Overview
- Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Showker Field in Harrisonburg, with ESPN carrying the broadcast.
- James Madison enters 11-1 with top-10 national ranks in scoring offense and defense, and CBS projects a sizable margin with the Dukes -23.5.
- A victory could keep JMU in the mix for the final automatic College Football Playoff spot, contingent on the ACC title result and committee views of its weak strength of schedule.
- Coach Bob Chesney is expected to be on the Dukes’ sideline despite reports he is set to become UCLA’s next head coach.
- Troy is 8-4 after winning the Sun Belt West and owning league crowns in 2022 and 2023, with linebacker Donnie Smith leading a disruptive pass rush.