James Madison at Louisville - 2025 Matchup Preview
James Madison logo James Madison Dukes at Louisville CardinalsLouisville logo
Friday, September 5th 2025 (7:00 PM EDT)
Louisville -15.0 (57.0) (-700)  Open: -15.0 | 57.5
Louisville 28 - James Madison: 14

 
Dukes (1 - 1) (2 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bob Chesney (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 30 - 19 (14 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.4 - 2.6 (#15)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
LOU 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Louisville -15.5   (SP+ LOU -10)

Projected Score: JMU: 19 - LOU: 35 (54)
LOU Win prob: 85% | Cover: 46%
JMU Travel: 374 miles
Cardinals (2 - 0) (0 - 2 - 0)
Coach Jeff Brohm (18 - 8)
Avg Score : 40 - 16 (40 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 9.1 - 2.9 (#20)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 3) (Avg: 5) (Bad: 2)
 
James Madison's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 James Madison vs Weber State-26.554.5W 45 - 10OY
Fri 9/5 James Madison at Louisville+15.057.0L 14 - 28UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 James Madison at Liberty-9.548.5
Sat 9/27 James Madison vs Georgia Southern-24
Sat 10/4 James Madison at Georgia State-21.5
Sat 10/11 James Madison vs Louisiana-16
Sat 10/18 James Madison vs Old Dominion-6.5
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28 James Madison at Texas State-2.5
Sat 11/8 James Madison at Marshall-14.5
Sat 11/15 James Madison vs App State-16
Sat 11/22 James Madison vs Washington State-14
Sat 11/29 James Madison at Coastal Carolina-15

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for James Madison's Schedule
Louisville's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Louisville vs Eastern Kentucky-37.557.5W 51 - 17ON
Fri 9/5 Louisville vs James Madison-15.057.0W 28 - 14UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Louisville vs Bowling Green-26.551.5
Sat 9/27 Louisville at Pittsburgh-3.5
Sat 10/4 Louisville vs Virginia-10.5
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/17 Louisville at Miami+12
Sat 10/25 Louisville vs Boston College-11.5
Sat 11/1 Louisville at Virginia Tech-19
Sat 11/8 Louisville vs California-10.5
Fri 11/14 Louisville vs Clemson-3
Sat 11/22 Louisville at SMU-3
Sat 11/29 Louisville vs Kentucky-10

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Louisville's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
JMU#97 (.12)44% (68)29.548% (46)3.3 (36)22039% (97)1413.69 (85)#16 (-.05)24% (2)1924% (5)24% (5)2.29 (25)8522
LOU#59 (.22)42% (77)39.544% (77)2.36 (119)17141% (83)2324.64 (41)#6 (-.12)32% (17)15.533% (25)30% (17)3 (50)77.521
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
JMU#88 (.16)44% (61)47% (29)3.28 (30)19440% (87)2163.93 (66)#4 (.03)34% (1)34% (5)34% (3)3.64 (53)54.80.72.5
LOU#15 (.31)46% (26)48% (20)3.09 (56)17345% (30)2514.27 (31)#73 (.18)40% (49)40% (44)40% (65)3.98 (87)46.10.81.2



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
JMU Offense229.51443.8%3.692213612201414.856%43%48%39%17%.12
LOU Defense215.515.532%31 - - - - - 56%44%33%30%16%-.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
JMU Defense2192824.1%2.292 - - - - - 53%47%24%24%25%-.05
LOU Offense239.539.542.4%4.642204031712325.745%55%44%41%17%.22

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
James Madison234:492147%33%985226.51.5034.8
Louisville226:362048%50%8.577.5216.55130.7
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
JMU Offense256% (37)48% (46)45.5219.54.85 (62).25 (39)3.3 (36)70% (79)11% (110)1.02 (54)
LOU Defense256% (109)33% (25) - - - - .04 (60)2.79 (70)75% (80)12% (46)0.91 (66)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
JMU Defense253% (97)24% (5) - - - - -.13 (16)1.26 (3)38% (4)13% (35)1.26 (119)
LOU Offense245% (99)44% (77)301715.75 (62).36 (21)2.36 (119)50% (124)8% (66)1.6 (4)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
JMU Offense243% (101)39% (97)17.5291414.98.13 (90)2 (60).02 (126)1.3 (113)31% (69)36% (40).19 (103)5% (76)1.4 (129)
LOU Defense244% (33)30% (17) - - - - - - 1 (87)-.33 (2)1.1 (7)36% (37)26% (43)-.02 (17)5% (94)1.4 (6)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
JMU Defense247% (42)24% (5) - - - - - - 3 (28).04 (27)1.8 (115)37% (34)9% (1)-.19 (4)12% (2)1.3 (3)
LOU Offense255% (34)41% (83)19302327.712.23 (90)3 (92).12 (110)1.6 (60)25% (24)26% (103).34 (69)8% (129)2.2 (35)

James Madison's Power Ratings
James Madison's Power Rating: 3.49 #71
James Madison's Offense Rating: 6.87 #93
James Madison's Defense Rating: 3.38 #46
2025 Talent Rating: 482.00 #120
Blue Chip Ratio: 2% #79
James Madison's 2025 Expected Record: 9.4 - 2.6
James Madison's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 3.6 #63
James Madison's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.7 #60
James Madison's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #56

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 574.86
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 3.49   Louisville: 19.045

SP+ Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 3.6   Louisville: 13.7




Louisville's Power Ratings
Louisville's Power Rating: 19.045 #31
Louisville's Offense Rating: 17.96 #37
Louisville's Defense Rating: -1.43 #24
2025 Talent Rating: 788.00 #57
Blue Chip Ratio: 7 #46
Louisville's 2025 Expected Record: 9.1 - 2.9
Louisville's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.7 #26
Louisville's Offense SP+ Rating: 36.7 #14
Louisville's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.8 #45

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


James Madison Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 14
Defense: 19 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

James Madison's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Louisville 35
James Madison 19


Total Points: 54

Louisville Scoring
Offense: 39.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 39.5
Defense: 15.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.5

Louisville's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/05Louisville28James Madison14LouisvilleLouisville -15.0James Madison57.0Under
202211/05Louisville34James Madison10LouisvilleLouisville -6.5Louisville53.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Louisville210 Overs
James Madison012 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 01 - 11 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 21 - 10 - 01 - 1

(#71) James Madison Info
Power Rating: 3.49 #71
Offense Rating: 6.87 #93
Defense Rating: 3.38 #46
Overall SP+ Rating: 3.6 #63
Offense SP+ Rating: 28.7 #60
Defense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #56
Talent Rating: 482.00 #120
Blue Chip Ratio: 2% #79
Expected Record: 9.4 - 2.6

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 43%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 44%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.69 PPO
Avg Run Success 48%
Poor Pass Success 39%
Bad OL Grades, Good OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 24%
Good in Scoring Position 2.29 PPO
Great Run Def Success 24%
Great Pass Def Success 24%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

James Madison has won 1 straight
Record on Road: 0 - 1 (1 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

James Madison Notes
(9/5) Def front 7 dominant. Shut down Louisville
(9/2) QB Barnett started opener, Run Off mauled FCS
(8/25) QB Barnett cleared to play, is a top SBC QB
(8/1) New DC Hitschler was co-DC at Bama/Wisc/Cincy
(8/1) Class of the Sun Belt, good on both sides + staff
(8/1) Great QB depth big w/ Barnett inj, QB run game
(7/13) QB1 Sluka (UNLV) played for Chesney at H.C.
(7/12) HC Chesney taking lots of FCS portals w/ exp
(5/29) RB loaded w/ Pettaway & Knight back. Top SBC?
(5/29) WR portal losses, 6 portals, good FCS adds

James Madison Highlights
James Madison is Undefeated vs Spread

James Madison offense is good on 3rd downs
James Madison has a really good defense (#2)
James Madison defense is really good in red zone (#25)
James Madison has a good run defense (#5)
James Madison has a good pass defense (#5)
James Madison Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#2)
James Madison Defensive Line is very good (#3)
James Madison Secondary is very good (#2)
James Madison defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#28)

James Madison Deficiencies
James Madison offense is not Explosive (#105)
James Madison does not Sack the QB (#112)
James Madison gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#119)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatLOUJMU
OverallOver#30#65
OffenseOff#41#97
DefenseDef#19#28
Special TeamsST#114#79
PassingPass#16#113
RushingRush#19#44
Run BlockRBLK#98#56
Pass BlockPBLK#20#109
Route RunningWR Rt#55#96
TacklingTkl#28#18
Run DefenseR Def#39#21
Pass Rush DefPRush#1#48
Coverage DefCov#74#31

Rematch from Week 2
Louisville -15.0 (57.0)
Louisville won vs James Madison this year (28-14)

Previous Matchups
Louisville beat James Madison in 2022 (34-10)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: JMU | LOU
Depth Chart: JMU | LOU
Rosters: JMU | LOU
(#31) Louisville Info
Power Rating: 19.045 #31
Offense Rating: 17.96 #37
Defense Rating: -1.43 #24
Overall SP+ Rating: 13.7 #26
Offense SP+ Rating: 36.7 #14
Defense SP+ Rating: 22.8 #45
Talent Rating: 788.00 #57
Blue Chip Ratio: 7 #46
Expected Record: 9.1 - 2.9

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.64 PPO
Bad Run Success 44%
Bad Pass Success 41%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 32%
Avg in Scoring Position 3 PPO
Good Run Def Success 33%
Great Pass Def Success 30%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

Louisville has won 1 straight
Louisville has won 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (0 - 2 - 0 vs Spread)

Louisville Notes
(9/5) Good battle with JMU, Run Off needs work
(7/28) Def meh LY, added 17 via portal. DL & DB heavy
(7/17) DBs all new, starters come from 8 portals.
(6/9) Stole UK AHC Marrow, best crooter in the state
(6/7) LB unit an ACC best, 4 multi year starters
(5/11) One of the most exp'd OLs, but 67% from portals
(4/12) QB Moss (USC) starter, good add. B Allen #2
(4/9) RB Brown great, Watson as well. Great future
(4/9) OL 3/5 back. 5 portal OL starters added. Solid
(4/9) Upset masters, beat ND ('23), Clemson ('24)

Louisville Highlights
Louisville in Undefeated
Louisville is Undefeated at Home

Louisville offense is explosive (#6)
Louisville offense is good on 3rd downs
Louisville Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Louisville has a really good defense (#17)
Louisville defense does not give up big plays (#11)
Louisville has a good run defense (#25)
Louisville has a good pass defense (#17)

Louisville Deficiencies
Louisville Can Not Run the Ball (#113)
Louisville Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#132)


  
James Madison's OC Dean Kennedy
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Alonza Barnett294762%232204.9
Matthew Sluka (Tr)6967%50125.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
George Pettaway1512008.035
Matthew Sluka (Tr)2711324.218
Wayne Knight1210118.459
Jordan Fuller (Tr)73104.48
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Landon Ellis (Tr)575115.026
Wayne Knight64307.212
Michael Scott43809.514
Logan Kyle338012.723

View James Madison's Full Roster
James Madison's DC Colin Hitschler
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trent Hendrick132000
Gannon Weathersby111100
Jacob Thomas91102
Mychal Mcmullin91000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Immanuel Bush62120
Jacob Thomas91102
Gannon Weathersby111100
Trent Hendrick132000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DJ Barksdale62003
Jacob Thomas91102
Tyler Brown80002

Louisville's OC Brian Brohm
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Miller Moss (Tr)304863%374227.8
Brady Allen6967%69117.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Isaac Brown18230312.878
Shaun Boykins54008.016
Braxton Jennings62704.510
Keyjuan Brown102612.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Bell9146116.264
Caullin Lacy674012.332
Kris Hughes350116.731
Jaleel Skinner335011.719

View Louisville's Full Roster
Louisville's DC Ron English
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
TJ Quinn141100
Clev Lubin (Tr)144400
Wesley Bailey (Tr)101110
D'Angelo Hutchinson90000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Clev Lubin (Tr)144400
Adonijah Green71100
Trent Carter11100
TJ Quinn141100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rene Konga82102
Rodney Johnson00001
Antonio Watts71111