NCAA rules mean even if you make a James Madison prediction involving a win over Coastal Carolina, the Dukes can’t win the Sun Belt East Championship. Because James Madison, which was an FCS powerhouse, is in the middle of a mandated four-year transition, the Dukes aren’t eligible to play in any postseason games. But the lack of tangible motivation hasn’t hurt James Madison.
Anyone making Coastal Carolina vs James Madison betting picks will see the Chanticleers are the walking wounded. When it comes to college football injuries, no team may have taken a worse injury this season than Coastal Carolina losing Grayson McCall to an injury.
The Chanticleers also had an unplanned bye week last week. Coastal Carolina’s game with Virginia was canceled following a shooting that saw three Cavaliers players killed.
Last game records
Coastal Carolina beat Southern Miss 26-23 No. 12 at home. The Chanticleers are 9-1 overall and in the Sun Belt East. James Madison beat Georgia State 42-20 on Nov. 19 at home. The Dukes are 7-3 and 5-2 in the Sun Belt East.
Matchup Information
Coastal Carolina at James Madison Betting Analysis
Chanticleers in search of a passing game
Coastal Carolina vs James Madison betting is heavily impacted by McCall’s absence. During a narrow 26-23 win over Southern Mississippi, the Chanticleers’ offense lacked the pop they had early in the season. Jarrett Guest, who was filling in for McCall, was intercepted twice and only completed 7-of-14 passes for 163 yards.
Wide receiver Sam Pinckney was still able to make plays, however, making four catches for 106 yards. Coastal Carolina will need to make sure its defense is tight against James Madison. The Chanticleers rank 119th nationally in passing defense, allowing 227.5 yards per game. Coastal Carolina allows 26.9 points per game.
The Chanticleers’ offense was scoring at a good clip before McCall’s injury. Coastal Carolina is averaging 31.6 points per game. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers odds show that maintaining that pace will be difficult.
James Madison ready to finish the fight
The Dukes have won two straight games and have improved their record to 7-3. James Madison has been scoring 36 points per game, which ranks 18th nationally. The Dukes are also putting up 447.8 yards per game, which is 26th-best nationally.
Defensively, James Madison is excellent against the run, which will help against Coastal Carolina’s option attack. The Dukes only allow 78.7 rushing yards per game. Todd Centeio leads James Madison’s passing attack, having thrown for 2,405 yards this season.
Chanticleers running back Percy Agyei-Obese leads the team in rushing, having put up 829 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Updates
- Coastal Carolina is 4-5-1 against the spread.
- James Madison is 6-4 against the spread.
- The Chanticleers have seen the over go 5-5 in their games this season.
- The Dukes have seen the over go 6-4 in their games this season.
- Coastal Carolina is 3-0 on the road.
- James Madison is 4-1 at home.
Coastal Carolina at James Madison Betting Preview
College football odds show that James Madison is a 14.5-point favorite over Coastal Carolina. The Dukes are -625 on the moneyline, while the Chanticleers are +450. The over/under is 54.
Coastal Carolina at James Madison Betting Prediction
Coastal Carolina vs James Madison betting features an exciting matchup that kind of, but not officially, impacts the college football standings.
If both NCAAF teams were 100 percent, this would be one of the best games on the NCAA football schedule this weekend. As it stands, this is a game where the Chanticleers may lose the battle but will still win the Sun Belt East Division war because of an antiquated NCAA rule.
When it comes to college football matchups, Coastal Carolina may not have the firepower to keep up with James Madison’s offense. However, the Chanticleers still have pride and will want to send a message to the up-and-coming program about which team is in charge of the division.
James Madison will win this game, but it won’t cover the 14.5-point spread.
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