Yeah, all this JMU game disappointment should settle down. They were the 3rd best team at the FCS level last year. Just for argument sake, do any of us think that we would've won a game against North Dakota State anytime in the last 12 years? That's a big HELL NO from me. Now...should we have scored a couple more times, absolutely. And if that game was played again today, I think it would be a little closer, but the outcome is probably the same. They are a damn good team, and it's still showing.
Now, onto the bigger picture. I'm in the same position as a lot of you are. This is year #17 under this coach, so quite the sample size. Saturday was a huge win for this program, arguably the biggest and most impressive win ever. BUT, that win will mean absolutely nothing if we don't go at least 2-1 in the next three games, and being fully competitive in that loss if we do lose. And honestly....the 1 loss cannot be to WKU. It just can't, period. Lose close to UTSA at home, or on the road at UAB, ok fine. Those two teams are gone next year, it is what it is. But WKU is our biggest rival, whether anyone (including Stock) wants to admit it or not, and they have had our number in recent years (3 straight and 6 of the last 7).
THE only goal at this point is the one I've never seen with this program in the now 25 years I've been a student/alum/fan, and one that hasn't been achieved in the D1A/FBS era. An outright conference championship. Anything less than that, until it happens, is a failure in my eyes. I admittedly am not as big of an MBB fan/follower as I am for FB, but I gave Kermit Davis as much of a hard time as I felt he deserved as I have for Stock these last several years. Kermit finally made it happen and notched some huge wins along the way, too, and I was happy and gave him his props and due credit.
I am very happy for this group of players, big accomplishment that they should absolutely be proud of. But the moment they woke up the next day, all focus should be on UTSA and the goal of a championship, and doing whatever it takes to make that happen.
After the WKU game, if we're 6-2, 2-1 or better, we should no doubt run the table from there, and be in the championship game on 12/2.
