Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Blake Pace
What a Saturday.
James Madison football continued its great season, pulling away from the UConn Huskies in the second half en route to a 44-6 run to go 10-0 on the year. A few hours later JMU Nation was sent into a frenzy when it was announced that ESPN’s College GameDay was heading to the Quad for this weekend’s battle with the App State Mountaineers.
I would give up anything to be a JMU game time student, but my old ass will enjoy this from the comfort of my bed as this one-of-a-kind university gets the recognition it deserves.
Now let’s talk about our betting.
Week 6 Recap: JMU 1H -13.5 (L), JMU -24.5 (W), o48.5 & JMU TTo37.5 
(Total Score: 10-10)
This week was a big one: our three wins and one loss brought us to .500 for the season. We just need to hit 55 percent so I’m really happy with our results this year and I have two weeks to do that.
The quiet first quarter of the Dukes encouraged me in many games, from 0-1 when they stumbled to 13-3 in the first quarter, but the miraculous “Paco” pick six to close the game helped to strengthen the 24.5 points. covering and hitting every game with the JMU team is over.
Fortunately? Sure, but that’s gambling.
Editor’s note: Thank you to Christopher William Jewelers for sponsoring this season’s promotions.
Lines: App State at JMU (-11.5), o/u 55.5
James Madison found itself a 12.5 favorite when the line first dropped on Sunday, but the strong action has weighed heavily on the Mountaineers to the point where you can find JMU -10 at some books. You always have to worry about the sharpness of these early moves: The Dukes receive 71% of the bets and 79% of the money, but the streak is shrinking regardless? Experts think that the line is too big. Totals, meanwhile, have only danced between 55.5 and 56.5 over the past few days.
A few nuggets: App State hasn’t failed to cover the spread as a tight end this season, going 2-0-1 in such contests, and the Mountaineers are outscoring 31 points on the road this season. Both teams have combined for a 10-5 record this year against teams ranked 55.5 points or less, and the Dukes have now won three straight.
Options: 1H o28.5, App State +11.5, App State TTo21.5
There’s a reason I listed the spread at JMU at -11.5 (still available on FanDuel) instead of the -10 posted on other books; I think the Mountaineers will keep this up this weekend.
I want to think about the nature of College GameDay and the narrowest road between James Madison and good weather will not interfere, but it is human nature to get caught up in the form of not looking at what the teachers can preach to the students. team this week. It’s not just that, as the Mountaineers bring a talent challenge to Harrisonburg and hope to avenge their late fall from a year ago.
The Mountaineers have a great rushing/passing record that includes four 250-plus yards on the season, and their quarterback Joey Aguilar (one of the four people mentioned) has had a great season with 2,657 passing yards and a 4:1 average. touchdown to interception ratio. They aren’t terribly dangerous on the defensive end of the ball, but they sound pretty good at any other level offensively. The story of this game will be how a formidable, but injury-plagued, JMU defense stacks up against App State’s offense.
Seeing JMU’s offense continue to grow this late in the season has been a big factor in its continued success, but the Dukes would be wise to lean on the running game Saturday against a team that brings a bottom-10 defense to town. . I’m not saying the Dukes should completely abandon the pass, especially given Jordan McCloud’s recent appearance, but keeping the Mountaineer’s road offense on the sidelines and controlling possession time would be the best way to ensure their 11th win of the year.
It’s hard to say how last year’s results will affect the team again, but after App State watched an 18-point lead over the Dukes disappear, I have a hard time feeling like the Mountaineers will get their footing. off the gas early – hence the first half of the game by over 28.5 total points. James Madison’s offense shouldn’t have many ups and downs under this defense, but App State’s offense will keep them within 10 points and cover when they lose.
The Sparks fly in the first half and App State covers (and hits their entire team) in a surprise victory for the Dukes.
James Madison 31, App State 24