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Louisville (5-3) hosts James Madison (5-2) on Saturday at 7:30pm. The Cardinals, a 7.5-point canine, are in search of to win a fourth straight sport, whereas the Dukes look to snap a two-game skid.
To get extra perception on what Louisville ought to count on in opposition to James Madison, Cardinal Authority turned to Daily News Record author Noah Fleischman. Take a look at extra on the upcoming sport from Fleischman on Twitter @fleischman_noah.
1. What is the standing of quarterback Todd Centeio? What makes him such a profitable QB for James Madison?
Centeio pulled his indirect within the Thursday observe earlier than JMU’s sport in opposition to Marshall on Oct. 22 and was a gametime determination for that contest. Head coach Curt Cignetti has saved the harm below wraps since and I might count on him to be one other gametime determination this weekend at Louisville.
The factor that makes Centeio profitable is his capacity to run and throw the ball at a excessive stage. He is not a run first quarterback, however has the flexibility to increase performs together with his legs and choose up a primary down on the run if wanted. However on the similar time, Centeio could be very correct by the air and took care of the soccer by the primary 5 video games, throwing 15 touchdowns and only one interception.
JMU has taken his sport to a different stage in his lone season with the Dukes. Final season at Colorado State, Centeio threw 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 video games. In six video games with JMU, he is thrown for 17 touchdowns and 4 interceptions with one other 5 speeding touchdowns.
When Centeio is in at quarterback, the JMU offense seems to be a complete lot completely different than it did in its final sport in opposition to Marshall with backup Billy Atkins, who made his first-career begin in opposition to the Thundering Herd in reduction of Centeio.
2. The JMU protection ranks among the many nation’s finest in a number of statistical classes. What makes the Dukes so formidable defensively?
JMU’s protection has been stout yr in and yr out, however this season its power is stopping the run. JMU did not enable 100 whole speeding yards this season till its fourth sport because it held Center Tennessee to 12 yards, Norfolk State to 9 yards and Appalachian State to 63 yards.
It begins on the defensive position, anchored by defensive finish Isaac Ukwu on the sting with Jamare Edwards and James Carpenter on the inside. Edwards has seven TFLs this season, whereas Uwku has 6.5 and Carpenter has 5.5.
But when groups are capable of get previous JMU’s defensive position, its linebackers have performed extraordinarily properly. Taurus Jones and Jailin Walker are each sophomores of their first seasons beginning and are the highest two main tacklers with 59 whole tackles and 42 whole tackles, respectively.
3. The Louisville protection likes to deliver loads of strain. How has the JMU offensive line fared in opposition to a robust rush?
Earlier than the sport in opposition to Marshall, JMU’s offensive line has been fairly strong this season. However it misplaced proper deal with Nick Kidwell to an harm within the Georgia Southern loss after which left deal with Tyshawn Wyatt within the loss to Marshall. It is unclear whether or not or not both of them can be again this weekend, but when they don’t seem to be, the Louisville cross rush may discover success.
With out these two on the road for a lot of the sport in opposition to the Thundering Herd, JMU’s offensive line struggled and allowed a season-high seven sacks.
4. James Madison was a extremely profitable program on the FCS stage and yr one within the FBS goes properly. What are the hopes for this system on the FBS stage?
JMU head coach Curt Cignetti hasn’t been afraid to say his purpose is to place the Dukes within the expanded Faculty Soccer Playoff and believes it is potential. JMU gained two nationwide championships on the FCS stage and was a perennial contender to be within the title sport every year. That sustained success is one thing that Cignetti thinks they will deliver to the FBS stage and be competing for a nationwide championship.
5. Ideas on what’s going to occur? Prediction?
If Centeio performs, JMU has a shot to drag off the upset. He is confirmed that he can lead the group in hostile environments, together with a 25-point comeback at Appalachian State earlier this season. However both approach, I feel it’s going to be a detailed sport.
I will say 28-21, Louisville.
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