James Madison and Coastal Carolina Set for Critical Sun Belt Showdown

In a significant match-up in college football, James Madison University and Coastal Carolina University are set to clash in a primetime Sun Belt Conference game on Thursday night. Both teams, relatively new to the college football scene, are seeking victories that could enhance their standings and propel them closer to a potential Group of Five spot in the College Football Playoff.

James Madison has a historical edge against Coastal Carolina, having won their two previous encounters by a cumulative score of 82 points. However, the team is attempting to rebound from a recent defeat at the hands of Louisiana-Monroe. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina enters the game on a high note following a significant win over Old Dominion.

The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with James Madison currently positioned as 7.5-point favorites according to SportsLine consensus odds. The over/under for total points scored is set at 60.5, highlighting expectations for a potentially high-scoring affair. Additionally, James Madison is favored with a -295 money line, while Coastal Carolina stands as a +236 underdog.

Following Curt Cignetti‘s departure to Indiana, James Madison is now under the leadership of Bob Chesney, formerly the head coach at Holy Cross. Chesney has led the Dukes to a promising 4-1 start, which includes a monumental victory where they scored 70 points against the University of North Carolina.

Despite suffering their first loss to the Warhawks last week, where they still managed to outgain their opponents 399 yards to 257, the Dukes remain a formidable force. Last season, James Madison triumphed over Coastal Carolina with a decisive 56-14 win. They also enjoyed a commanding 47-7 victory in 2022 when they were 15.5-point favorites.

Key player to watch is James Madison quarterback, who has been instrumental in their success with 16 touchdowns — including 12 passing and four rushing — and only one interception this season.

On the other side, the Chanticleers, led by former Kansas quarterback Vasko, secured a 45-37 victory against Old Dominion. Vasko delivered an impressive performance with 367 passing yards and three touchdowns, connecting with ten different receivers.

The Chanticleers are averaging a robust 442.8 offensive yards per game, ranking 21st nationally in scoring with 38.4 points per game. Coastal Carolina’s offensive prowess will be pivotal in challenging James Madison’s defense.

According to SportsLine’s projections, the total score is anticipated to exceed the set over/under, with predictions of 68 combined points. Moreover, one side of the spread appears likely to be successful 70% of the time, according to modeling simulations.

College football enthusiasts eagerly await to see which team will assert dominance on Thursday, and which predictive insights will hold true in this compelling contest.