Mickey Matthews sounded like a man who expected to have the weekend after Thanksgiving to himself this year.

Saturday's 27-0 loss to Villanova dropped Matthews' James Madison team to 2-4 on the season.

After the game, Matthews was asked if the loss meant the end for JMU's chances at a fourth straight FCS playoff bid.

"I don't know," Matthews replied. "It probably does."

Saturday marked the first time in Matthews' 11 seasons at JMU that his team didn't score at home. It was an opponent's first shutout at Bridgeforth since a 24-0 loss to Appalachian State on November 17,1990.

"We're just trying to make a first down, to be honest with you," Matthews said. "The playoffs, we've never worried about all that. We're just worried about playing better."

Matthews' players echoed those sentiments.

"We need to focus on winning each game," said senior offensive lineman Dorian Brooks. "Playoffs aren't even in my mind right now."

"I don't concern myself with that. I'm just focused on the next game," agreed defensive end Arthur Moats. "I feel if we win, when we come to that time everything will take care of itself."

Matthews had said in the past that he believed a team needed eight wins to have a realistic chance at an FCS playoff invite. With Saturday's loss, the best the Dukes can hope for is 7-4.

But Villanova coach Andy Talley wouldn't rule out the notion that if the Dukes run the table, they would still have a chance at an at-large bid.

"I'm always going to vote for JMU. They have playoff experience. They've won a national championship," Talley said.

Talley called JMU a "sleeping giant," and pointed out that a 5-0 run to end the season would have to coincide with a maturation for redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Thorpe.

"They could be a very difficult team to play in the playoffs," Talley said. "They could be one of those teams that slips in in the end that could scare you."