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If you look at the sports betting odds, James Madison Dukes only has the fourth-best chances to win the Sun Belt Conference, but a lot of college football prognosticators believe that the Dukes are still the best team in the conference.
After all, they went 11-2 last year and have posted a 52-9 record over the last five campaigns. However, coach Curt Cignetti was hired to bring the same sort of transformation to the Indiana Hoosiers.
His replacement, Bob Chesney, has had great success at the FCS level, making Holy Cross a perennial playoff team.
He brought in tailback Ayo Adeyi through the transfer portal after he ran for over 1,000 yards on just 143 carries for North Texas last year.
Jacob Dobbs followed him from Holy Cross after posting 123 tackles, including a dozen for loss, last year. Eric O’Neill comes from Long Island University, where the defensive end notched 23.5 tackles for loss last year.
Chesney has four Patriot League titles, from 2019-2022, and he led the Cross to their first win over an FBS school (UConn) in almost two decades back in 2021.
How bullish should we be about the Dukes? Read on to get our thoughts on the team’s chances.
College Football Betting Odds: James Madison Dukes Season Odds, Preview & 2024 Season Schedule
Odds to Win the Sun Belt Conference: +750
Season Win Total Over/Under: 8.5
- Saturday, Aug. 31 at Charlotte 49ers
- Saturday, Sept. 7 vs Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
- Saturday, Sept. 14 IDLE
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at North Carolina Tar Heels
- Saturday, Sept. 28 vs Ball State Cardinals
- Saturday, Oct. 5 at ULM Warhawks
- Thursday, Oct. 12 vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- Saturday, Oct. 19 at Georgia Southern Eagles
- Saturday, Oct. 26 vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- Saturday, Nov. 2 IDLE
- Saturday, Nov. 9 vs Georgia State Panthers
- Saturday, Nov. 16 at Old Dominion Monarchs
- Saturday, Nov. 23 at Appalachian State Mountaineers
- Saturday, Nov. 30 vs Marshall Thundering Herd
- Saturday, Dec. 7 Sun Belt Championship
Offensive Preview
According to Coach Chesney, about 96 percent of the offensive production from James Madison’s Sun Belt championship team last year is gone, either via the transfer portal or graduation.
The quarterback is now Dylan Morris, who was at one point the starter for the University of Washington.
He should thrive in Chesney’s scheme, which led Holy Cross to an average of 37 points per game in 2023.
Two tailbacks have also transferred in to help. In addition to Adeyi, George Pettaway has come to JMU from North Carolina.
Last year, Holy Cross averaged 6.3 yards per rush, one of the best running offenses in the FCS, so expect the establishment of the run to be a priority here as well.
Defensive Preview
The Dukes only permitted 2.6 yards per rushing attempt last year, a number that will be hard to replicate.
Transfers and new recruits will play a key role in this side of the ball as well. Edge rusher Lloyd Summer all (USF) posted 21 tackles for the Bulls in 2023 after playing his first four seasons for the Florida Gators.
Inside linebacker Raymond Scott (Fresno State) is entering his seventh and final year of eligibility.
He played at USC for four seasons and then spent the last two with the Bulldogs; in 2023, he notched 22 tackles in eight games.
Special Teams Preview
Ryan Hanson returns as a redshirt senior at punter. He averaged 40.6 yards per punt last year and was second-team All-Sun Belt.
D.J. Barksdale is back returning kicks after averaging 21.3 yards per return in 2023.
The place-kickiing could be an adventure, as the Dukes have two kickers on the team – but neither has any college experience.
Practice 1️⃣1️⃣ … back on the grass. @JMUFootball | #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/Bhh5qxwv28
— Dave Riggert (@DaveRiggert) August 13, 2024
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College Football Betting Odds: James Madison Dukes
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