As we head into Week 7 of the 2025 College Football regular season, the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns take on the James Madison Dukes. The game will be held at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field in Harrisonburg, VA, with kick-off slated for 12:00 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN2.
The Ragin’ Cajuns enter this contest with a 2-3 record, struggling on the road with a 0-2 away record. Their recent games have been a mixed bag, including a high-scoring 54-51 win over Marshall. However, they also suffered a heavy 52-10 loss to Missouri, highlighting their inconsistent form this season.
In contrast, the Dukes have showcased a strong start to their season with a 4-1 record, including an undefeated 2-0 record at home. Their recent victory against Georgia State, 14-7, demonstrates their defensive capability. With a formidable home advantage, James Madison looks to continue their positive momentum in the Sun Belt conference.
James Madison vs Louisiana-Lafayette At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM
- Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, Harrisonburg, VA
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- James Madison Record: 4-1 (2-0 in conference)
- Louisiana-Lafayette Record: 2-3 (1-0 in conference)
- Consensus Odds: James Madison favored at -17.5 spread, total points 47.5
James Madison Dukes Ready to Charge Forward
Team Overview
The James Madison Dukes have shown remarkable strength this season, particularly on the ground. They have amassed 1,235 rushing yards, ranking 13th nationally, which is a testament to their powerful run game. Their offensive strategy heavily relies on running the ball effectively to control the tempo of the game.
Defensively, the Dukes have been resilient, allowing only 68 points against, placing them 32nd in the nation. This defensive prowess is further highlighted by their ability to sack the quarterback, with 15 sacks that place them in the top 10.
Offensive Leaders
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III has been efficient, throwing for 667 yards in five games, which ranks him 114th nationally. While not a high-flying passing attack, Barnett has managed the game well and minimized turnovers.
Running back Wayne Knight is the standout performer on offense, rushing for 426 yards, making him 39th in the nation. His ability to find the end zone has been crucial, with four rushing touchdowns to his name.
Defensive Standouts
The defense has been a cornerstone of the Dukes’ success, with an impressive interception rate, ranked 4th in the country. Their defensive line has been dominant, recovering fumbles and applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks consistently.
Linebackers and secondary have complemented the defensive front well, allowing the Dukes to maintain a balanced defensive unit. This cohesiveness has been instrumental in their ability to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Recent Performance
James Madison is coming off a tight 14-7 win over Georgia State, showcasing their ability to grind out victories in close contests. The Dukes’ defense was particularly impressive, limiting Georgia State to only 37 rushing yards.
Their previous games have seen them rack up significant rushing yards, including a dominant 343 yards against Georgia Southern. This consistency in the ground game has been a key factor in their winning streak.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 24-5 (82.8%) in last 29 games (2022–2025)
- SU – Home Games: 17-3 (85.0%) in last 20 games (2022–2025)
- SU – All Games: 24-6 (80.0%) in last 30 games (2022–2025)
- SU – After Win: 24-6 (80.0%) in last 30 games (2022–2025)
- ATS – As Underdog: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games (2023–2025)
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns: Ready for Action on the Road
Offensive Dynamics
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ offense has been a mixed bag this season. They have managed to score 141 points, ranking 56th in the nation. However, their passing game has struggled, with only 602 passing yards, placing them 128th.
Their ground attack has been more effective, recording 1,061 rushing yards, which ranks 28th nationally. This emphasis on the run game has contributed to their 95 first downs, positioning them at 47th overall. This approach highlights the team’s reliance on their rushing prowess to move the chains.
Defensive Standings
Defensively, the Ragin’ Cajuns have had challenges, allowing 161 points, ranking 100th. Despite this, they have been effective in creating turnovers with 3 interceptions, ranking 4th, and recovering 2 fumbles, placing them 7th.
Their pass rush has also been impressive, with 9 sacks, giving them a ranking of 15th. This ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks is a crucial part of their defensive strategy.
Recent Game Performances
In recent games, Louisiana-Lafayette showcased their offensive capabilities in a high-scoring 54-51 win over Marshall. In this contest, they accumulated 264 rushing yards and 197 passing yards, demonstrating a balanced offensive attack.
Earlier in the season, they suffered a narrow 34-31 loss to Eastern Michigan. Despite the defeat, the team showed resilience with 227 passing yards and 214 rushing yards.
Key Players
Quarterbacks Lunch Winfield and Daniel Beale have led the passing attack, with Beale throwing for 385 yards and 1 touchdown over five games. Running back Zylan Perry is a standout performer with 411 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr., currently out with a hamstring injury, has contributed significantly with 150 receiving yards. His absence is notable, but other receivers like Charles Robertson and Dale Martin have stepped up.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – Home Games: Last 30 Games (2020–2025) → 22-8 (73.3%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 17 Games (2022–2025) → 13-4 (76.5%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 10 Games (2022–2025) → 8-2 (80.0%)
James Madison vs Louisiana-Lafayette Prediction: Under 47.5
The upcoming game between James Madison and Louisiana-Lafayette is projected to be a low-scoring affair based on recent performance metrics. James Madison’s defense ranks 32nd in points against, allowing only 68 points over the season, which suggests they are effective at keeping opposing teams out of the end zone. With Louisiana-Lafayette struggling on the road, evidenced by their 0-2 away record, it’s likely they will face challenges in breaking through James Madison’s defense.
Louisiana-Lafayette’s offense has shown strength in rushing, ranking 28th, but their passing game is among the weakest nationally at 128th. Against a strong defense like James Madison’s, which has a top-ranked interception and sack record, the Ragin’ Cajuns may struggle to move the ball effectively. James Madison’s recent win over Georgia State was a defensive battle, ending 14-7, further indicating a trend towards low-scoring games.
Given these factors, the total points are likely to stay under 47.5. The Dukes’ defensive prowess combined with the Ragin’ Cajuns’ offensive inconsistencies suggest that both teams may not put up enough points to exceed the set total. A projected score of James Madison 28 – Louisiana-Lafayette 10 aligns with this under prediction.
The data points to a strategic, defense-oriented game, where the under is the most probable outcome. Betting trends also support this direction, with James Madison’s recent games consistently falling short of high totals.
- James Madison vs Louisiana-Lafayette Prediction: Under 47.5
- James Madison vs Louisiana-Lafayette Score: James Madison 28 – Louisiana-Lafayette 10
