When the two-loss Tulane Green Wave was recently awarded the #12 seed in the College Football Playoff Projections, the collective hand of the nation seemingly face-palmed on behalf of the James Madison Dukes. The message sent from the CFP Selection Committee to the former FCS juggernaut was simple — “no matter what you do, it’s not good enough.” JMU was spat on like filthy peasants, while the committee played the role of Marie Antoinette, saying, “Let them eat cake.” But the Dukes are for real, fans are right to be irate, and the CFP needs to shut up and listen.
The Dukes ended Week 13 by extending their winning streak to nine games and earning the #20 spot in the AP Top 25, as well as #21 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. That ninth-straight win came against the Washington State Cougars of the soon-to-be-rebooted Pac-12 in a 24-20 thriller — a victory that earned James Madison home-field advantage in the upcoming Sun Belt Championship game. It was the Dukes’ first non-Sun Belt victory since their dominant 31-13 win against wannabe in-state “rival” Liberty in September. But this is precisely where JMU’s biggest problem lies with the CFP.
There’s a reason JMU will be hosting the Sun Belt Championship on Friday, December 5. The newest addition to the conference, a team that was competing for its third FCS title just five years ago, has humbled its Sun Belt competition. In three of their last four games against conference foes, the Dukes have won by margins of 32, 36, and 48 points against Texas State, Old Dominion, and Appalachian State. The Dukes’ defense also held opposing offenses to less than 300 yards a game for an impressive seven-straight games until their win over the Bobcats in San Marcos, Texas.
As of November 23, 2025, JMU statistically leads the Sun Belt in scoring offense, with an impressive 38 touchdowns and 281 points scored in total – 40.14 per game on average. Compare this to the second-place scoring offense in the conference with the Marshall Thundering Herd, who’ve scored 28 touchdowns, 243 total points scored – 34.71 average per game. And that impressive defense previously mentioned? They also lead in both total and scoring defense, allowing a conference-best 1,926 total yards, 12 touchdowns, and 275.14 yards per game, as well as the fewest plays allowed with 424 total.
But despite the shutdown defense and blowout offensive showcases, one game has haunted the Dukes since early September — Louisville. JMU’s lone loss looks particularly worse following the Cardinals’ latest loss, 38-6, to the SMU Mustangs, as the team has since dropped to 7-4 and sits in the middle of an unimpressive ACC. Compare this to Tulane, which has beaten both the ACC’s Duke Blue Devils and Group of Five powerhouse Memphis Tigers, and the argument can be made that JMU doesn’t have a clear statement win.
However, in what world is a win over the Blue Devils a statement win? Duke is currently 6-5, and JMU’s loss against the Cardinals came early in the season when the club’s QB battle between Alonza Barnett III and Matthew Sluka was being determined on the field. And the victory over 8-3 Memphis, while clutch, gives off the impression that the committee is in bed with the American Conference. No matter what, the CFP seems ready to invite the American’s champion to the dance while outright ignoring the purple gem shining bright in the Shenandoah Valley.
One more key thing about strength of schedule is that the club can’t choose its conference rivals! Sure, the Sun Belt may not have as competitive a conference this year as the American does. But when its top team is blowing out its competition week-in and week-out, does that not send a message at all?
In the eyes of the CFP Committee, it’s apparently JMU’s responsibility to give the Sun Belt a massive facelift. The Dukes must single-handedly better the image of their conference, bolster each of their opponents’ programs and rosters, and win in a closer, more competitive fashion on Saturdays. Simply blowing out your competition in more than convincing fashion every week just doesn’t seem to cut it for them.
This may not be fair to the committee, but they’re not being fair to James Madison. Should their play not falter for the remainder of the season, this program has more than earned the right to represent the Group of Five in the CFP. And while some College Football fans, or Paul Finebaum, don’t like the idea of a Group of Five team being in the CFP to begin with, shut up.
The historic Cinderella runs during March Madness and the underdog stories of athletes in the Olympics repeatedly prove to be some of the best narratives in sports. Just because this hasn’t happened yet in the College Football Playoff doesn’t mean it never will.
James Madison’s defense has feasted this season and Alonza Barnett III is the steady captain of a very effective offense once in a rhythm. Head Coach Bob Chesney is even allegedly already in discussions of being poached away like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti was two years ago. The Dukes have only been in the FBS for four years, but they’re deservedly ready to rep the #12 Seed in the College Football Playoff.
JMU’s program is founded on grit, it’s stunned the NCAA with its rapid ascension into the FBS, and its fanbase is composed of the most loyal diehards a university could ask for. Just like Pat McAfee asked on College GameDay in 2023, why not the Dukes? They’ve gone bowling since “Let Us Bowl” loudly rang through the Blue Ridge Mountains, but now it’s time to dance on the big stage. The CFP Committee needs to wake up and realize that, too, and fast.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
