James Madison at Liberty - 2025 Matchup Preview
James Madison logo James Madison Dukes at Liberty FlamesLiberty logo
Saturday, September 20th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
James Madison -9.5 (48.5) (-375)  Open: -10.5
Williams Stadium - Lynchburg, VA

 
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: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 10)
JMU coming off BYE
LIB is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: James Madison -3.5   (SP+ JMU -9)

Projected Score: JMU: 24 - LIB: 21 (45)
JMU Win prob: 79% | Cover: 55%
JMU Travel: 76 miles
Flames (1 - 2) (0 - 3 - 0)
Coach Jamey Chadwell (21 - 5)
Avg Score : 22 - 21 (28 - 7 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 4.9 (#62)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 7)
 
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: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for James Madison's Schedule
Liberty's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Liberty vs Maine-25.551.0W 28 - 7UN
Sat 9/6 Liberty at Jacksonville State-6.050.5L 24 - 34ON
Sat 9/13 Liberty at Bowling Green-6.051.5L 13 - 23UN
Sat 9/20 Liberty vs James Madison+9.548.5
Sat 9/27 Liberty at Old Dominion+4
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/8 Liberty at UTEP-2.5
Tue 10/14 Liberty vs New Mexico State-14.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Liberty vs Delaware-8.5
Sat 11/8 Liberty vs Missouri State-18.5
Sat 11/15 Liberty vs Florida International-3
Sat 11/22 Liberty at Louisiana Tech-2.5
Sat 11/29 Liberty vs Kennesaw State-19

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 3
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2

Predictions for Liberty'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
LIB#52 (.25)46% (55)21.747% (50)3.16 (49)17744% (66)2423.44 (98)#97 (.19)36% (42)21.341% (78)28% (13)3.73 (73)39.320.7
 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
LIB#24 (.26)50% (7)54% (2)3.56 (7)23843% (60)1614.21 (43)#24 (.1)39% (39)39% (30)40% (66)3.68 (58)64.41.31.3



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
LIB Defense321.3735.8%3.730.7 - - - - - 64%35%41%28%10%.19
 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
LIB Offense321.72845.7%3.442194191772424.653%47%47%44%16%.25

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
Liberty330:4019.349%29%4.739.320.73.71.3028.7
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)
LIB Defense364% (131)41% (78) - - - - .27 (122)3.05 (98)75% (80)7% (118)1.49 (131)
 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)
LIB Offense353% (55)47% (50)38.31774.63 (95).14 (67)3.16 (49)64% (98)7% (40)0.99 (60)

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)
LIB Defense335% (5)28% (13) - - - - - - 1 (87).06 (30)2 (128)37% (35)29% (69).29 (75)3% (118)2.2 (104)
 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)
LIB Offense347% (80)44% (66)17292428.314.26 (34)3 (92).36 (58)1.8 (19)29% (57)37% (36).46 (48)9% (130)2 (66)

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   Liberty: 0.145

SP+ Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 3.6   Liberty: -5.4




Liberty's Power Ratings
Liberty's Power Rating: 0.145 #78
Liberty's Offense Rating: 10.53 #79
Liberty's Defense Rating: 9.85 #80
2025 Talent Rating: 606.00 #93
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #88
Liberty's 2025 Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Liberty's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.4 #88
Liberty's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.2 #89
Liberty's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.4 #88

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
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 Fav vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
James Madison 24
Liberty 21


Total Points: 45

Liberty Scoring
Offense: 21.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 28
Defense: 21.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 7

Liberty's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 1 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Liberty000 Overs
James Madison000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#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 lost 1 straight
James Madison has lost 1 straight on the Road
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
CategoryCatLIBJMU
OverallOver#73#65
OffenseOff#58#97
DefenseDef#81#28
Special TeamsST#80#79
PassingPass#65#113
RushingRush#49#44
Run BlockRBLK#71#56
Pass BlockPBLK#100#109
Route RunningWR Rt#34#96
TacklingTkl#98#18
Run DefenseR Def#103#21
Pass Rush DefPRush#76#48
Coverage DefCov#26#31

Weather Forecast
Playing in Williams Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: JMU | LIB
Depth Chart: JMU | LIB
Rosters: JMU | LIB
(#78) Liberty Info
Power Rating: 0.145 #78
Offense Rating: 10.53 #79
Defense Rating: 9.85 #80
Overall SP+ Rating: -5.4 #88
Offense SP+ Rating: 24.2 #89
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.4 #88
Talent Rating: 606.00 #93
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #88
Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 46%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.44 PPO
Avg Run Success 47%
Avg Pass Success 44%
Bad OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Bad DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 36%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.73 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 41%
Great Pass Def Success 28%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

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

Liberty Notes
(9/7) Run Def awful, gave up 370+ in L to Jax St
(7/11) Losing DE Bush in spring a blow, Bazile good
(4/7) Fr QB Houck a goal line runner that will play
(4/7) RB rebuild. Blue some exp, Gray moved from WR
(4/7) QB Vasko (C Car) vs Merdinger (NC) for QB1
(3/22) WR bad LY, 2 portal adds. Lots of Sr's
(3/22) OL decent LY, 3/5 back. 3 portals. Looks good
(3/22) Def best in CUSA, returns a ton. 5 portals.
(3/22) Chadwell good coach, LY went south though
(3/22) 3rd year staff, schedule is a joke

Liberty Highlights
Liberty is Undefeated at Home

Liberty offense is good on 3rd downs
Liberty has a good pass defense (#13)

Liberty Deficiencies
Liberty has a bad TO Margin (#116)
Liberty Fumbles a Lot (#113)
Liberty gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#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

Liberty's OC Newland Isaac
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ethan Vasko (Tr)518659%726638.4
Michael Merdinger (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Evan Dickens (Tr)3723026.252
Caden Williams2011705.925
Ethan Vasko (Tr)409012.324
Julian Gray106506.513
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Donte Lee Jr8187323.462
Reese Smith1211819.818
Jamari Person (Tr)9106011.820
Julian Gray688114.772

View Liberty's Full Roster
Liberty's DC Jack Curtis
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Derrell Farrar (Tr)151110
Joseph Carter141000
Brylan Green131002
Brenton Williams102110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
CJ Bazile Jr.92200
Derrell Farrar (Tr)151110
Brenton Williams102110
Damond Harmon71101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brylan Green131002
Eli Hall00001
Kam Cullins20001