
      
      
      • James Madison 31-35 North Dakota St.

I think you are WAAAYYYYYYY underestimating abdullah for JMU. He is the American Sports Network FCS Player of the Year and a finalist for the Payton. At best I put RBs at a push. This will be a good game and will not be decided until late.

I responded before I read your post. You're exactly right on the RBs..

[Gil Dobie]

Running Backs - North Dakota St.

Abdullah > Frazier..

Yeah JMU's #2 back Carson Johnson (6.2 ypc like Abdullah) has been out since the beginning of Nov, the #3 JMU is really good. At worst for JMU this is a push.

Frazier is the power back, he's been hurt of and on this season. Dunn has been the most consistent. Morlock is good from the FB position and can catch balls out of the backfield or lined up in the TE set. Anderson has been out most of the season, is the big play back. They try and get him 10 touches a game, that includes kick returns. Both QB's run out of the backfield, so it could be a push, no argument here.

Dunn averages 6ypc, Frazier 4.9, Stick 6.4, Morlock 7.6 and Anderson 7.4.

[dal4018]

Should be a Whale of a Game.

No 65-7 blowouts this time.

[Gil Dobie]

Should be a Whale of a Game.

No 65-7 blowouts this time.

Hoping for a good game. Got my tickets and a full tank of gas, ready to go.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Running Backs - North Dakota St.

Abdullah > Frazier..

Yeah JMU's #2 back Carson Johnson (6.2 ypc like Abdullah) has been out since the beginning of Nov, the #3 JMU is really good. At worst for JMU this is a push.

Abdullah is better than Frazier, but depth (& SoS) favors NDSU. If Cardon Johnson was healthy, I would've gone with JMU, but I'm pretty sure he's out for the year.

[BDKJMU]

Abdullah > Frazier..

Yeah JMU's #2 back Carson Johnson (6.2 ypc like Abdullah) has been out since the beginning of Nov, the #3 JMU is really good. At worst for JMU this is a push.

Abdullah is better than Frazier, but depth (& SoS) favors NDSU. If Cardon Johnson was healthy, I would've gone with JMU, but I'm pretty sure he's out for the year.

Yeah Johnson is out. He'll be back to being the feature back next year if his achilles heals (2nd major injury with it- he missed all of his rFr season in 2014 after tearing it in Spring ball).

3rd leading rusher #1 Soph Trai Sharpe (600 + yards rushing, 5.8 ypc), the #2 back since Johnson went down, will likely be the #2 back next year.

I still think it should be a push but we'll agree to sleightly disagree..

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

38-17 NDSU

[Gil Dobie]

Got all packed and ready to go, and decided to relax and stay home and not mess with the weather. Winter storm warning for today and tomorrow, and my grandson coming over, so we'll be watching on TV. Have to get Alpha the shirt some other time I guess.

[BDKJMU]

Got all packed and ready to go, and decided to relax and stay home and not mess with the weather. Winter storm warning for today and tomorrow, and [b{my grandson coming over[/b], so we'll be watching on TV. Have to get Alpha the shirt some other time I guess.

Wow I didn't know you were so...advanced in age..

[BDKJMU]

One big ? with JMU's veteran OL (3 rSr and 2 rJr) does JMU's All American/3 time All CAA RT Mitchell Kirsch #76 play? Was injured versus Elon (high ankle sprain). After the bye tried to play versus UNH & couldn't. Sat out SHSU. According to someone on the JMU board who spoke with the kids father he is going to play. This kid (6'6"/300) has a shot at playing on Sundays. The backup is an rFr who has played well in relief, but there is a bit of a drop off. I'd rather have Kirsch out there to deal with the noise and pressure than this still relatively inexperienced kid.

The only other injury for JMU is their 2nd leading rusher went out for the season about a month ago, and one of their starting corners hasn't played the last 2 games, not sure what his deal is. JMU has 5 corners that would be starting for most teams, so missing 1 isn't an issue, as obviously was the case against Soft Houston State

44 2 deep players, and as far as I know, JMU will only be missing between 1 and 3. Overall, JMU is about as healthy as one could expect a team to be at this point in the season.

And the backup RT #68 has 3 false starts in the 1st 2 drives. Could have called him for the illegal man downfield too.

[BDKJMU]

KLOOOOOOOS......TD JMU!

[Vidav]

JMU up 10-0 12 minutes left in the half.

[BDKJMU]

10-0 JMU. Damn it should be 17-0. Now down 2 starting OL..

[93henfan]

10-0 JMU. Damn it should be 17-0. Now down 2 starting OL..

You're also playing against the refs too. Blown call on the NDSU fumble. Any points on this drive were scored by the zebras.

JMU came to play.

[93henfan]

Missed FG was justice there. Run it up Dukes.

[93henfan]

Yep!

Do you guys really see JMU scoring more than 14 points in this game? Seriously

[Vidav]

17-7 Dukes at half. JMU has already put up over 300 yards of offense.

[93henfan]

17-7 Dukes at half. JMU has already put up over 300 yards of offense.

That last TD was big to stop the bleeding for the byzon. They were getting ass raped.

[BDKJMU]

JMU doing pretty well considering their leading tackler #49 Brandon Hereford and 2nd leading WR #7 Terrance Alls mysteriously not playing....

[93henfan]

JMU doing pretty well considering their leading tackler #49 Brandon Hereford and 2nd leading WR #7 Terrance Alls mysteriously not playing....

Did they do any partying at Youngstown State recently?

[93henfan]

How many times has #68 JMU jumped tonight? 3, 4? More? He's killing them.

[CAA Flagship]

Tyed at 17