There’s plenty at stake for James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference championship game.
The No. 25 Dukes are in the College Football Playoff rankings with an outside shot at reaching the final bracket.
But that will require defeating visiting Troy on Friday night at Harrisonburg, Va., and a little more help.
“It’s pretty neat to be able to do that on a Friday night,” James Madison coach Bob Chesney said. “I’m sure it’s going to be pretty cold.”
The Dukes (11-1) are trying to increase their winning streak to 11 games by defeating Troy (8-4).
James Madison also is dealing with a reported loss. Chesney is on his way out to become the next coach at UCLA but expected to be on the Dukes’ sideline for the conference championship game.
“Those opportunities are afforded to you because of the success you have, because of the players who have been here, because of the school,” Chesney said. “… What matters the most is that we’re focused on this game, this championship game right now.”
The Trojans and Dukes will meet for the first time this season, and it will be the first visit to Harrisonburg for Troy coach Gerad Parker.
“Cold weather, a short week along with us traveling up there,” Parker said of the challenges. “Exciting times – good problems to have. … We don’t have cold weather gear.”
The forecast at midweek called for a high near 30 with accumulating snow on Friday. Weather might not be enough to stall these high-powered offenses.
James Madison has scored more than 50 points against four of its Sun Belt opponents this year on the way to capturing its first East Division title.
The Dukes have no shortage of offensive contributors.
Quarterback Alonza Barrett III has thrown for more than 5,000 career yards. He has 20 touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season.
“His mobility, of course, brings a whole other set of problems,” Parker said.
Running back Wayne Knight is James Madison’s first single-season 1,000-yard rushing since 2020. He’s at 1,051 yards.
Cornerback Justin Eaglin has made four of the defense’s 12 interceptions in his first season as a regular starter.
Troy won the West Division for the third time in four years, so the Trojans are no strangers to playing in early December.
While James Madison was assured of a spot in the title game and a home assignment prior to last week’s games, Troy had to defeat host Southern Mississippi on Saturday to grab its spot. Troy, which won the Sun Belt’s 2022 and 2023 championship games, will be on the road for the title game for the first time this week.
The Trojans have won two straight since a two-game skid. They’ve won nine of their last 12 games against Sun Belt opposition.
Troy linebacker Donnie Smith has made a Sun Belt-leading nine sacks this year.
“They’re hunting quarterbacks at points and time,” Chesney said.
The Trojans have had quarterback Goose Crowder back as their starter for the past two games, going 51 of 77 for 646 yards with seven touchdowns in the air in those outings.
Receiver RaRa Thomas, a past starter at Mississippi State and Georgia, is coming off a two-touchdown performance.
