Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications

By Bennett Conlin and Jack Fitzpatrick

This week’s roundtable discussion delves into Thanksgiving food and reflects on JMU’s loss to App State. Let’s dig in!

JMU’s First Loss of the Year

Bennett: Going undefeated in the Sun Belt is no easy task. JMU had some close calls earlier in the season, and the loss to App State was a testament to the competitiveness of the conference. While it’s disappointing, it’s not the end of the world. The atmosphere at Bridgeforth Stadium was electric, and I’m already looking forward to the next matchup between JMU and App State. Losing to a strong rival isn’t the worst thing that could happen.

Jack: JMU couldn’t have picked a worse time to have their worst performance of the season. It stung. The team lacked offensive rhythm and struggled to find consistency. Despite this, the Dukes almost pulled off a win. Hats off to App State for deserving the victory.

Is App State JMU’s Biggest Rival in the Sun Belt?

Bennett: Old Dominion may be the biggest conference rival across non-football sports, although the JMU-ODU rivalry feels more relevant to older alumni. App State, on the other hand, carries great significance on the football field. The two teams have a history of competitive and meaningful games. The recent matchups have been intense, with close margins of victory. I hope this rivalry can extend to other sports in the future.

Jack: As of now, App State is JMU’s biggest rival in the Sun Belt. They have a similar past success and have played thrilling games in the conference. However, I would love to see an in-state rivalry game between JMU and ODU every college football rivalry weekend.

Keys to Defeat Coastal Carolina

Bennett: JMU needs to improve their offensive efficiency, starting with Jordan McCloud. The team’s running game hasn’t been up to par, and they rely on McCloud to excel. He struggled in the last game, but I believe he will bounce back. He needs to perform well for JMU to win against Coastal Carolina.

Jack: The Dukes need to regain their rhythm and recreate the success they had against Georgia State and UConn. They must improve their rushing performance, as it hurt them against App State. JMU also needs to generate more explosive plays, which have been a strength throughout the season. Overall, they need a strong performance from McCloud and effective play calling.

Predictions for JMU vs. Coastal Carolina

Bennett: I predict a JMU victory, but it will be a closer game compared to last year. I’m going with a score of 28-20 in favor of JMU.

Jack: I believe the Dukes will prevail with a strong performance from McCloud. My prediction is JMU 38, Coastal Carolina 24.

Best Thanksgiving Side Dish

Bennett: I’m team stuffing all the way. It’s a Thanksgiving staple that hits the spot. I also think green bean casserole deserves an honorable mention.

Jack: Green bean casserole, no doubt. It’s the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish.