Coastal Carolina vs James Madison Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

It’s not exactly an elimination game in the Sun Belt East, but James Madison had better not lose this after dropping the road date to ULM last week.

It doesn’t have a nasty slate after this, but it can’t be two games behind Coastal Carolina.

The Chanticleers won a shootout over Old Dominion last week, but it has a nasty date against Louisiana after this. Win at JMU, though, and they’re in the driver’s seat for the division.

Coastal Carolina vs James Madison Preview

Coastal Carolina vs James Madison How to Watch
Date: Friday, October 10, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA
How to Watch: ESPN2
James Madison (4-1), Coastal Carolina (4-1)

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Why Coastal Carolina Will Win

The passing game has been fantastic.

If James Madison finds its groove again - it scored 133 points over a two-game stretch - the parts are there to crank it up with Ethan Vasko keeping the quick strike attack moving.

But this isn’t just the midrange pop-and-play passing style of the last few years. Coastal Carolina is hitting the big plays, the offense is among the most efficient in the Sun Belt, and most importantly against this team, it’s not turning the ball over and making big mistakes because …

Why James Madison Will Win

The James Madison defense is taking the ball away in bunches - again.

It might not be the D of the last few years under Curt Cignetti, but it attacks and forces everyone to screw up with 15 takeaways spread out of the five games - it has at least two in each game.

But this should be about the James Madison offense, particularly the ground game. Coastal Carolina has been pushed around way too much lately giving up two touchdown runs in every game but the win over Temple and allowing 584 yards to Virginia and Old Dominion.

That’s why …

Coastal Carolina vs James Madison: Who Will Win

James Madison won’t get too funky with this after the loss to ULM last week.

It’ll try to mix it up a little bit, but it’ll rely on the ground game that will point away at least 35 times and average close to five yards per carry.

No, Coastal Carolina doesn’t screw up that often, but it’ll turn it over twice in bit of an interesting fight the finally goes James Madison’s way late.

Coastal Carolina vs James Madison Prediction, Betting Lines

James Madison 37, Coastal Carolina 24
Line: James Madison -9.5, o/u: 60.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Coastal Carolina vs James Madison Must See Rating: 3.5

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