The 2025 Credit Union 1 Sun Belt Football Championship Game showcases a clash of contrasting trajectories, with undefeated-in-conference No. 19 James Madison Dukes (11-1, 8-0 Sun Belt) hosting the resilient Troy Trojans (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt) in a bid for the league’s automatic College Football Playoff spot. JMU, riding a 10-game win streak after an early stumble at Louisville, boasts the nation’s sixth-ranked rushing attack and a top-10 scoring defense, positioning them as a potential at-large contender regardless of outcome. Troy, West Division champs under second-year coach Gerad Parker, clawed back from midseason injuries to starting QB Gunnar Crowder and both offensive tackles, but face a daunting task against JMU’s balanced dominance. This marks the third all-time meeting, with JMU holding a slim edge in a series known for tight finishes. The Dukes enter as heavy favorites in a matchup that could cement their playoff resume if they deliver a statement win.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, Harrisonburg, Virginia (Capacity: 25,000; home of the James Madison Dukes since 1982, renovated in 2021).
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: ESPN (with streaming on ESPN App, Fubo, and YouTube TV).
Weather Forecast
Mild early-December conditions are forecasted for Harrisonburg at kickoff, with temperatures hovering around 45-48°F under partly cloudy skies and moderate humidity (around 60%). Light winds (5-10 mph from the northwest) won’t significantly impact play, but there’s a 30-40% chance of scattered showers in the evening—per AccuWeather and historical models—potentially favoring JMU’s ground-heavy scheme if the field slicks up. No severe weather alerts; coaches expect playable conditions, though Troy’s pass protection could be tested in any dampness.
Injury Report
Troy enters healthier than midseason but with lingering O-line concerns that hampered them against ODU; JMU’s depth is tested at RB and LB, though their starters are largely available. No game-time decisions reported as of December 2 practices.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Troy | C. Fua’au | DL | Questionable | Undisclosed; limited in recent practices. |
| Troy | G. Langlo | OG | Questionable | Undisclosed; O-line depth issue from earlier losses. |
| Troy | E. Prather | OG | Questionable | Undisclosed; both starting tackles missed time but backups stepped up. |
| James Madison | Landon Ellis | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed; managed in win over CCU. |
| James Madison | Jordan Fuller | RB | Questionable | Undisclosed; backup role if limited. |
| James Madison | Ayo Adeyi | RB | Out | Undisclosed; season-long depth concern. |
| James Madison | G. Weathersby | LB | Questionable | Undisclosed; key tackler in front seven. |
| James Madison | B. Fique | LB | Questionable | Undisclosed; rotation player. |
Troy QB Tucker Kilcrease and WR Tae Meadows are fully cleared; JMU’s rushing duo (Wayne Knight, George Pettaway) unaffected.
Key Player Matchups
JMU’s elite run game (239.8 YPG, 6th nationally) vs. Troy’s vulnerable front seven (170.7 rush YPG allowed, 96th) headlines this tilt, with the Dukes’ efficiency (5.4 YPC) poised to exploit Troy’s negative YPP differential (-0.7). Turnovers could decide it—JMU +7.1 margin (10th nationally).
JMU RB Wayne Knight vs. Troy LB Jabari Moore: Knight (1,051 rush yards, 8 TDs, 6.2 YPC) powers JMU’s top-10 ground attack, clearing 100+ yards in 7 of 11 games. Moore (85 tackles) leads Troy’s improving but undersized LBs (4.5 YPC allowed in conference), tested badly by ODU’s 200+ rushers. Knight’s vision could gash for 150+ if Troy’s Qs hold.
Troy QB Tucker Kilcrease vs. JMU DE Jacob Dobbs: Kilcrease (1,414 pass yards, 9 TDs, 60.3% completion) has stabilized post-Crowder injury, but Troy’s line (49 sacks allowed) faces Dobbs (9 sacks, 14 TFL), anchoring JMU’s No. 10 scoring D (16.0 PPG allowed). Quick decisions needed—Kilcrease’s 7.3 YPA drops under pressure.
JMU WR Geovonte Dippre vs. Troy CB J. Reed: Dippre (42 rec, 650+ yards, 4 TDs) is QB Dylan Washington’s safety valve in play-action sets. Reed (3 INTs) bolsters Troy’s secondary (206.8 pass YPG allowed, 61st), but JMU’s 8.6 YPA (top-20) exploits man coverage—Dippre’s 15.5 YPR could yield chunk plays.
Troy WR Tae Meadows vs. JMU S Latavious Born: Meadows (45 catches, 650 yards, 6 TDs) is Kilcrease’s go-to (team-high 14.4 YPR), thriving on deep shots. Born (65 tackles, 4 PBUs) keys JMU’s opportunistic back end (12 INTs, 10th nationally), but Troy’s red-zone woes (66.4% TD rate) limit Meadows’ impact.
Offense edges JMU in sims (70% win prob.), but Troy’s resilience (W2 streak) keeps it from a total rout.
Team Records and Season Overview
JMU clinched the East with perfection, rebounding from a Week 2 loss with dominant wins (avg. margin +21.8 in conference). Troy overcame 0-2 skid (injuries) to claim the West via tiebreaker over Southern Miss, ranking 33rd nationally (8-4). JMU’s balance (451.4 total YPG, 12th) overwhelms Troy’s middling marks (325.6 YPG offense, 377.8 allowed).
| Team | Overall Record | Sun Belt Record | National Rank (AP) | Offensive PPG | Defensive PPG Allowed |
| Troy | 8-4 | 6-2 | Unranked | 30.4 | 28.6 |
| James Madison | 11-1 | 8-0 | No. 19 | 37.8 | 16.0 |
Troy: Parker’s squad notched key road Ws (e.g., Texas State OT), but exposed vs. top rush attacks.
JMU: Bob Chesney’s debut (11-1) features FBS-best rush efficiency, with only loss to Power 4 foe.
Recent Team Forms
Troy enters on a two-game win streak, outscoring foes 59-37 but struggling in losses (outgained 503-138 by ODU). JMU’s 10-game heater includes blowouts (avg. 42.5-15), forcing 20 turnovers.
Troy Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov 29 | at Southern Miss | W 28-18 | Kilcrease: 220 pass yds, 2 TDs |
| Nov 22 | Georgia St | W 31-19 | Defense: 2 turnovers forced |
| Nov 13 | at ODU | L 0-33 | Shutout; 138 total yds |
| Nov 1 | Arkansas St | L 10-23 | Rushing: 109 yds |
| Oct 25 | at UL Lafayette | W 35-23 | Meadows: 100+ rec yds |
James Madison Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov 29 | at Coastal Carolina | W 59-10 | Knight: 150 rush yds, 2 TDs; 3 INTs |
| Nov 22 | at Wake Forest | W 24-20 | Washington: 250 pass yds |
| Nov 15 | Georgia Southern | W 58-10 | Rushing: 300+ yds |
| Nov 8 | at Marshall | W 35-23 | Dippre: 2 rec TDs |
| Oct 28 | at Texas State | W 52-20 | Defense: Shutout 2nd half |
Series History
JMU leads 2-1 in three meetings since 1994, with all games under 20 points (avg. margin 12.3) and totals under 50. No prior conference clash; JMU’s 2023 win was a defensive slugfest.
| Date | Location | Result (Troy Score – JMU Score) | Notes |
| Sep 16, 2023 | Home (Troy) | L 14-16 | JMU FG seals thriller |
| Nov 27, 1999 | Home (Troy) | W 27-7 | Troy dominates I-AA JMU |
| Nov 26, 1994 | Away (JMU) | L 26-45 | JMU routs in playoff |
Troy’s lone win was pre-FBS JMU; Dukes unbeaten at home in series.
Betting Trends
Troy: 7-5 ATS (58.3%), 4-1 ATS in last 5 road; 6-6 O/U, unders in 4 of last 5 overall. Public 35% on Troy +23.5.
James Madison: 8-4 ATS (66.7%), 7-4 ATS as 19+ favorites; 7-5 O/U, overs in 5 of last 6. Public 65% on JMU ML.
Head-to-Head: JMU 2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS; unders in 2 of 3 (avg. 34.7 points).
Advanced: JMU +12.6 turnover margin
Game Odds
Troy Trojans 47.5
James Madison Dukes – 23.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
