Ball St. Cardinals vs
James Madison DukesPredictions & Preview

James Madison Dukes Set to Face Ball State Cardinals in College Football Showdown

In Week 5 of the college football season, the Ball State Cardinals will face the James Madison Dukes in an intriguing nonconference game at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Cardinals, with a record of 1-2, are looking to break a two-game losing streak after falling to Central Michigan. The Dukes, on the other hand, are off to a strong start at 3-0, coming off an impressive win against North Carolina. James Madison is heavily favored in this matchup, opening at -19 in the betting lines and currently sitting at -20.5. The game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+, making it a must-watch event for football enthusiasts.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals +750 | Dukes -1300
• Spread: Cardinals +20.5 (-110) | Dukes -20.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 57.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that James Madison will win straight-up is 93%.

Ball St. vs James Madison Stats

Ball St. Cardinals

Ball State's football team is currently struggling after a recent loss to Central Michigan. Quarterback Kadin Semonza had a solid performance, but the team had difficulty converting on third down attempts. The defense also had trouble stopping Central Michigan's running game. The team is dealing with several injuries to key players. In terms of power rankings, Ball State is ranked 108 in offense and 133 in defense, with a record of 1-2 this season.

James Madison Dukes Analysis

James Madison displayed their offensive prowess in a recent game against North Carolina, securing a 70-50 victory on the road. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III had a stellar performance, throwing for 388 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns. The team's pass-catchers, Omarion Dollison and Cam Ross, each had over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. Despite defensive struggles and penalties, the Dukes managed to control the game with five turnovers. In terms of power rankings, James Madison is ranked 12th and excels on defense, allowing an average of 6.50 points per game. They currently hold a record of 3-0 and have had success against Ball St. in past matchups. Additionally, there are injury concerns for tight end Jordan Funk and wide receiver Taji Hudson, both listed as questionable.

James Madison's Dominant Offense Expected to Outshine Ball State's Defenses

James Madison is currently performing as one of the leading offensive teams to monitor this season, boasting an impressive average of 33.7 points per game. Given this exceptional performance, it appears unlikely that Ball State will be able to match their level of play. For context, the Cardinals have accumulated a total of 76 points this season, whereas the Dukes scored 70 points in just one game last week. Ball State has struggled defensively, consistently allowing more than 34 points in each game this season. With James Madison's strong +7 turnover ratio, it is anticipated that they will continue their successful run and cover the spread in this matchup.

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