Don’t overlook the Sun Belt Championship Game and its potential impact on the College Football Playoff. No. 25 James Madison and Troy will clash Friday night at Showker Field, Harrisonburg, Virginia. A win for the Dukes could secure an automatic playoff bid, depending on the outcome of the ACC Championship.

Coach’s Move

Coach Bob Chesney is set to take over at UCLA, which might be a distraction but he remains focused on achieving James Madison’s first conference title since joining the FBS in 2022.

Game Insights

Winners of the Sun Belt East, James Madison stands at 11-1 while Troy finished the season at 8-4, winning the Sun Belt West for the third time in four years. Two-time defending champions Troy brings experience to the title game.

Key Matchup

Watch Jordan Stringer, Troy’s linebacker with 104 tackles, face Alonza Barnett III, James Madison’s dual-threat quarterback with 2,440 passing yards and 20 TDs, along with 1,000-yard rusher Wayne Knight. Troy’s defense, ranked 89th nationally, faces a tough task against the Dukes’ efficient offense.

Watch the Game

• Date: Friday, Dec. 5
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, Virginia
• TV: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)

Predictions

Expect James Madison to push for style points to impress the selection committee. The Dukes are heavily favored over Troy, expected to dominate based on their average victory margin of 27.38 in conference play. Pick: James Madison -23.5.