James Madison Dukes: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
James Madison Dukes: Key To The 2022 Offense
The offensive line has to be a bit better overall.
It was good, and it’ll be more than fine with four starters back along with solid young depth. However, with the jump in leagues and levels comes the jump in talent level on the other side.
The offense was able to get away with the line allowing two sacks and five tackles for loss per game – assume that goes up this season.
With the changes at quarterback, the loss of a few key parts, and with the need to own the time of possession with the losses on defense, the running game has to be stronger.
Basically, the O line was great, and now it has to be even more dominant.
James Madison Dukes: Key To The 2022 Defense
It might seem obvious since it’s the overall goal of any defense, but … get off the field.
Time of possession wasn’t an issue last year, and few teams were better on third down stops, but how did James Madison lose to North Dakota State? The D was good on third downs, but the Bison O never seemed to leave – NDSU had the ball for close to 33 minutes.
That’s just one nitpicky case – JMU dominated the time of possession battle in the loss to Villanova – but it goes to an overall theme.
The sacks, takeaways, and big stops have to continue without all the parts who made that happen – and against a slew of stronger teams.
James Madison Dukes: Key Player To The 2022 Season
QB Todd Centeio, Sr.
Or Billy Atkins or Alonza Barnett or Chase Hart. Cole Johnson wasn’t just an all-star quarterback for the Dukes, he made everything go in dominant fashion with 41 touchdown passes, just four picks, and with 236 rushing yards and six scores.
Centeio started his career at Temple, went to Colorado State, and now he’s here with close to 3,800 career passing yards, 23 touchdown passes, and 766 rushing yards and three scores. He has to be a steadying factor in the transition.
James Madison Dukes: Key Transfer
CB Antoine Booth, RFr.
And/or Nehki Meredith from NC State, and/or John Ransom from Virginia Tech. The Dukes need cornerbacks to step up and shine right away.
The safeties will be fine, but and there are a few corners in place to work around, but Booth – a good recruit for Michigan State – and the other transfer corners have to be fantastic right away.
James Madison Key Game To The 2022 Season
Coastal Carolina, Nov. 26
How far and how fast can James Madison rise up? There’s no bowl game to go to, so the regular season finale against Coastal Carolina will be it.
The Chanticleers will be among the Sun Belt’s stars again. However the rest of the season goes, if JMU can win to close things out, it’s going to be a strong measuring stick to go into 2023. Or, everything rocks for the Dukes and this becomes a massive moment in the Sun Belt East race.
James Madison Dukes: 2021 Fun Stats
– 2nd Quarter Scoring: James Madison 178 – Opponents 36
– Fumbles: Opponents 32 (lost 13) – James Madison 14 (lost 7)
– Passing TDs: James Madison 43 – Opponents 16
O, D Breakdown | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
James Madison Top 10 Players | James Madison Schedule