Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at James Madison Dukes Betting Preview/Prop Pick

Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 76.999; James Madison 89.531
Dunkel Line & Total: James Madison by 12 ½; 48
Vegas Line & Total: James Madison by 6; 56 ½
Dunkel Pick: James Madison (-6); Under

After making the FCS playoffs for eight straight seasons, the James Madison Dukes jump up to the FBS division starting with today’s game versus Middle Tennessee State. Kick off is 6:00 pm ET at Birdgeforth Stadium.

Vegas has the Dukes listed as 6-point favorites at home against the Blue Raiders. 

Dukes Deep At QB

The Dukes went 12-2 last year and made it all the way to the semifinals in their last season as an FCS program. They’ll begin their FBS status as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

Head coach Curt Cignetti enters his fourth year as the JMU head coach and will have QB Cole Johnson returning on offense. However, Johnson has been pushed for the starting job by Colorado State transfer Todd Centeio.

Blue Raiders Looking For Receiving Options

Middle Tennessee State is coming off a 7-6 season that included a win over Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. Head coach Rick Stockstill also has a returning QB in Chase Cunningham.

But Cunningham has lost a lot on the receiving end with the top two pass catchers having departed. Between Jarrin Pierce and Jimmy Marshall, the Blue Raiders will need to replace close to 90 catches and over 1,000 yards through the air.

JMU Wins FBS Opener

While an FCS program, JMU did have FBS experience. The Dukes lost close contests to West Virginia (20-13) in 2019 and NC State (24-13) in 2018, while beating East Carolina (34-14) in 2017.

While the move up a division level is never easy, the Dukes should be able to handle it better than most following its status as an elite FCS program. JMU should win the opener and cover the 6-point Vegas line in a low-scoring affair that stays under the Vegas total of 56 ½.

Dunkel’s Pick: James Madison (-6); Under

Prop Pick

Middle Tennessee State (+100) UNDER 26.5 Points

Middle Tennessee State averaged 28.2 points per game last season, which ranked No. 58 in FBS. That average decreased to 25.3 points per game on the road.  Scores have gone UNDER in five of the Blue Raiders last seven Sun Belt contests.

With Dunkel predicting a James Madison win by the score of 30-18, take the Blue Raiders (+100) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 26.5 points against the Dukes.