Given the magnitude of JMU football’s game against North Carolina this weekend, we felt it’d be a great time for a JMU sports mailbag. Unsurprisingly, all of the questions submitted were about football. It’s that time of the year!

Let’s jump into these. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions, these were thoughtful questions.

How much better is this UNC team compared to the UVA team JMU took down in Charlottesville last year? I think it’s easy to say this UNC team is beatable and use the UVA game as evidence, but what’s the context of how different this matchup will be compared to last season? – Dom Palumbo on X

2023 UVA was better than its 3-9 record indicated – the Cavaliers beat UNC last season and lost five of its nine games by one score. But yes, the 2024 UNC team is a more capable opponent.

UVA’s 2023 team had just one NFL Draft pick – wide receiver Malik Washington, who was picked in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. Washington went off against JMU, catching five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.

UNC running back Omarion Hampton might be the best individual player JMU has faced since … I’m not sure who. Hampton is a possible first-round pick at running back, as he ran for over 1,500 yards last season and has over 400 rushing yards through three games this fall. He might be the best running back in the entire country.

UNC is also massive and capable up front. While UVA’s offensive line was a liability, UNC ranks 44th nationally in run blocking and 12th nationally in pass blocking through three games, according to Pro Football Focus grades. UVA ranked 77th in run blocking and 130th in pass blocking in 2023. That offensive line was dreadful, which allowed JMU’s defensive line to feast last season.

As far as the programs themselves, Virginia hasn’t qualified for a bowl since 2021. North Carolina has five consecutive bowl appearances. UNC is a better football program and team, and this will be a more impressive win if JMU gets it.

Should the coaching staff have done a better job of managing expectations for the year? I think most of the fan base understood there was an amazing amount of change (players, coaches, administrative staff, etc.) but all info out of camp was this was an amazing team ready to go. – Jake Nelson on X

I’d say yes, but I’m overreacting to the Gardner-Webb game when I say that. There’s a case to be made that Bob Chesney and the coaches could’ve tempered expectations before the start of the season. The coaches were overwhelmingly positive about the team’s offseason work and potential, but the Gardner-Webb performance didn’t match that hype. Neither did the first half of the Charlotte game.

In fairness to Chesney and his staff, the Dukes have only played two games. If the Dukes beat UNC, this critique goes out the window. Heck, even if JMU loses to UNC but beats Ball State and ULM, the Dukes will be 4-1 entering a national TV game against Coastal Carolina. That’s not too shabby.

It’s way too early to say that this team, which is still undefeated, can’t meet the preseason hype. There are still 10 regular season games left, and JMU is the betting favorite to win the Sun Belt East. Let’s give the Dukes time to reach those expectations.

Should JMU crowd the box to limit the run game and dare UNC’s QB to throw it or continue to play bend-but-don’t-break D? – JMU_71 on X

Great question here, as this might be the story of the JMU-UNC game. Through two weeks, the Dukes have intentionally played bend-but-don’t-break defense. It’s worked well, with JMU allowing just one touchdown all season. The Dukes’ red-zone defense has been fantastic, and they’ve largely eliminated explosive plays.

Can that work against UNC, which has one of the best running backs in the country in Omarion Hampton? If JMU doesn’t crowd the box, Hampton might drive the Tar Heels down the field. He leads the country with 310 rushing yards after contact, as it usually takes more than one body to bring him down.

I think JMU’s best chance to win Saturday will be crowding the box and forcing UNC’s Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell to beat them. Neither QB has thrown more than 35 passes in a college season, which makes me believe the Dukes would rather have relatively inexperienced (at least in terms of game reps) quarterbacks beat them compared to a future NFL running back.

How much leash does QB Alonza Barnett get if he has a fourth-straight slooow start? – Chris Liles on X

This is a fair question.

While I’m firmly in the camp that Barnett deserves a chance to work through any struggles this season, others understandably disagree. JMU scored just 13 points against Gardner-Webb, and it’s only natural to put blame on the quarterback when an offense flounders.

This answer ultimately comes down to JMU’s coaching staff and its faith in Barnett. Are there any questions internally through two games? Are any coaches questioning whether Dylan Morris deserves a chance?

My thinking is that they prefer Barnett in large part due to his mobility. He’s a much more dynamic runner than Morris, who only has 56 career rushing yards. Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy is in only his second season as an OC, and last year he ran Holy Cross’ offense with Matt Sluka, a highly mobile QB now at UNLV. Kennedy might feel more comfortable at this point in his career managing an offense with a mobile QB, rather than finding ways to use Morris as a pocket passer in an offense filled with unproven wide receivers.

I’m a Barnett believer, but make no mistake, if JMU’s offense struggles against North Carolina, calls for his benching will only intensify among fans. This is a huge weekend for the redshirt sophomore quarterback.

Mack Brown referred to Coach as “Bob Chaney” in his presser this week. Will Dukes players do a reverse bulletin board and use it to get Coach Chesney fired up? – 88 JMU 2 on X

Hahaha what a question! And yes, Brown did refer to Bob Chesney as Bob “Chaney” during his press conference. The comment reached Chesney, who made a lighthearted comment in his weekly presser that Mack Brown doesn’t know his name.

I’m not sure how much that comment will motivate the team or Chesney, but I do expect JMU to enter this game trying to prove itself. Look for JMU to play with a chip on its shoulder Saturday against an ACC program that might be looking ahead.

Brown spent most of his 53-minute weekly presser discussing the Tar Heels, with very few questions asked about the Dukes. He made one comment about how JMU would come out with energy and upset intentions similar to that of Charlotte and … NC Central. Uhhh are the Tar Heels viewing JMU like a glorified FCS team?

UNC plays undefeated Duke next week in its ACC opener, which also happens to be a rivalry game. Is UNC locked into this game or are the Tar Heels expecting to cruise to win No. 4 before opening conference play?

Overlook Bob “Chaney” at your own risk, UNC.

Last season JMU gave up an average of 40 yards rushing per game through the first 2 games. This season JMU has allowed three times that amount. What do you think has led to JMU giving up an average of 120 yards rushing per game through the first 2 games? Scheme, talent drop, missed assignments? – Joe Blo4 on X

I think it’s largely scheme-related, although losing the entire front 6/7 doesn’t help. JMU excelled at stopping the run in 2023 because 1) It valued tackles for loss, sacks, and run stopping above all else and 2) James Carpenter, Mikail Kamara, Jalen Green, Jamree Kromah, Tyrique Tucker, Jailin Walker, and Aiden Fisher are really freaking good.

Still, JMU’s defensive line and linebackers aren’t bad in 2024. JMU seems to care a little less about stopping the run at such a high level, instead wanting to limit explosive plays.

The Dukes gave up 42 passing plays of at least 20 yards in 2023, tied for 79th nationally. This year, JMU has allowed just three passing plays of 20+ yards through two games (1.5 per game).

Last year, JMU’s defense also allowed an alarming 14 passing plays of 40+ yards, which ranked 120th nationally. This season, JMU hasn’t allowed any 40-yard passing plays. The 2024 defense has been way better at limiting explosives through the air.

JMU’s 2024 team also seems better at forcing turnovers, especially in the secondary. JMU has four interceptions through two games this season, compared to last season when the Dukes had one interception through two games and finished the year with 13. The secondary looks improved through a couple games in both limiting explosive plays and forcing takeaways.

Picked off!!!

Jacob Thomas reels in his first career interception to stop the GWU drive!#GoDukes | @jacobthomassb22 pic.twitter.com/VxlsKNBWye

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) September 7, 2024

Defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill has a different philosophy than former JMU DC Bryant Haines, but it’s hard to argue with the Dukes allowing an average of 6.5 points per game through two weeks. That ranks seventh nationally, behind Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, Minnesota, and Texas. That’s elite company, even if the rushing defense isn’t as dominant and there aren’t as many sacks.

What say you about the rumors of Texas State moving conferences? If the AAC implodes I say the Sun Belt should go after Memphis and ECU. – JMU_71 on X

Memphis would be an incredible addition, but the Tigers have their eyes on a bigger prize than the Sun Belt. Their fans view themselves as a Power Conference team, and as much as we love the Sun Belt, a conference with ULM isn’t all that close to being a Power Conference.

If the Sun Belt loses a team like Texas State to the Big 12 or more realistically new-look Pac-12, it certainly creates questions about the future of the West division. I’m not so sure Texas State is as appealing to the Pac-12 as some Texas State fans think, though.

JMU’s current fit in the East division is phenomenal, and I’d like those matchups to stay in place for a long time. As for ECU, the Pirates seem like a more natural fit in the Sun Belt East than the AAC. Sign me up for ECU in the Sun Belt, if the AAC implodes.

When it comes to this next round of realignment, there are still a lot of moving parts. When it comes to JMU’s place in future moves, the Dukes should be an attractive team as long as they keep winning football and men’s and women’s basketball games. The Athletic even wrote about JMU’s long-term potential in a recent deep dive.

Who are the current G5 College Football Playoff favorites? – JMU Dukes 0608 on X

Betting odds at FanDuel say Liberty (+350) and Boise State (+350) are the favorites to make the CFP, although I have serious doubts about the Flames making the CFP with their strength of schedule. Even if the Flames go undefeated, other teams will have better wins. Memphis is close at +400, after its recent win over Florida State.

Somehow UNLV has +1400 odds despite already having two Power Conference wins. The Rebels feel undervalued at that price, although the rest of their schedule still features games with Syracuse, Fresno State, Oregon State, and Boise State. Going undefeated feels unlikely, but a one-loss UNLV should be in the playoff conversation.

Northern Illinois (Notre Dame) and Toledo (Mississippi State) also both have to be in the conversation because of their Power Conference wins. If NIU goes undefeated with wins over Notre Dame and NC State, it’s going to be hard to keep it outside the 12-team field.

ESPN’s FPI gives Boise State (24.8%) the highest chance to make the CFP. FPI gives Liberty a 3.5% chance, which feels more accurate. Memphis (22.4%) and UNLV (18%) are both firmly in the mix.

JMU has a 2.7% chance, per FPI. That would change dramatically with a win over UNC.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications