James Madison Dukes Face Appalachian State Mountaineers in Crucial Sun Belt Clash

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are scheduled to face the James Madison Dukes in an important Sun Belt conference matchup on Saturday, November 23, 2024. The game will take place at Kidd Brewer Stadium, with kickoff set for later in the day. The Dukes, boasting an impressive 8-2 record this season, are the favored team to win, standing as 7.5-point favorites according to the latest odds.

James Madison is coming off a narrow victory against the Old Dominion Monarchs, where they secured a 35-32 win. Meanwhile, the Appalachian State Mountaineers, having a record of 4-5, suffered a defeat in their latest outing against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, losing 38-24.

In terms of statistics, James Madison has had a strong season with an offense averaging 35.3 points per game, placing them 24th nationally. Their defense has also stood out, allowing just 18 points per game, ranking 12th in the nation. The Dukes’ ability to force turnovers has been noteworthy, forcing 25 turnovers, which ranks first nationally.

In comparison, Appalachian State’s offense is averaging 26.6 points per game, but their defense has struggled, allowing 34.8 points per game, which ranks 104th nationally. The Mountaineers have had difficulties protecting the ball, allowing 20 turnovers this season.

The Dukes will rely heavily on their quarterback, who has amassed 2,226 passing yards with a 59.2% completion rate, alongside 22 passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Their running game is equally formidable, featuring a standout running back with 741 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season. Defensively, Eric O'Neill on the defensive line has been exceptional, contributing 8.5 sacks.

For Appalachian State, their quarterback has thrown for 2,496 yards with 19 touchdowns but has also been intercepted 12 times. Their offense will look to leverage their leading wide receiver, who has recorded 840 yards on 53 receptions this year.

The game promises to be an intriguing contest as James Madison seeks to continue their winning streak against a struggling Mountaineers team. The stakes are high as the Dukes look to solidify their position within the Sun Belt conference standings.