James Madison Dukes vs Old Dominion Monarchs: College Football Week 12 Preview and Predictions

The James Madison Dukes (7-2, 3-2 Sun Belt) are set to face off against the Old Dominion Monarchs (4-5, 3-2 Sun Belt) in a crucial Sun Belt Conference matchup on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The game will be hosted at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia, and will be broadcast on ESPNU at 4 p.m. ET.

James Madison enters the game on a two-game winning streak, having recently dominated Georgia State with a 38-7 victory. This performance was part of a strong situational spot for the Dukes, who have been consistent this season. Alonza Barnett III led the team with 20 completions out of 30 passes for 241 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in their last game. George Pettaway also contributed significantly with 13 rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Old Dominion, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after a 28-20 loss to Appalachian State in Week 10. The Monarchs had a bye week to regroup and are now focused on winning two of their final three games to become bowl-eligible. In their last game, Colton Joseph completed 27 of his 38 passes for 332 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Aaron Young rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries.

The odds favor James Madison by 3 points, with an over/under set at 51.5 points. Despite the Dukes’ favorable record, Old Dominion has a history of playing close games, with 17 of their last 22 contests decided by one possession. Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne has a strong record as an underdog, going 22-12 ATS and covering by an average of 5.5 points per game.

From a statistical standpoint, James Madison boasts a top-25 defense, allowing just 320.1 yards per game, and an offense that averages 413.1 yards per game. Old Dominion’s offense ranks 82nd in total yards per game, while their defense ranks 101st, allowing 402.3 yards per game.

Predictions suggest that this game will be closely contested, with some analysts favoring Old Dominion to cover the spread due to their historical performance as underdogs and the motivation to secure a bowl spot.