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.
Watch the Sun Belt championship game on Fubo (free trial)
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
Pregame
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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