JMU football dubbed itself the “Kings of the East” last season, but NCAA transition rules kept the Dukes out of the Sun Belt title game. The Dukes missed out on a meeting with Troy, which walloped Coastal Carolina in the league championship.
JMU faces Troy at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, as the Dukes work through a brutal three-game road trip. JMU survived UVA last weekend, and the Dukes will need strong play to go 1-1 or 2-0 against Troy and Utah State in the coming weeks.
How to watch JMU football today
- Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
- Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, Alabama
- TV Channel: NFL Network
- Live Stream: Watch Online here
Saturday’s game will be a massive challenge, but it should be entertaining for fans to see how the Dukes stack up against a top-tier team from the SBC West.
Troy vs. James Madison Preview
Troy Trojans
Offensively, the Trojans total 413 yards per game (60th in the FBS) and surrender 318.5 yards per game (53rd) on the other side of the ball. This year, they rank 91st in the FBS in pass offense (207 passing yards per game) and 50th in pass defense (193 passing yards allowed per game).
Despite having a bottom-25 scoring defense that ranks 19th-worst in the FBS (36 points allowed per game), Trojans have put up better results offensively, ranking 66th in the FBS by totaling 30.5 points per game.
In the same way, with the 19th worst defense in the FBS (50% third-down conversion rate), the Trojans have better stats on the other side of the ball as they have put 44.8% third-down percentage (ranking 54th in the FBS).
Troy is totaling 206 rushing yards per game on offense (31st in the FBS) and, on the other side of the ball, ranks 71st on defense with 125.5 rushing yards allowed per game.
Also, with -4, they have the 11th-worst turnover margin in college football. They rank 71st in the FBS with two forced turnovers while turning it over six times (121st in the FBS).
James Madison Dukes
Offensively, the Dukes are posting 415.5 total yards per game (58th ranked). On the other side of the ball, they rank 40th in the FBS (301.5 total yards per game).
JMD ranks 95th in the FBS in passing, compiling 201.5 yards per game this season. Defensively, they rank 102 (giving up 261.5 passing yards per game.
The Dukes currently rank 36th in the FBS with 37 points per game on offense and 53rd with allowing 19 points per game on the other side of the ball.
The Dukes’ dominant run defense has been paving the way for the team, ranking second-best in the FBS with surrendering 40 yards per contest. Offensively, they rank 26th, accumulating 24 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, Dukes have been dominant on third down, giving up a 25% third-down conversion percentage (11th-best in the FBS). On the other side of the ball, it generates a 42.3% third-down rate (68th in the FBS).
Moreover, the Dukes rank 74th in the FBS, registering two forced turnovers. They have committed one turnover (ninth in the FBS) this season, owning a +1 turnover margin (43rd ranked in the FBS).