Game Preview: James Madison
We are less than three months away from Blue Raiders football.
Starting this week, GoMiddle will be providing game-by-game previews and analysis of all twelve matchups.
Today, we start with the road test against James Madison. The 10-time Colonial Athletic Association Conference Champions will be playing their first full season in the Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.
Overall Glance
James Madison's out of conference slate consists of: MTSU, Norfolk, at ODU, Marshall, and at Louisville.
The Dukes are a seven-point-favorite right out of the gate for this game, which will be played at JMU under the lights. Expect a sizable crowd for this contest. JMU's stadium capacity hovers around 25,000. Last season they eclipsed 20,000 fans for five of their eight home ballgames.
MTSU Key Contributors
The Blue Raiders return an experienced defensive line led by Redshirt Senior Defensive End Jordan Ferguson, redshirt senior quarterback Chase Cunningham will be looking to have a comeback year in 2022 after being sidelined for the rest of the 2021 season with a knee injury.
Jordan Ferguson was a terror in the backfield last season, accumulating nine overall sacks, 30 solo tackles and three forced fumbles.
When it comes to sacks, Ferguson was 26th nationally. As for forced fumbles, Ferguson was tied for 19th nationally.
Ferguson has been tabbed by Athlon Sports as a first team defensive end.
During his limited time on the field for MT as quarterback, Cunningham tossed 16 touchdowns against three picks. Cunningham threw for 1,318 total yards.
Look for Jaylin Lane to make his mark in this game. Athlon Sports has him pegged as a first team punt returner, second team kick returner and third team wideout.
In 2021 Lane had 19 punt returns for 295 yards. He took one to the house for 70 yards.
When it came to kick returns, he had 15 returns for 285 yards and a long return of 43 yards.
In 2021 he snared 42 balls for 466 yards and touchdowns. He has the ability to take the top off the defense and his longest reception was for 35 yards.
What JMU Brings to the table
Graduate transfer Todd Centeio is the favorite to land the starting quarterback job for the Dukes.
Centeio was formerly a quarterback for Colorado State, where he threw for 15 touchdowns, 10 picks and 2,958 total yards.
Centeio was top 100 nationally in QB ratings, touchdowns and total yards.
Centeio threw for over 230 yards in seven of his twelve games for the Rams of CSU.
In a game at Hawaii he threw for 527 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes.
Centeio has some help from the wide receiver spot. Kris Thornton is picked by Athlon Sports to be a first team offense guy.
In 2021 Thornton had 83 catches for 1,083 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tailback Percy Agyei-Obese is tabbed as a third team guy. Last year he had 221 yards on 65 rushing attempts.
Agyei-Obese was granted a redshirt year, as he only participated in four games in 2021. He will be called upon to be the bell cow running back this season.
The Deciding Factors
The key in this matchup will be can the Blue Raiders' defensive line live up to the hype and have a feast day in the Dukes' backfield.
James Madison is certainly not a squad to sneeze at. Last season, in the FCS ranks, they're 12-2 and 7-1 in league play.
This should be viewed somewhat as a tossup game, with the edge going to the Dukes, as they are the home team. Last season the Duke were a decisive 7-1 playing in the friendly confines.