The reigning FCS football national champion, James Madison University Dukes, will start their 2017-18 season in just 45 days on Sept 2 at East Carolina.
Who cares about FCS football, right? Well, don't ask that question to the big FBS teams that will inevitably get beat by an FCS opponent this season (as it happens every year). This isn't Clemson or Alabama, but FCS teams can play at a high level.
The Dukes lost some key pieces from last season's championship team but also have many starters returning. I believe we have a chance at repeating. It won't be easy but with this group of players and coaches, I wouldn't count them out.
Another season in one of the toughest conferences in FCS awaits (Colonial Athletic Association). Can the Dukes repeat? What will the season hold? I'm excited to see how it plays out!
Stay tuned next week as the CAA Football Media Day gets underway. Seniors Bryan Shor (QB) and Andrew Ankrah (DL) will join head coach Mike Houston in Baltimore on July 25. I'll try to recap the press conference and preseason all-conference teams and the preseason rankings.
- Sept 2 at East Carolina
- Sept 9 vs ETSU
- Sept 16 vs Norfolk State
- Sept 23 vs Maine
- Sept 30 at Delaware
- Oct 14 vs Villanova
- Oct 21 at William & Mary
- Oct 28 vs New Hampshire
- Nov 4 at Rhode Island
- Nov 11 vs Richmond
- Nov 18 at Elon
2016 National Championship Season Recap Video: