James Madison Dukes is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +6.7. James Madison Dukes enters the season with a power rating of +6.7, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The James Madison Dukes host Liberty next in Week 1. In 2025, James Madison Dukes went 12-1 overall, 8-5 against the spread, and 6-7 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the James Madison Dukes Power Rating of +6.7 is 6.5 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. James Madison Dukes have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 8,371 miles, ranking 50th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Liberty | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Wagner | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 3 | San Diego State | 2,172 mi | 4,345 mi |
| Week 4 | Old Dominion | 177 mi | 4,698 mi |
| Week 5 | Marshall | Home | 4,698 mi |
| Week 6 | Georgia Southern | 446 mi | 5,591 mi |
| Week 7 | Georgia State | Home | 5,591 mi |
| Week 8 | App State | 218 mi | 6,027 mi |
| Week 9 | Troy | Home | 6,027 mi |
| Week 10 | Southern Miss | 769 mi | 7,565 mi |
| Week 11 | UConn | 403 mi | 8,371 mi |
| Week 12 | — | Bye | |
| Week 13 | Coastal Carolina | Home | 8,371 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
James Madison enters the 2026 season with a new head coach in Billy Napier, who returns to the Sun Belt after a stint at Florida. The Dukes are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance but lost several key players to UCLA with former coach Bob Chesney. Napier's first recruiting class focused on lower-level standouts and transfers, aiming to maintain the championship culture that has defined JMU's rapid rise as an FBS program.
The Dukes have a four-way battle for the starting quarterback job. Transfer Arrington Maiden (Memphis) and Davi Belfort (UCF) both played sparingly as freshmen, while Camden Coleman has the most starting experience from his time at FCS Richmond. JC Evans, who has thrown only 21 career passes, was the Boca Raton Bowl MVP in 2024. The winner will have a reliable target in wide receiver Braeden Wisloski, who scored four touchdowns over the final six games last season.
The defensive line features returning starter Amar Thomas at end and WKU transfer Chukwunedu Okeke, but the unit is largely rebuilt with Division II transfers Kevin Roberts, Jakolbi Wilson, and Mason Purham. Linebacker Gannon Weathersby (57 tackles last season) and safety KJ Flowe (who had a pick-6 against Coastal Carolina) return to anchor the defense. Toledo transfer DJ Kelly could step into a starting cornerback role.
Placekicker Morgan Suarez and punter Patrick Rea return after transferring to JMU last season. Suarez finished 14-of-19 on field goals with no misses inside 40 yards, while Rea averaged 41 yards per punt and placed 16 inside the 20-yard line. Their experience provides a reliable foundation for a team undergoing significant roster turnover.
Despite losing key players and a head coach, James Madison is expected to compete for the Sun Belt title. The program's championship culture and strong recruiting from lower levels should keep the floor high. Napier's previous success at Louisiana, where he dominated the Sun Belt, gives reason for optimism. The season opener against Liberty will be an early test of how quickly the new pieces come together.
James Madison Dukes is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
James Madison Dukes holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +6.7, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
James Madison Dukes's home field advantage rating is 2.7 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
James Madison Dukes travels 8,371 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 50th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
James Madison Dukes: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +6.7.
