James Madison at Marshall - 2025 Matchup Preview

James Madison Dukes at Marshall Thundering Herd

Saturday, November 8th 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
James Madison -13.5 (53.5) (-575) Open: -12.5
James Madison 35 - Marshall: 23 (Sun Belt)

Dukes (12 - 2) (9 - 5 - 0)
Coach Bob Chesney (8 - 4)
Avg Score : 37 - 18 (34 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 12.1 - 1.9 (#2)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)

JMU 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: James Madison -14 (SP+ JMU -17)
Projected Score: JMU: 35 - MRSH: 21 (56)
JMU Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
JMU Travel: 192 miles

Thundering Herd (5 - 7) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Tony Gibson (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 30 (31 - 25 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)

Matchup
Schedules
JMU Players
MRSH Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

James Madison's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	James Madison vs Weber State	-26.5	54.5	W 45 - 10	O	Y
Fri 9/5	James Madison at Louisville	+15.0	57.0	L 14 - 28	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20	James Madison at Liberty	-7.5	46.5	W 31 - 13	U	Y
Sat 9/27	James Madison vs Georgia Southern	-14.5	54.5	W 35 - 10	U	Y
Sat 10/4	James Madison at Georgia State	-19.5	52.5	W 14 - 7	U	N
Sat 10/11	James Madison vs Louisiana	-18.5	44.5	W 24 - 14	U	N
Sat 10/18	James Madison vs Old Dominion	-3.0	47.5	W 63 - 27	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28	James Madison at Texas State	-7.5	55.5	W 52 - 20	O	Y
Sat 11/8	James Madison at Marshall	-13.5	53.5	W 35 - 23	O	N
Sat 11/15	James Madison vs App State	-21.0	53.5	W 58 - 10	O	Y
Sat 11/22	James Madison vs Washington State	-15.0	44.5	W 24 - 20	U	N
Sat 11/29	James Madison at Coastal Carolina	-24.0	54.5	W 59 - 10	O	Y
Fri 12/5	James Madison vs Troy	-24.5	47.5	W 31 - 14	U	N
Sat 12/20	James Madison at Oregon	+22.5	47.5	L 34 - 51	O	Y

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

Predictions for James Madison's Schedule

Marshall's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Marshall at Georgia	+39.5	55.5	L 7 - 45	U	Y
Sat 9/6	Marshall vs Missouri State	-7.0	53.5	L 20 - 21	U	N
Sat 9/13	Marshall vs Eastern Kentucky	-14.5	49.5	W 38 - 7	U	Y
Sat 9/20	Marshall at Middle Tennessee	-2.5	46.5	W 42 - 28	O	Y
Sat 9/27	Marshall at Louisiana	-2.5	47.5	L 51 - 54	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11	Marshall vs Old Dominion	+14.5	57.5	W 48 - 24	O	Y
Sat 10/18	Marshall vs Texas State	+3.0	65.5	W 40 - 37	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Thu 10/30	Marshall at Coastal Carolina	-7.5	55.5	L 27 - 44	O	N
Sat 11/8	Marshall vs James Madison	+13.5	53.5	L 23 - 35	O	Y
Sat 11/15	Marshall at Georgia State	-9.5	59.5	W 30 - 18	U	Y
Sat 11/22	Marshall at App State	-3.5	57.5	L 24 - 26	U	N
Sat 11/29	Marshall vs Georgia Southern	-10.5	61.5	L 19 - 24	U	N

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

Predictions for Marshall's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
JMU	#88 (.16)	44% (61)	37.1	47% (29)	3.28 (30)	194	40% (87)	216	3.93 (66)	#4 (.03)	34% (1)	18.4	34% (5)	34% (3)	3.64 (53)	54.8	0.7	2.5
MRSH	#60 (.21)	43% (66)	30.8	45% (47)	3.35 (18)	203	40% (88)	181	3.93 (66)	#47 (.13)	40% (46)	30.3	43% (75)	37% (21)	3.87 (79)	42.5	0.7	1.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
JMU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
MRSH		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2024

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
JMU Offense	13	37.1	34.1	43.6%	3.93	0.7	21	410	194	216	4.9	52%	48%	47%	40%	14%	.16
MRSH Defense	13	30.3	24.7	40%	3.87	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	53%	46%	43%	37%	19%	.13

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
JMU Defense	13	18.4	21.7	33.9%	3.64	2.5	-	-	-	-	-	46%	54%	34%	34%	20%	.03
MRSH Offense	13	30.8	31.3	42.9%	3.93	0.7	20	384	203	181	5.2	59%	41%	45%	40%	13%	.21

Additional Stats 2024

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
James Madison	13	31:45	20.8	41%	40%	7	54.8	0.7	2.5	7.1	3.2	6	32.9
Marshall	13	28:39	19.8	40%	59%	5.4	42.5	0.7	1.5	6.6	2.6	2	31.1

Run Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
JMU Offense	13	52% (54)	47% (29)	39.8	193.7	4.9	20 (67)	.17 (45)	3.28 (30)	72% (82)	10% (61)	0.98 (58)
MRSH Defense	13	53% (99)	43% (75)	-	-	-	-	.17 (93)	2.95 (57)	70% (50)	12% (30)	1.11 (118)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
JMU Defense	13	46% (19)	34% (5)	-	-	-	-	(14)	2.46 (5)	65% (26)	13% (15)	1.07 (106)
MRSH Offense	13	59% (12)	45% (47)	38.8	202.5	5.2	21 (59)	.22 (27)	3.35 (18)	76% (49)	8% (32)	1.06 (39)

Pass Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
JMU Offense	13	48% (79)	40% (87)	17.8	29.3	215.9	7.4	12.2	28 (15)	4 (1)	.18 (99)	1.5 (103)	31% (61)	29% (95)	.26 (95)	4% (18)	2.1 (38)
MRSH Defense	13	46% (37)	37% (21)	-	-	-	-	-	-	13 (31)	.13 (23)	1.6 (58)	34% (37)	26% (14)	.24 (40)	7% (25)	2.2 (102)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
JMU Defense	13	54% (116)	34% (3)	-	-	-	-	-	-	17 (5)	.07 (10)	1.8 (118)	40% (1)	26% (18)	.16 (11)	7% (24)	2.3 (125)
MRSH Offense	13	41% (123)	40% (88)	14.9	25.6	181.1	7.1	12.1	27 (20)	4 (1)	.23 (82)	1.7 (36)	30% (36)	30% (84)	.25 (98)	5% (52)	2 (76)

James Madison's Power Ratings
James Madison's Power Rating: 1.73 #59
James Madison's Offense Rating: 13.81 #63
James Madison's Defense Rating: 12.08 #56
2025 Talent Rating: 482.00 #120
Blue Chip Ratio: 2% #79
James Madison's 2025 Expected Record: 12.1 - 1.9
James Madison's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.3 #27
James Madison's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.9 #18
James Madison's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.4 #39

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 564.29
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 1.73 Marshall: -6.735

SP+ Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 12.3 Marshall: -4.5

Marshall's Power Ratings
Marshall's Power Rating: -6.735 #115
Marshall's Offense Rating: 6.50 #113
Marshall's Defense Rating: 20.47 #112
2025 Talent Rating: 608.00 #92
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #65
Marshall's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Marshall's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.5 #86
Marshall's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.6 #52
Marshall's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #118

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 564.29
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

James Madison Scoring
Offense: 37.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 34.1
Defense: 18.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 21.7

James Madison's 2025 Record
Record: 12 - 2
Record vs Spread: 9 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 7
Record on Road: 5 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0

Projected Score
James Madison 35
Marshall 21

Projected Total Points: 56

Marshall Scoring
Offense: 30.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 30.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 24.7

Marshall's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record at home: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 0 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	11/08	Marshall	23	James Madison	35	James Madison -13.5	Marshall	53.5	Over
2024	11/30	James Madison	33	Marshall	35	James Madison -2.5	Marshall	52.5	Over
2023	10/19	Marshall	9	James Madison	20	James Madison -5	James Madison	49.0	Under
2022	10/22	James Madison	12	Marshall	26	James Madison -9.5	Marshall	48.5	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Marshall	2	3	2 Overs
James Madison	2	1	2 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 4	1 - 3	0 - 2	1 - 1
Road Teams	4 - 0	3 - 1	1 - 1	2 - 0

(#59) JMU at (#115) MRSH

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	JMU	MRSH
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#59	#115
SP+SP+	#27	#86
Perf GradeGrade	#10	#65
OffenseOff	#32	#72
DefenseDef	#9	#52
Spec TeamsST	#50	#103
TalentTal	#120	#92
Blue ChipsBC%	#79	#65

James Madison Notes(12/6) Sun Belt champs, beat Troy. Could be CFP bound?
(12/5) Hiring Billy Napier (UF) after Chesney took UCLA job
(12/4) Only its 4th FBS season & could make CFP. Incredible
(12/3) HC Bob Chesney has taken UCLA job, will coach '25
(10/29) Just murdering SBC, very much a G5 CFP threat
(10/22) Leads CFB in Defensive Success Rate, Off Good
(10/21) Off shredded ODU for 624, 311 rushing, 12-16 on 3rd
(9/20) Good W @ Liberty, Def incredible. Run Off good
(9/5) QB Barnett holds too long, not pocket aware
(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
James Madison Injury Report

Marshall Notes(10/19) Avg 44 PPG in last 5, won last 2 as underdogs
(10/12) Off scorching hot, killed ODU, pass/run 220+
(9/21) Killed M Tenn, QB Del Rio-Wilson good/efficient
(8/30) Turner/Long/Rio-Wilson all played vs UGA
(8/26) QB1 Del Rio-Wilson, J. Long, Z. Turner listed OR
(8/1) Year 0 for Gibson & staff, 62 new players
(8/1) WR added 11 portals! Scattered not great
(8/1) Def complete rebuild. 30 portal adds (of 59!)
(8/1) HC Huff pushed out, opted out of bowl
(8/1) New OC Smith was RichRod's OC @ Jax St
(3/22) 3/4 of roster is new, along with staff
(3/22) QB Rio-Wilson(SU), Turner(JS), Shockey(NC St)
Marshall Injury Report

James Madison on Offense

Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat	JMU Off	MRSH Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#32	#52
SuccessSuc	#61	#46
ExplosiveExp	#104	#86
PPAPPA	#88	#47
PowerPwr	#63	#112
SP+SP+	#18	#118
Pts POPPO	#66	#79
HavocHav	#35	#19

James Madison Run Game

Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat	JMU Off	MRSH Def
Run GameRun	#8	#37
Run SuccessRSuc	#29	#75
Run ExplRExp	#58	#118
PPAExp	#45	#93
Run BlockR Blk	#20	-
OL YdsOLY	#30	#57
Stuff RateStuff	#33	#49
TackleTak	-	#28

James Madison Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat	JMU Off	MRSH Def
Pass GamePass	#96	#61
Pass SuccessPSuc	#87	#21
Pass ExplPExl	#103	#58
PPAExp	#99	#23
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#43	#86
F7 HavocF7	#61	#30
DB HavocDB	#18	#25

Marshall on Offense

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	MRSH Off	JMU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#72	#9
SuccessSuc	#66	#1
ExplosiveExp	#64	#125
PPAPPA	#60	#4
PowerPwr	#113	#56
SP+SP+	#52	#39
Pts POPPO	#66	#53
HavocHav	#32	#8

Marshall Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	MRSH Off	JMU Def
Run GameRun	#89	#9
Run SuccessRSuc	#47	#5
Run ExplRExp	#39	#106
PPAExp	#27	#14
Run BlockR Blk	#90	-
OL YdsOLY	#18	#5
Stuff RateStuff	#42	#9
TackleTak	-	#20

Marshall Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	MRSH Off	JMU Def
Pass GamePass	#66	#11
Pass SuccessPSuc	#88	#3
Pass ExplPExl	#36	#118
PPAExp	#82	#10
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#52	#19
F7 HavocF7	#32	#15
DB HavocDB	#52	#24

Program Comparison
MRSH 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'25 Profile: Down to Average G5

JMU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Rematch from Week 11
James Madison 13.5 (53.5)
James Madison won at Marshall this year (35-23)

Previous Matchups
James Madison beat Marshall last year (35-23)
Marshall beat James Madison in 2024 (35-33)
James Madison beat Marshall in 2023 (20-9)

JMU's OC Dean Kennedy (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Alonza Barnett	216	370	58%	2806	23	8	7.6
Matthew Sluka (Tr)	8	11	73%	100	3	2	9.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Wayne Knight	207	1373	9	6.6	73
Alonza Barnett	127	589	15	4.6	58
Jordan Fuller (Tr)	82	415	5	5.1	26
Jobi Malary	43	349	4	8.1	73

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Landon Ellis (Tr)	36	624	5	17.3	62
Nick DeGennaro (Tr)	28	500	5	17.9	76
Wayne Knight	40	397	1	9.9	57
Jaylan Sanchez (Tr)	30	396	1	13.2	80

View James Madison's Full Roster

JMU's DC Lyle Hemphill (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Trent Hendrick	96	7	3	2	3
Tyler Brown	71	5	1	0	5
Jacob Thomas	65	3	2	3	7
Drew Spinogatti	51	7	1	6	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Sahir West	46	14	7	7	4
Xavier Holmes (Tr)	31	7	6	6	4
Aiden Gobaira (Tr)	33	8	5	3	0
Trent Hendrick	96	7	3	2	3

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
DJ Barksdale	36	3	1	12
Justin Eaglin	35	0	0	8
Elijah Culp (Tr)	44	4	1	7

MRSH's OC Rod Smith (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Tr)	171	256	67%	2043	17	5	8.0
Zion Turner (Tr)	40	59	68%	409	1	1	6.9

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Tr)	159	658	6	4.1	24
Antwan Roberts	90	512	4	5.7	54
Michael Allen (Tr)	77	385	4	5.0	68
Joshon Barbie	56	249	5	4.4	28

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Demarcus Lacey (Tr)	65	769	5	11.8	68
De'Andre Tamarez (Tr)	32	395	2	12.3	44
Toby Payne	36	387	3	10.8	48
Adrian Norton (Tr)	28	383	5	13.7	41

View Marshall's Full Roster

MRSH's DC Shannon Morrison (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Boogie Trotter	73	3	1	3	5
Kerion Martin (Tr)	67	6	2	7	1
Cameron Smith (Tr)	66	5	2	3	8
Javae Gilmore (Tr)	56	10	2	8	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Braydin Ward	18	6	5	4	2
Paul Hutson III (Tr)	37	6	3	3	0
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)	51	6	3	4	2
Jamaal Whyce (Tr)	29	5	3	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Cameron Smith (Tr)	66	5	2	3	8
Boogie Trotter	73	3	1	3	5
Daytione Smith	50	2	0	0	4