Last week’s Sun Belt Game of the Week also featured James Madison. The Dukes played host to Coastal Carolina in a primetime Thursday night matchup and showcased that they’re still one of the top Group of Five teams.
Now, JMU will enter another critical Sun Belt East matchup when it visits Georgia Southern. The Eagles are 4-2 and 2-0 in league play while the Dukes are 5-1 and 1-1. Whoever wins this contest will sit atop the division.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
How To Watch JMU-Georgia Southern
The game kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday and will air on ESPN+.
JMU-Georgia Southern Betting Odds
JMU is a 10-point college football betting odds favorite.
JMU-Georgia Southern Coaches & Overall Records
JMU: Bob Chesney (5-1)
GSU: Clay Helton (62-40 overall, 16-16 at GSU)
Last meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; JMU won 41-13.
This is only the third meeting between these programs this century. Before winning last year’s matchup, JMU had lost eight straight to the Eagles.
JMU Preview
It’s surprising JMU isn’t 6-0 heading into this game.
Following the Dukes’ upset defeat to ULM two weeks ago, they bounced back with a dominant win over Coastal Carolina. They controlled the contest from start to finish and led 29-7 at the half. The 39-7 final score could have been a much wider margin.
While we’ve seen plenty from JMU’s offense this season, its defense made a statement against Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers entered the game averaging 38.4 points per game but found no offensive traction last week. There was only one possession where CCU ran a play on JMU’s side of the field.
Following that performance, JMU allows just 16.3 points per game, which ranks first in the Sun Belt and is tied for the 15th best mark in the FBS. The Dukes allow 316.2 total yards per game and have surrendered just 11 touchdowns on the season.
JMU’s defense has been much more physical than opposing offenses for most of the year. The Dukes have disrupted their opponents’ rushing attack — allowing just 107 YPG and four TDs on the ground — and have made opposing QBs beat them through the air. Last week, CCU starting quarterback Ethan Vasko was 5 for 18 with two interceptions, including a pick-six from Lloyd Summerall III. JMU’s defense is firing on all cylinders.
The offense is just as dangerous with QB Alonza Barrett III leading the way. Barrett has 1,781 total yards, 20 total touchdowns, and just one interception this season. Five different pass catchers have double-digit receptions for the Dukes. JMU is averaging 39 points per game.
Georgia Southern Preview
Things looked bleak for Georgia Southern last week as it entered the fourth quarter trailing Marshall 23-3.
The tide quickly changed, though, when GSU forced a safety early in the fourth quarter and then went on to force three turnovers and score three TDs in the final seven minutes of the game. It will likely be one of the more improbable comebacks we’ll see this season.
GSU’s defense made big plays down the stretch last week, but overall it has struggled this season. The Eagles’ 474 yards allowed per game ranks last in the Sun Belt, and they’re also allowing 30.5 points per contest. A bright spot on this side of the ball has been linebacker Marques Watson-Trent, who leads the league with 55 total tackles. He also has 4.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
Following a Week 1 outburst where the Eagles scored 45 points against Boise State, I expected their offense to be potent like it was last season. That hasn’t entirely been the case, but it hasn’t struggled by any means. GSU is averaging 30 points and 368.7 yards per game.
The ground game has been a weak spot for this offense, and if the Eagles want to pick up an upset win over JMU, they’ll need to find some success on the ground and avoid being one dimensional. Quarterback JC French is averaging 219 passing YPG and has seven TD passes to two interceptions.
Outside of a 39-point loss to Ole Miss, the Eagles have played well this season and have a pair of quality wins over Nevada and Marshall.
JMU-Georgia Southern Prediction
I predict JMU will win and cover the 10-point spread.
The comeback from the Eagles last week was great, and I’m sure it’ll give them a ton of momentum going into this week. However, with the way JMU played last week, I can’t picture the Dukes taking their foot off the pedal.
I think Barnett will be successful against GSU’s defense and the Dukes’ defense will continue to be disruptive.
