Undefeated James Madison University Requests NCAA to Allow Bowl Game Participation Despite Postseason Eligibility Rules

Bucking a Postseason Ban, Undefeated JMU Pushes NCAA for Postseason Participation in Their Second Season in the Football Bowl Subdivision Amid Rising Public Pressure and Support from the Sun Belt Conference

James Madison University (JMU) requests the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to allow participation in a bowl game, despite eligibility rules that prohibit second-year transition teams from playing in the postseason.
JMU has achieved an undefeated season with a record of 9-0 in the Football Bowl Subdivision, proving their competitive credibility. The team has a combined 17-3 record for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The current NCAA rules are designed to deter teams from hastily moving up a level, but critics argue the rules don't serve a logical purpose for JMU, who has methodically planned their transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision. The NCAA denies that they need to reform these rules.
There's growing public support and pressure, including from the Virginia attorney general and the Sun Belt Conference, advocating for JMU's right to play in a bowl game. The university's eligibility request is now with the NCAA's membership committees for consideration.
The Sun Belt Conference has agreed to allow the Dukes to qualify for the conference championship if the NCAA deems JMU fully bowl-eligible. A possible reward for JMU's student-athletes could be participation in a prestigious New Year's Six bowl contest.