James Madison Football: Sun Belt Champions Eye CFP Berth
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – James Madison University football has clinched its first-ever Sun Belt Conference Championship with a 31-14 victory over Troy on Friday, Dec. 5, but the Dukes’ postseason fate remains uncertain as they await a final decision on potential inclusion in the College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket. JMU entered the CFP rankings at No. 25 in the penultimate release on Tuesday, Dec. 2 – the first time this season the committee has recognized the Dukes.
The question now is whether a one-loss record and a conference championship will be enough for a team transitioning to FBS status to earn a coveted spot among the nation’s elite. JMU’s only loss came against Louisville (28-14) on Sept. 5. The Dukes finished the regular season with an impressive 11-1 record, including a perfect 8-0 mark in Sun Belt play. Their dominant run through the conference culminated in the championship win, raising the stakes for the selection committee’s final decision.
2025 James Madison Football Schedule
Here’s a look at James Madison’s complete schedule:
* Saturday, Aug. 30: James Madison 45, Weber State 10
* Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
* Friday, Sept. 13: BYE
* Saturday, Sept. 20: James Madison 31,Liberty 13
* Saturday,Sept. 27: James Madison 35, Georgia Southern 10*
* Saturday, Oct. 4: James Madison 14, Georgia State 7*
* Saturday, Oct. 11: James Madison 24, Louisiana 14*
* Saturday, oct. 18: James madison 63, Old Dominion 27*
* Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
* Tuesday, Oct. 28: James Madison 52,Texas State 20*
* Saturday,Nov. 8: James Madison 35, Marshall 23*
* Saturday, Nov. 15: James Madison 58, Appalachian State 10*
* Saturday, Nov. 22: James Madison 24, Washington State 20
* Saturday, Nov. 29: James Madison 59, Coastal Carolina 10*
* Friday, Dec. 5: James Madison 31, Troy 14
Denotes Sun Belt game
Denotes Sun Belt championship game**
