James Madison enters the Sun Belt championship game with College Football Playoff aspirations on the line.
However, to set up that possibility on Selection Sunday, the Dukes first will need to get past Troy, winners of two of the last three Sun Belt championships.
The 19th-ranked Dukes (No. 25 in CFP rankings) and the Trojans are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 5 from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
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James Madison is making its first appearance in the Sun Belt championship game, despite winning the Sun Belt East Division in 2022 and 2023 under former coach Curt Cignetti. The Dukes were ineligible for the title game because they moved up to Division I FBS football.
Leading the way for Bob Chesney — who is expected to be officially named the next head coach at UCLA — is quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who surpassed the 5,000 passing yard mark last week vs. Coastal Carolina. James Madison also ranks in the top 10 of numerous defensive categories, including total yards (ranked fifth, 253.5 yards per game), first downs defenses (ranked fifth, 14.2 per game) and scoring defense (ranked 10th, 16.0 points per game).
Troy won the Sun Belt West Division for the third time in the last four years with a 6-2 conference record. The Trojans’ offense has been clicking the last two games with the return of quarterback Goose Crowder, while their defense holds the 12th-best touchdown rate in the red zone at 47.6% on the season.
USA TODAY is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along:
JMU vs Troy football live score
JMU vs Troy football live updates
This section has been updated with new information
End of first half: JMU 17, Troy 14
James Madison takes a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime in the Sun Belt championship game. The Dukes’ defense came up with a stop with Troy in plus-territory to give the ball back to the offense to ensure there is no tie at halftime.
The Dukes struggled with their passing game on offense, as Alonzo Barnett III finished 6-of-16 passing for just 58 yards in the first half, while their defense came up with four sacks against Goose Crowder. As for the Trojans, they struggled establishing the run in the first half, as they finished with negative-9 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Tae Meadows cuts Troy deficit with TD
Troy brings the game back to a one-score game thanks to a 2-yard rushing touchdown up the middle from Tae Meadows. It’s a well-constructed drive by the Trojans, who were able to extend the drive with a third-down conversion on an 11-yard pass from Goose Crowder to DJ Epps.
The scoring drive was 11 plays for 75 yards and took 4:44 off the game clock.
JMU extends lead with TD pass
Alonza Barnett III drops a 26-yard touchdown pass to Braeden Wisloski in the end zone on the play action pass to extend James Madison’s lead over Troy to 17-7 in the second quarter. It’s a great throw by Barnett II and an impressive catch by Wisloski.
The scoring drive was three plays for 44 yards and took 1:24 off the game clock.
Wayne Knight runs for 73-yard TD
Wayne Knight breaks off for a 73-yard rushing touchdown down the middle of the field to give James Madison the quick answer and the lead back. It’s the longest play of the season for the Dukes’ offense, per the ESPN broadcast.
Goose Crowder gives Troy lead
Goose Crowder breaks two tackles and finds his way into the end zone to give Troy the lead at 7-3 at the start of the second quarter.
The score was set up by a 30-yard pass to Tray Taylor at the end of the first quarter and a 37-yard pass to RaRa Thomas. The scoring drive itself was six plays for 74 yards and took 2:54 off the game clock.
End of first quarter: JMU 3, Troy 0
Troy moving on offense, JMU leads after first quarter
Goose Crowder connects with Tray Taylor for a 30-yard pass down the field on the final play of the first quarter to put Troy on James Madison’s side of the field for the first time. It’s the longest play of the night by either team’s offense.
James Madison brings a 3-0 lead into the second quarter thanks to a 40-yard field goal from Morgan Suarez.
JMU takes lead on field goal
James Madison opens up the scoring with a 40-yard field goal from Morgan Suarez. The Dukes lead 3-0 with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter.
The scoring drive was set up by a shanked punt attempt by Troy’s punter Evan Crenshaw from the back of the Trojans’ end zone.
JMU, Troy continue to trade punts
Alonza Barnett III tries to go downfield on third-and-6, but Braeden Wisloski is unable to hold onto the catch as he goes down. It results in another punt for James Madison, which has not been able to get the passing game going on its first three drives.
Not a ton of offense from either team so far in the first quarter, as they’ve combined for six punts.
Mychal McMullin sacks Goose Crowder
Mychal McMullin’s first sack of the season comes in the postseason, as the James Madison defensive lineman sacks Goose Crowder on third-and-2 for a loss of 7 yards. Troy sends out the punt unit for the second consecutive drive.
James Madison punts
After starting its first drive positively with a 16-yard scramble up the right sideline from Alonza Barnett III, James Madison punts the ball back to Troy.
Troy punts
James Madison breaks up back-to-back pass attempts from Troy quarterback Goose Crowder, and the Trojans send out the punt unit to begin the night.
James Madison wins coin toss
James Madison wins the coin toss and defers the kickoff to the second half. It will be Goose Crowder and Troy’s offense out on the field first on a cold December night in Harrisonburg.
Pregame
The Sun Belt championship game between James Madison and Troy is just about to kick off in Virginia. The Dukes will be the home team thanks to their 11-1 overall and perfect 8-0 record in Sun Belt play.
Troy warming up ahead of Sun Belt championship game
The Trojans have taken the field in Harrisonburg to get ready for their Sun Belt championship game against James Madison. A win for Troy on Friday would play spoiler to James Madison’s CFP outlook.
James Madison arrives for Sun Belt championship game
The Dukes have arrived on site for their first Sun Belt championship game appearance. A win against Troy would give James Madison its 12th win of the season, a program record since it transitioned from the FCS in 2022.
Has JMU football won the Sun Belt championship before?
No, despite winning the Sun Belt East Division three times, James Madison has not won the conference championship game before. It is the first season that James Madison is eligible for the Sun Belt title game because of its transition from the FCS in 2022.
Has Troy football won the Sun Belt championship before?
Yes, Troy has won two Sun Belt championships in program history. A win over James Madison on Friday would mark the third Sun Belt title in the last four years for Troy.
What’s at stake for JMU in the Sun Belt championship game?
James Madison is playing for a potential shot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
If the Dukes handle their business against Troy, their path to the CFP would rely on the ACC championship game, specifically with Duke pulling off the upset over Virginia (No. 17 in CFP). That would open the door for the Dukes to potentially make the final 12-team bracket as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.
Of course, there also is the possibility that the selection committee would jump Duke, unranked in the penultimate top 25 rankings, ahead of James Madison.
Is Bob Chesney coaching James Madison tonight in Sun Belt championship?
Yes, Bob Chesney is expected to coach James Madison in the Sun Belt championship game vs. Troy despite being the reported next head coach at UCLA.
James Madison vs Troy live odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Dec. 5
Spread: James Madison -23.5
Over/under: 46.5
Moneyline: James Madison (-3000) | Troy (+1250)
What time does James Madison vs Troy start?
Date: Friday, Dec. 5
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Bridgeforth Stadium (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
James Madison and Troy will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 5 from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
What TV channel is James Madison vs Troy on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Livestream: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The Sun Belt championship game between James Madison and Troy will be broadcast on ESPN. Anish Shroff and Andre Ware will have the call from the booth, while Paul Carcaterra will report from the sidelines.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries ESPN and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream the Sun Belt championship game live with Fubo (free trial)
James Madison vs Troy predictions
‘You’re not getting off the hook that easy, CFP committee. Although the American Conference has been the belle of the ball this season, the Dukes have made a compelling argument to represent the non-Power Four teams in the playoffs. This game does not curb their case, as James Madison does what it’s done all season: Dispatch teams it is simply better than.’
‘Welcome to the CFP, James Madison. The Dukes have little trouble in a dominant win over Troy to earn a CFP berth as the highest-ranked Group of Five conference team. James Madison runs over Troy early and leaves no doubt for the CFP committee to put them in the 12-team playoff.’
James Madison football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at James Madison’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
Saturday, Aug. 30: James Madison 45, Weber State 10
Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
Friday, Sept. 13: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 20: James Madison 31, Liberty 13
Saturday, Sept. 27: James Madison 35, Georgia Southern 10 *
Saturday, Oct. 4: James Madison 14, Georgia State 7 *
Saturday, Oct. 11: James Madison 24, Louisiana 14 *
Saturday, Oct. 18: James Madison 63, Old Dominion 27 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Tuesday, Oct. 28: James Madison 52, Texas State 20 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: James Madison 35, Marshall 23 *
Saturday, Nov. 15: James Madison 58, Appalachian State 10 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: James Madison 24, Washington State 20
Saturday, Nov. 29: James Madison 59, Coastal Carolina 10 *
Friday, Dec. 5: vs. Troy | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) **
* Denotes Sun Belt game
** Denotes Sun Belt championship game
Troy football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Troy’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
Saturday, Aug. 30: Troy 38, Nicholls 20
Saturday, Sept. 6: Clemson 27, Troy 16
Saturday, Sept. 13: Memphis 28, Troy 7
Saturday, Sept. 20: Troy 21, Buffalo 17
Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 4: Troy 31, South Alabama 24 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: Troy 48, Texas State 41 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 18: Troy 37, Louisiana-Monroe 14 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: Troy 35, Louisiana 23 *
Saturday, Nov. 1: Arkansas State 23, Troy 10 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
Thursday, Nov. 13: Old Dominion 33, Troy 0 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: Troy 31, Georgia State 19 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Troy 28, Southern Miss 18 *
Friday, Dec. 5: vs. No. 19 James Madison | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) **
* Denotes Sun Belt game
** Denotes Sun Belt championship game
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