Week 5 of the 2025 college football season features a Sun Belt Conference game between the Georgia Southern Eagles and the James Madison Dukes. The game is set to take place at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field in Harrisonburg, VA, with a kickoff time of 1:30 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+.
Georgia Southern enters the game with a 2-2 record, struggling on the road with a 0-2 record away from Allen E. Paulson Stadium. However, the Eagles come off a dominant 45-17 victory against Maine in their last outing, showing strong offensive capabilities with 310 passing yards and 206 rushing yards.
James Madison has started the season with a 2-1 record, maintaining a perfect record at home. The Dukes recently secured a convincing 31-13 win over Liberty, highlighting their defensive strength by holding Liberty to only 75 passing yards. Both teams are seeking their first conference win of the season.
James Madison vs Georgia Southern At a Glance
- Game Location: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field in Harrisonburg, VA
- Game Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 1:30 PM
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Georgia Southern Record: 2-2 overall, 0-2 on the road
- James Madison Record: 2-1 overall, 1-0 at home
- Game Odds: Georgia Southern +576, James Madison -858
The James Madison Dukes: A Detailed Look at Their Upcoming Challenge
Offensive Overview
The James Madison Dukes have had a varied offensive performance this season, currently standing at 90 points, which ranks them 59th in the league. Their passing game has struggled, recording only 495 yards and placing them 128th. However, the Dukes have shown strength in their rushing attack, with 674 yards, ranking 50th.
Last season, the Dukes’ offense was more productive, scoring 433 points and ranking 26th. Their passing game was also significantly stronger, accumulating 2807 yards. The rushing attack was also a major contributor with 2556 yards, ranking 27th.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, James Madison has been robust, allowing only 51 points this season, which places them 27th in the rankings. Their ability to pressure the quarterback is evident with 6 sacks, ranking 12th. The Dukes’ secondary has been exceptional, securing 3 interceptions, which ranks them 4th.
In the previous season, the Dukes’ defense allowed 266 points, ranking 68th. They showed a strong pass rush, recording 42 sacks and placing 8th. The secondary’s performance was consistent with 17 interceptions, ranking 18th.
Recent Game Analysis
In their recent outing against the Liberty Flames, the Dukes secured a 31-13 victory. They dominated in first downs with 24 compared to Liberty’s 16. Their passing game showed improvement, recording 213 yards, while the rushing attack contributed 233 yards.
Earlier in the season, the Dukes fell to the Louisville Cardinals 28-14. Despite the loss, they managed to achieve more first downs than their opponent, showing resilience in ball control. Their rushing defense limited Louisville to 113 yards.
Key Player Contributions
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III has been the standout, playing 3 games and passing for 445 yards. Running back Wayne Knight has been pivotal in the rushing game with 190 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the receiving end, Landon Ellis has been a primary target with 115 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
In the kicking department, Morgan Suarez has been reliable, making 2 field goals and 12 extra points. These individual performances have been critical to the Dukes’ overall success this season.
James Madison Dukes Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 22-5 (81.5%) in last 27 games (2022–2025)
- SU – All Games: 24-6 (80.0%) in last 30 games (2022–2025)
- SU – Home Games: 16-3 (84.2%) in last 19 games (2022–2025)
- SU – After Win: 22-6 (78.6%) in last 28 games (2022–2025)
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: 19-7 (73.1%) in last 26 games (2022–2025)
- ATS – All Games: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games (2025)
- ATS – As Underdog: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games (2023–2025)
- SU – After Loss: 6-1 (85.7%) in last 7 games (2022–2025)
- ATS – Away Games: 10-3 (76.9%) in last 13 games (2023–2025)
- SU – Away Games: 11-4 (73.3%) in last 15 games (2022–2025)
Georgia Southern Eagles Look to Extend Winning Streak Against James Madison
Offensive Strengths and Weaknesses
Georgia Southern Eagles’ offensive unit has shown considerable improvement this season, accumulating 120 points and ranking 39th nationally in scoring. Their passing game, led by JC French IV, has been particularly effective, with 894 passing yards placing them at 57th in the nation. However, the rushing attack has been less dominant, with 653 yards ranking 53rd.
In their recent 45-17 victory over Maine, the Eagles demonstrated a balanced offensive approach with 310 passing yards and 206 rushing yards. This balance was crucial in their ability to secure first downs, achieving 28 against Maine. However, consistency remains a concern as they have fluctuated between games in terms of yardage and point production.
Defensive Overview
The Eagles’ defense has been a mixed bag, allowing 152 points, which places them 95th in points against. However, their ability to generate turnovers and pressure the quarterback has been impressive, with 4 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 3 fumbles recovered, ranking among the top nationally in those categories. This opportunistic defense will be key against James Madison’s potent offense.
In their recent games, the Eagles have shown vulnerability against high-powered offenses, evidenced by their losses to USC and Fresno State. Nonetheless, their defensive playmakers have shown the ability to change the momentum with crucial turnovers, a trait they will need to replicate against the Dukes.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback JC French IV has been a standout for Georgia Southern, amassing 781 passing yards and 6 touchdowns this season. His performance will be critical in orchestrating the Eagles’ offensive game plan against James Madison. On the ground, OJ Arnold leads the rushing attack with 299 yards and 3 touchdowns, providing a reliable option in the backfield.
Defensively, the Eagles will rely on their turnover specialists to disrupt the Dukes’ rhythm. With players capable of making game-changing plays, such as interceptions and fumble recoveries, Georgia Southern’s defense has the potential to shift the game in their favor.
Recent Game Recap
Georgia Southern is coming off a convincing 45-17 win over Maine, where their offense executed efficiently, and their defense limited Maine’s opportunities. They controlled the game with a mix of passing and rushing, while defensively, they stifled Maine’s offense, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them.
This performance showcased the Eagles’ potential when all facets of their game are clicking, a blueprint they hope to replicate against James Madison. However, they must address inconsistencies that have plagued them in other games this season.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 25 Games (2020–2025) → 21-4 (84.0%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 15 Games (2022–2025) → 12-3 (80.0%)
- ATS – As Favorite: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 7 Games (2024–2025) → 6-1 (85.7%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 6 Games (2024–2025) → 5-1 (83.3%)
James Madison vs Georgia Southern Prediction: Over 57.5
James Madison’s offense is averaging 30 points per game, and Georgia Southern is putting up 30 points per game as well. Given Georgia Southern’s defensive struggles, allowing 38 points per game, and James Madison’s solid offense, a high-scoring contest is anticipated.
While James Madison boasts a strong home record, Georgia Southern has demonstrated an ability to score against challenging opponents. The Dukes’ offense will likely exploit Georgia Southern’s vulnerabilities, resulting in a shootout.
James Madison’s recent form and their tendency to perform well in high-total games suggest they will capitalize on Georgia Southern’s defensive weaknesses. With both teams likely to surpass their scoring averages, the game should exceed the set total.
Projecting a final score of James Madison 38 – Georgia Southern 28, this game should comfortably go over the total of 57.5 points.
- James Madison vs Georgia Southern Prediction: Over 57.5
- James Madison vs Georgia Southern Score: James Madison 38 – Georgia Southern 28
