James Madison at UConn - 2026 Matchup Preview
James Madison logo   James Madison Dukes at UConn Huskies  UConn logo
Saturday, November 14th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Rentschler Field - East Hartford, CT

 
Dukes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Billy Napier (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 37 - 18 (34 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#94)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
CONN 2nd straight Home Game
JMU coming off BYE
CONN is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: James Madison -5.5  (SP+ JMU -7)

Projected Score: JMU: 32 - CONN: 26 (58)
JMU Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
JMU Travel: 402 miles
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jason Candle (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 35 - 27 (40 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 1.5 - 1.5 (#91)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 1)
 
James Madison's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 James Madison at San Diego State+2
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 James Madison at UConn-5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for James Madison's Schedule
UConn's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 UConn vs Lafayette-21
Sat 9/12 UConn vs Maryland+2
Sat 9/19 UConn at Southern Miss-2
Sat 9/26 UConn at Miami (OH)+2
Sat 10/3 UConn vs Syracuse-5
Sat 10/10 UConn at Temple+0
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 UConn vs Massachusetts-29.5
Sat 10/31 UConn at Air Force-2.5
Sat 11/7 UConn vs North Carolina-1
Sat 11/14 UConn vs James Madison+5.5
Sat 11/21 UConn vs Old Dominion-1
Sat 11/28 UConn at Wyoming-5

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

Predictions for UConn'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#41 (.21)45% (38)37.148% (17)3.17 (26)24442% (60)2113.98 (43)#10 (.03)31% (2)18.433% (6)30% (2)3.41 (47)72.51.11.2
CONN#9 (.31)46% (29)35.346% (44)2.93 (69)16547% (22)2844.58 (14)#113 (.22)47% (126)2750% (133)43% (89)3.8 (81)48.30.21.3
 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
JMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
CONN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
JMU Offense1437.134.145%3.981.1234552442115.757%41%48%42%13%.21
CONN Defense132719.546.6%3.81.3 - - - - - 55%44%50%43%15%.22
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
JMU Defense1418.421.731.4%3.411.2 - - - - - 47%52%33%30%20%.03
CONN Offense1335.340.346%4.580.2214491652845.345%54%46%47%12%.31

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 Madison1434:1322.547%52%7.572.51.11.26.12.5332.6
UConn1328:5021.241%71%4.948.30.21.36.12.7030.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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% (19)48% (17)42.7243.75.738 (16).21 (22)3.17 (26)77% (36)7% (17)1.04 (44)
CONN Defense1355% (121)50% (133) - - - - .21 (123)3.37 (132)67% (32)10% (70)0.95 (65)
 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% (32)33% (6) - - - - - (14)2.32 (5)57% (4)11% (25)1.07 (117)
CONN Offense1345% (110)46% (44)30.9164.75.326 (36).21 (24)2.93 (69)82% (8)6% (3)1.04 (38)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
JMU Offense1441% (119)42% (60)16.127.5211.17.713.126 (61)10 (34).29 (51)1.7 (23)31% (69)31% (66).23 (97)6% (72)2 (64)
CONN Defense1344% (18)43% (89) - - - - - - 11 (55).28 (83)1.6 (68)26% (132)33% (115).4 (113)5% (95)2 (81)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
JMU Defense1452% (106)30% (2) - - - - - - 14 (38).1 (15)1.8 (130)39% (3)24% (9).12 (11)9% (4)1.9 (40)
CONN Offense1354% (25)47% (22)23.634.7283.88.21230 (14)1 (1).44 (11)1.6 (48)32% (74)29% (83).48 (14)6% (55)2.5 (1)

James Madison's Power Ratings
James Madison's Power Rating: -1.41  #77
James Madison's Offense Rating: 7.54  #99
James Madison's Defense Rating: 13.95  #54
2026 Talent Rating: 634.00  #87
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #103
James Madison's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
James Madison's 2026 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 527.64
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
James Madison: -1.41   UConn: 0.04

SP+ Ratings Matchup
James Madison: 12.3   UConn: 5.1




UConn's Power Ratings
UConn's Power Rating: 0.04  #109
UConn's Offense Rating: 10.97  #80
UConn's Defense Rating: 25.99  #132
2026 Talent Rating: 678.00  #80
Blue Chip Ratio: 4  #57
UConn's 2026 Expected Record: 1.5 - 1.5
UConn's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.1  #53
UConn's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.0  #38
UConn's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.5  #76

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 950.5
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


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

James Madison's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
James Madison 32
UConn 26


Projected Total Points: 58
UConn Scoring
Offense: 35.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 40.3
Defense: 27 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.5

UConn's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202311/11James Madison44UConn6James Madison -24.5James Madison47.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UConn001 Overs
James Madison110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#77) JMU at (#109) CONN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatJMUCONN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #77 #109
SP+SP+ #27 #53
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #87 #80
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #57
James Madison Notes
(2/25) Vibes: Big reset, all new roster, will step back
(2/25) QB1? Could be 4 man race, Maiden some exp LY
(2/25) RB Pettaway back from inj, fun FCS portal adds
(2/25) WR? 5 portals, most prod from FCS. Have depth
(2/25) OL big ? 6 portals, 2 have started. Looks thin
(2/25) Def has 8 w starting exp, 6 are portals. No idea
(2/2) Napier decent hire, but dif type hire than recent
James Madison Injury Report
UConn Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Stable, Candle hire popular, 18 W's in 2 yrs
(2/17) My take: Candle underperformed badly at Toledo
(2/17) QB1? Osborne (Toledo) vs Merklinger (Tenn)
(2/17) 52 portal adds, 17 from Toledo, sneaky good
(2/17) RB 4 portals, none really stand out. Have depth
(2/17) WR 10 portal adds, 6 from Toledo. Should be good
(2/17) OL 10 portals, have 3 w starting exp, some depth
(2/17) DL 11 portals, only 4 have real exp, not sure
(2/17) DB 9 portals, one starting S and lots of PTers
UConn Injury Report
James Madison on Offense
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat
JMU OffCONN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #38 #126
ExplosiveExp #41 #42
PPAPPA #41 #113
PowerPwr #99 #132
SP+SP+ #18 #76
Pts POPPO #43 #81
HavocHav #32 #91
James Madison Run Game
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat
JMU OffCONN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #17 #133
Run ExplRExp #44 #65
PPAExp #22 #123
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #26 #132
Stuff RateStuff #65 #135
TackleTak - NR
James Madison Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 40%
CategoryCat
JMU OffCONN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #60 #89
Pass ExplPExl #23 #68
PPAExp #51 #83
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #70
DB HavocDB #72 #95
UConn on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
CategoryCatCONN OffJMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #29 #2
ExplosiveExp #26 #132
PPAPPA #9 #10
PowerPwr #80 #54
SP+SP+ #38 #39
Pts POPPO #14 #47
HavocHav #11 #7
UConn Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
CONN OffJMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #44 #6
Run ExplRExp #38 #117
PPAExp #24 #14
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #69 #5
Stuff RateStuff #40 #6
TackleTak - NR
UConn Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
CategoryCatCONN OffJMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #22 #2
Pass ExplPExl #48 #130
PPAExp #11 #15
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #3 #25
DB HavocDB #55 #4
Program Comparison
CONN 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

JMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Remains Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rentschler Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
James Madison beat UConn in 2023 (44-6)

  
JMU's OC Cam Aiken (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Arrington Maiden (Tr)51050%59005.9
Davi Belfort (Tr)4667%53018.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nick Herman (Tr)12592157.477
Seth Cromwell (Tr)13855974.125
George Pettaway3419505.735
Davi Belfort (Tr)169415.919
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Noah Grevious (Tr)52731314.173
Jeremiah Harrison (Tr)38652517.255
Braeden Wisloski26358413.868
Nick Herman (Tr)11113010.338

View James Madison's Full Roster

JMU's DC Robert Bala (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nakian Jackson (Tr)510000
Gannon Weathersby503150
Amar Thomas407270
Javis Mynatt (Tr)301110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amar Thomas407270
Javis Mynatt (Tr)301110
Mychal Mcmullin293110
DJ Kelly (Tr)101101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DJ Kelly (Tr)101101
Evan Spivey50001
Mekhi Rodgers80011

CONN's OC Marquel Blackwell (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kalieb Osborne (Tr)325262%427308.2
Jake Merklinger (Tr)132454%173207.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kenji Christian10552845.037
Trey Cornist (Tr)10446914.529
Kalieb Osborne (Tr)5128225.533
Cyncir Bowers (Tr)6324924.026
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Shamar Porter17219112.956
Kenji Christian17193111.442
Ryder Treadway (Tr)13176313.524
Javon Brown (Tr)8156119.546

View UConn's Full Roster

CONN's DC Ryan Manalac (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
K'Von Sherman (Tr)9315561
Esean Carter364331
Luke Murphy (Tr)364001
Anas Luqman (Tr)339452
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
K'Von Sherman (Tr)9315561
Anas Luqman (Tr)339452
Esean Carter364331
Chamberlain Campbell (Tr)62200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anas Luqman (Tr)339452
Zakaih Saez (Tr)131102
K'Von Sherman (Tr)9315561