James Madison (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS) has had quite the year in their first season in FBS. They'll make the (somewhat) short trip from Harrisonburg to Norfolk to take on ODU (3-6 SU, 3-6 ATS, 2-3 SBC) on Saturday at 1pmET from Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
This is ODU's first year in the Sun Belt after moving from Conference USA. This should be a natural rivalry moving on since both campuses are in Virginia (about 3 1/2 hours away).
The Dukes have lost three straight and while a win in a normal season would mean they are bowl-eligible, that's not happening to a transition team like JMU. The Monarchs have also lost three straight and they need to win three straight to become bowl-eligible.
James Madison has had quite the season as they opened up going 5-0 and entering the Top-25 for the first time ever. They were regular participants in the top-10 in FCS, but to do that in their first season in FBS is impressive. But reality has struck as they gave up 45 points as a 13-point favorite at Georgia Southern on Oct. 15 (45-38 loss) and then lost to Marshall at home 26-12 as a 10-point favorite. Last Saturday, they stepped out of the Sun Belt to face Louisville and fell 34-10 as a 6.5-point dog.
The game was closer than it looked as the score was 10-all at the half. The Cardinals scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to pull away. QB Todd Centeio, who missed the previous game against Marshall, went 4-of-15 for 52 yards and ran for just 11 yards. The Dukes have not scored a point in the second half during their last two games. They also gave up 467 yards to Louisville and totaled just nine first downs and 193 yards.
JMU head coach Curt Cignetti said to DNRoline.com that the Cardinals “played big-boy ball on us in the second half.”
“We’re not used to not being able to match up like that,” Cignetti also said to DNRonline.com. “But that’s where it’s at. That’s a part of making this move (to FBS). Takes a little time to build the quality depth. People won’t like to hear that, I don’t give a [expletive]. That’s the frickin’ truth.”
Centeio has 1,827 yards passing with 17 TDs and just four picks. He's also second on the team in rushing with 317 yards and five TDs. When he's healthy, the Dukes are tough to beat in the Sun Belt. Overall, they are allowing just 315 yards per game, but they are struggling lately against the pass (236.5 ypg). On offense, they average 445.1 yards per game (31st), 256.6 passing yards (4 7th) and 188.5 rushing yards (37th).