James Madison at Marshall - 2025 Matchup Preview
James Madison logo James Madison Dukes at Marshall Thundering HerdMarshall logo
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 (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 37 - 18 (34 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 12.1 - 1.9 (#2)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 6)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
JMU 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: James Madison -16  (SP+ JMU -19.5)

Projected Score: JMU: 37 - MRSH: 21 (58)
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)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
 
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-7.546.5W 31 - 13UY
Sat 9/27 James Madison vs Georgia Southern-14.554.5W 35 - 10UY
Sat 10/4 James Madison at Georgia State-19.552.5W 14 - 7UN
Sat 10/11 James Madison vs Louisiana-18.544.5W 24 - 14UN
Sat 10/18 James Madison vs Old Dominion-3.047.5W 63 - 27OY
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28 James Madison at Texas State-7.555.5W 52 - 20OY
Sat 11/8 James Madison at Marshall-13.553.5W 35 - 23ON
Sat 11/15 James Madison vs App State-21.053.5W 58 - 10OY
Sat 11/22 James Madison vs Washington State-15.044.5W 24 - 20UN
Sat 11/29 James Madison at Coastal Carolina-24.054.5W 59 - 10OY
Fri 12/5 James Madison vs Troy-24.547.5W 31 - 14UN
Sat 12/20 James Madison at Oregon+22.547.5L 34 - 51OY

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
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Marshall at Georgia+39.555.5L 7 - 45UY
Sat 9/6 Marshall vs Missouri State-7.053.5L 20 - 21UN
Sat 9/13 Marshall vs Eastern Kentucky-14.549.5W 38 - 7UY
Sat 9/20 Marshall at Middle Tennessee-2.546.5W 42 - 28OY
Sat 9/27 Marshall at Louisiana-2.547.5L 51 - 54ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Marshall vs Old Dominion+14.557.5W 48 - 24OY
Sat 10/18 Marshall vs Texas State+3.065.5W 40 - 37OY
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/30 Marshall at Coastal Carolina-7.555.5L 27 - 44ON
Sat 11/8 Marshall vs James Madison+13.553.5L 23 - 35OY
Sat 11/15 Marshall at Georgia State-9.559.5W 30 - 18UY
Sat 11/22 Marshall at App State-3.557.5L 24 - 26UN
Sat 11/29 Marshall vs Georgia Southern-10.561.5L 19 - 24UN

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 (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#37 (.22)45% (38)37.148% (20)3.17 (29)23042% (61)1883.98 (43)#10 (.04)31% (2)18.433% (6)30% (3)3.41 (50)64.41.11.1
MRSH#58 (.19)45% (37)30.843% (68)3.05 (47)19848% (17)2083.89 (53)#65 (.16)39% (33)30.337% (12)42% (73)3.62 (64)59.91.31.8
 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
MRSH#60 (.21)43% (66)45% (47)3.35 (18)20340% (88)1813.93 (66)#47 (.13)40% (46)43% (75)37% (21)3.87 (79)42.50.71.5



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
JMU Offense1437.134.145%3.981.1214192301885.757%41%48%42%13%.22
MRSH Defense1230.324.738.9%3.621.8 - - - - - 51%48%37%42%16%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
JMU Defense1418.421.731.5%3.411.1 - - - - - 47%52%33%30%20%.04
MRSH Offense1230.831.345.1%3.891.3214061982084.857%42%43%48%13%.19

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 Madison1431:3920.947%41%6.664.41.11.15.92.5332.6
Marshall1230:0521.335%44%6.859.91.31.86.12.3332.2
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 Offense1457% (18)48% (20)40.2230.45.736 (16).21 (25)3.17 (29)77% (35)7% (18)1.04 (43)
MRSH Defense1251% (76)37% (12) - - - - .04 (28)2.6 (16)63% (17)10% (53)0.99 (88)
 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 Defense1447% (31)33% (6) - - - - (17)2.35 (6)57% (4)11% (26)1.07 (117)
MRSH Offense1257% (19)43% (68)41.4198.24.823 (40).05 (100)3.05 (47)63% (120)8% (38)0.85 (119)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
JMU Offense1441% (118)42% (61)14.424188.17.813.124 (61)10 (34).29 (50)1.7 (22)31% (69)31% (64).26 (89)6% (73)2 (67)
MRSH Defense1248% (59)42% (73) - - - - - - 13 (12).33 (109)1.8 (133)34% (37)29% (66).21 (35)6% (81)1.9 (42)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
JMU Defense1452% (105)30% (3) - - - - - - 12 (38).1 (17)1.8 (130)39% (3)24% (12).13 (12)9% (5)1.9 (41)
MRSH Offense1242% (117)48% (17)18.227.9207.97.511.418 (50)6 (7).38 (28)1.5 (84)28% (23)31% (61).31 (65)5% (25)2.1 (33)

James Madison's Power Ratings
James Madison's Power Rating: 9.92  #43
James Madison's Offense Rating: 9.35  #66
James Madison's Defense Rating: -0.57  #29
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: 14.5  #24
James Madison's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.5  #25
James Madison's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.7  #25

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 574.86
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 9.92   Marshall: -3.78

SP+ Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 14.5   Marshall: -5.2




Marshall's Power Ratings
Marshall's Power Rating: -3.78  #96
Marshall's Offense Rating: 4.53  #94
Marshall's Defense Rating: 11.89  #93
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: -5.2  #89
Marshall's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.8  #54
Marshall's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.3  #121

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 574.86
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 37
Marshall 21


Total Points: 58

Based on Last 4 Games
James Madison 35
Marshall 29

Total Points: 64

Based on Entire Season
James Madison 32
Marshall 26

Total Points: 58
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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/08Marshall23James Madison35James Madison -13.5Marshall53.5Over
202411/30James Madison33Marshall35James Madison -2.5Marshall52.5Over
202310/19Marshall9James Madison20James Madison -5James Madison49.0Under
202210/22James Madison12Marshall26James Madison -9.5Marshall48.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Marshall232 Overs
James Madison212 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 41 - 30 - 21 - 1
Road Teams4 - 03 - 11 - 12 - 0

(#43) JMU at (#96) MRSH
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatJMUMRSH
Power RatePwr #43 #96
SP+SP+ #24 #89
Perf GradeGrade #7 #57
OffenseOff #16 #80
DefenseDef #5 #31
Spec TeamsST #59 #106
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 OffMRSH Def
Perf GradePerf #16 #31
SuccessSuc #38 #33
ExplosiveExp #42 #129
PPAPPA #37 #65
PowerPwr #66 #93
SP+SP+ #25 #121
Pts POPPO #43 #64
HavocHav #34 #67
James Madison Run Game
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat
JMU OffMRSH Def
Run GameRun #8 #6
Run SuccessRSuc #20 #12
Run ExplRExp #43 #88
PPAExp #25 #28
Run BlockR Blk #16 -
OL YdsOLY #29 #16
Stuff RateStuff #65 #25
TackleTak -  #35
James Madison Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat
JMU OffMRSH Def
Pass GamePass #61 #61
Pass SuccessPSuc #61 #73
Pass ExplPExl #22 #133
PPAExp #50 #109
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #41 #87
F7 HavocF7 #18 #53
DB HavocDB #73 #81
Marshall on Offense
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatMRSH OffJMU Def
Perf GradePerf #80 #5
SuccessSuc #37 #2
ExplosiveExp #120 #132
PPAPPA #58 #10
PowerPwr #94 #29
SP+SP+ #54 #25
Pts POPPO #53 #50
HavocHav #30 #7
Marshall Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
MRSH OffJMU Def
Run GameRun #94 #8
Run SuccessRSuc #68 #6
Run ExplRExp #119 #117
PPAExp #100 #17
Run BlockR Blk #103 -
OL YdsOLY #47 #6
Stuff RateStuff #47 #7
TackleTak -  #21
Marshall Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatMRSH OffJMU Def
Pass GamePass #66 #2
Pass SuccessPSuc #17 #3
Pass ExplPExl #84 #130
PPAExp #28 #17
Pass Block/RushP Blk #69 #26
F7 HavocF7 #38 #26
DB HavocDB #25 #5
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 Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 65° - Wind: 7 mph
Rematch from Week 11
James Madison 13.5 (53.5)
James Madison won at Marshall this year (35-23)

Previous Matchups
Marshall beat James Madison last year (35-33)
James Madison beat Marshall in 2023 (20-9)
Marshall beat James Madison in 2022 (26-12)

  
JMU's OC Dean Kennedy (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Alonza Barnett21637058%28062387.6
Matthew Sluka (Tr)81173%100329.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayne Knight207137396.673
Alonza Barnett127589154.658
Jordan Fuller (Tr)8241555.126
Jobi Malary4334948.173
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Landon Ellis (Tr)36624517.362
Nick DeGennaro (Tr)28500517.976
Wayne Knight4039719.957
Jaylan Sanchez (Tr)30396113.280

View James Madison's Full Roster

JMU's DC Colin Hitschler (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trent Hendrick967323
Tyler Brown715105
Jacob Thomas653237
Drew Spinogatti517163
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sahir West4614774
Xavier Holmes (Tr)317664
Aiden Gobaira (Tr)338530
Trent Hendrick967323
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DJ Barksdale3630112
Justin Eaglin350008
Elijah Culp (Tr)444017

MRSH's OC Rod Smith (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Tr)17125667%20431758.0
Zion Turner (Tr)405968%409116.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Tr)15965864.124
Antwan Roberts9051245.754
Michael Allen (Tr)7738545.068
Joshon Barbie5624954.428
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Demarcus Lacey (Tr)65769511.868
De'Andre Tamarez (Tr)32395212.344
Toby Payne36387310.848
Adrian Norton (Tr)28383513.741

View Marshall's Full Roster

MRSH's DC Shannon Morrison (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boogie Trotter733135
Kerion Martin (Tr)676271
Cameron Smith (Tr)665238
Javae Gilmore (Tr)5610282
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braydin Ward186542
Paul Hutson III (Tr)376330
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Jamaal Whyce (Tr)295310
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cameron Smith (Tr)665238
Boogie Trotter733135
Daytione Smith502004