JMU is bowl eligible! Where might the Dukes play in the postseason?
This JMU Football Bowl Game Prediction Tracker is updated weekly to provide fans with the latest information on where the Dukes could play in the postseason.
JMU played in its first bowl game of 2023, losing to Air Force 31-21. The Dukes entered the game without head coach Curt Cignetti, who resigned before the contest to take the head coaching job at Indiana University. Several assistant coaches were also absent for this loss.
Updated on November 13th
Sports Illustrated’s Patrick Andres: JMU vs. Liberty in the New Orleans Bowl on December 19th.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon: JMU vs. Western Kentucky in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
Eric Smith of USA Today: JMU vs. Miami-Ohio at Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 23
CBS’ Jerry Palm: JMU vs. Toledo at Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama), Dec. 14
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: JMU vs. Ohio at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, ID) on Dec. 23
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: JMU vs. Oregon State at the Independence Bowl (Shreveport, Louisiana) on Dec. 28
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: JMU vs. Jacksonville State in the 68 Ventures Bowl (Mobile, Alabama) on Dec. 26
This week is full of interesting matchups. JMU vs. Miami-Ohio will be a matchup of two stout Group of 5 defenses. JMU vs. Western Kentucky could be a shootout. And JMU-Oregon State will give the Dukes a chance at a former P5 team that failed in the latest round of realignment.
Updated on November 4th
Eric Smith of USA Today: JMU vs. Bowling Green at Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama), Dec. 14.
CBS’ Jerry Palm: JMU vs. Toledo at Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama), Dec. 14
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: JMU vs. South Florida in the Cure Bowl (Orlando, Fla.) on Dec. 20.
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: JMU vs. Sam Houston in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: JMU vs. Jacksonville State in the 68 Ventures Bowl (Mobile, Alabama) on Dec. 26
This week we have some predictions for the Camellia Bowl, where JMU plays in its first bowl game of the year. However, the Dukes won’t be the only college football topic of the day, with the Army-Navy game scheduled for Dec. 14. Still, if JMU starts the bowl season with the first bowl win in program history, it will make national headlines. That would allow the Dukes to immediately focus on the transfer portal and roster management for 2025. There would be an advantage to playing a bowl game early.
Updated October 23rd
Patrick Andres of Sports Illustrated: JMU vs. Minnesota in the Cure Bowl (Orlando) on December 20th.
Eric Smith of USA Today: JMU vs. Ohio at Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama), Dec. 14
CBS’ Jerry Palm: JMU vs. Liberty at Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 23
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: JMU vs. North Texas in the Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas) on December 17th.
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: JMU vs. Sam Houston in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: JMU vs. Jacksonville State in the 68 Ventures Bowl (Mobile, Alabama) on Dec. 26
The latest predictions feature a variety of potential opponents. The Dukes should have a good chance of winning their first bowl game in program history against a Group of Five opponent.
Updated October 15th
Patrick Andres of Sports Illustrated: JMU vs. Eastern Michigan in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18.
Eric Smith of USA Today: JMU vs. Liberty in the New Orleans Bowl on December 19th.
CBS’ Jerry Palm: JMU vs. Liberty at Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 23
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: JMU vs. Rutgers in the Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa) on Dec. 20.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: JMU vs. Liberty in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: JMU vs. Oklahoma State in First Responder Bowl (Dallas) Jan. 3
This update features two matchups against Power 4 teams. The matchup against Rutgers will be interesting, as Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasmiak has been mentioned twice as a candidate for JMU’s head coaching vacancy. Halasmyak was the head coach at Maine before becoming a respected assistant in the Big Ten. Of these predictions, the JMU-Eastern Michigan game is the least interesting on paper, but it would be a great opportunity for JMU to capture its first bowl win in program history.
Updated on October 8th
Eric Smith of USA Today: JMU vs. Liberty in the New Orleans Bowl on December 19th.
CBS’ Jerry Palm: JMU vs. Liberty at Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 23
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: JMU vs. Boston College at the Birmingham Bowl on December 27th.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: JMU vs. Liberty in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: JMU vs. Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27
Updated on October 4th
The first update includes an analyst predicting that JMU will make it to the College Football Playoff and face one of the most storied FBS programs. How was your third year in FBS at JMU?
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: 12th JMU, 5th Alabama in CFP
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: JMU vs. Liberty at R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: JMU vs. Liberty at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19
CBS’ Jerry Palm: JMU vs. Liberty at Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 23
As you can see, JMU vs. Liberty is a popular choice. The matchup pits two Group of Five powerhouses from the same state against each other, and seems like a smart move for a bowl game looking to garner fan interest and television viewership. The Dukes will play at Liberty in the 2025 regular season, and the Flames will visit Harrisonburg in 2026.
Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communication
