Well, Dukes, the countdown is on! Only a few more days until we are back in THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! How exciting is that??? There are so many emotions to go through as we wait to watch our Dukes "defend the crown." Whether we have recognized it or not, we have probably gone through one of these emotions already since finding out that the Dukes were moving on to the finals.

1. Pride

Operation: Beat The Bunnies was a success, folks. We beat the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits in an astounding blowout of 51-16 (OUCH!). Our next operation is underway as the men of the JMU football team mentally and physically prepare for battle. North Dakota State University will be quite the opponent, but nothing that Houston and the guys can't handle. The Bisons won't know what hit 'em.

2. Astonishment

If you bought tickets for the game and for travel, go check your bank account... I'm sure you will be astonished then.

3. Anger

I swear to that dang bison, if I see one more tweet about Mike Houston or about JMU football coming from anyone related to or affiliated with NDSU, I am going to go C-R-A-Z-Y. And I am pretty sure lots of other Dukes are at that point too. Just do not forget, we are classier! We are classier. We are classier. We are classier. Don't stoop to their level of trash talking...unless you want to retweet my "I eat bison for lunch" tweet (oops), then by all means, go ahead...(ashduke_) :)

4. Bitterness

No, sir, I do NOT understand what you mean by "you cannot throw streamers in Toyota Stadium."

5. EXCITEMENT!!!

Are your tickets purchased??? Is your bag packed??? Are snacks bought for the watch party??? Are you wearing the jersey that you have worn (and probably have not washed) for the past 25 games??? Do you have streamers for the guests that will be over during the game??? Do you have the game set to record, so you can always come back and watch this beautiful epic that is about to unfold???

You might be feeling one of these emotions; you might be feeling all of them; you may even be experiencing a totally different emotion. Personally, I am really honing in on ~excitement~. I mean, truly, I think I am about as excited about this showdown as Ratke was when he watched that 46-yard field goal fly right between those two posts. Wherever you are on the emotional scale, one thing remains true, and that is... the Dukes are like no other.

GO DUKES!!!

With blessing,

Ash