In less than two weeks, JMU football’s 2024 season begins. The Dukes visit Charlotte on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2024 campaign, which is Bob Chesney’s first leading the program.

The Dukes enter 2024 with significant roster turnover, but they’re still expected to contend for the Sun Belt title. Part of the reason JMU enters the season with a projected win total of 8.5 in the betting markets is the team’s strength of schedule. ESPN’s FPI says the Dukes have a strength of schedule of 122nd nationally, giving JMU one of the easiest 15 schedules in the FBS.

On paper, the schedule is anything but brutal. Still, the schedule comes with potential roadblocks and tests. Let’s break down which games could give the Dukes the biggest trouble in 2024.

12. Gardner-Webb, Sept. 7

The lone FCS team on JMU’s schedule, Gardner-Webb returns only a few starters from a team that went 7-5 last fall. The FCS playoff participant lost a ton of talent, including defensive back Ja’Kai Young to JMU.

Head coach Tre Lamb left for ETSU this offseason, and Cris Reisert takes over the program. The Runnin’ Bulldogs were picked to finish fifth in the Big South/OVC. Reisert won big at the Division II level, but it might take a couple years to bring Gardner-Webb back to the FCS postseason.

JMU should cruise through this matchup.

11. Ball State, Sept. 28

The Cardinals are shaky on paper. They’re projected to finish toward the bottom of the MAC, and they’re inexperienced at quarterback.

The program has just one winning season (a COVID-altered 2020) under head coach Mike Neu. It’s hard to imagine the ceiling being higher than a bowl game appearance for Ball State, and the Dukes face the Cardinals at home early in the season. JMU should be a double-digit favorite.

Editor’s note: Want to read JMU Sports News’ fall camp master guide? You can access our detailed document here. 

10. Georgia State, Nov. 9

The Panthers are predicted to finish last in the Sun Belt East, largely due to major roster and coaching turnover. Standout running back Marcus Carroll now plays for Missouri, and quarterback Darren Grainger graduated.

With the game at home, JMU figures to be a large favorite barring any major injuries or a shocking step forward for Georgia State. Keep an eye on the Panthers in future seasons, as new head coach Dell McGee was once an elite high school football head coach and spent several seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs. He’s a stellar recruiter.

9. At ULM, Oct. 5

Playing this on the road could be tricky. JMU will need to maintain its focus in a sleepy road environment, but ULM is projected to be the worst team in the Sun Belt West.

JMU should be a significant favorite, and a loss here would be highly disappointing for Bob Chesney and company.

8. Southern Miss, Oct. 26

JMU’s SBC West opponents aren’t scary, at least on paper. Southern Miss is projected to finish sixth in the West this fall, although head coach Will Hall hopes to have his program bounce back after a 3-9 season.

With Frank Gore Jr. gone, the Golden Eagles lose arguably their most entertaining player. If Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker works out at quarterback, however, Southern Miss could be a positive surprise in the Sun Belt. He’s talented, but unproven at the collegiate level.

7. At Old Dominion, Nov. 16

The Monarchs, picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt East, return head coach Ricky Rahne. He always seemingly gets Old Dominion to outperform preseason expectations, and the Monarchs nearly beat JMU in Harrisonburg in 2023.

The offensive scheme, which spreads receivers extremely wide, presents a unique challenge. Old Dominion’s offensive line still has major question marks, though, and it’s hard to consistently win football games without stellar line play. This game could be harder than casual fans anticipate, and linebacker Jason Henderson is one of the best linebackers in the country.

6. Coastal Carolina, Oct. 10

Is Coastal Carolina good? I’m not sure we’ll ever know the answer in 2024.

The Chanticleers should compete to make a bowl game, but the roster seems to lack the top-end talent to win the Sun Belt. Ethan Vasko returns at quarterback, but he’s not Grayson McCall. The Chants also lose talented wide receiver Sam Pickney.

Coastal Carolina should be fine. The roster is OK. Coastal Carolina shouldn’t be bad. The Chanticleers don’t look elite, though.

5. At Charlotte, Aug. 31

Charlotte went just 3-9 last season, and the 49ers are picked to finish toward the bottom of the AAC. Still, this game is tricky.

For starters, JMU is breaking in a new team and coaching staff on the road in Week 1. There are sure to be a few mistakes along the way.

Secondly, Charlotte owns a comical level of talent for a lower-tier Group of Five squad. Biff Poggi LOVES a Power Four transfer, and he snagged a stud in Florida quarterback Max Brown. He’s still raw, but his athleticism makes him dangerous. If he’s able to show poise under pressure and avoid turnovers, Brown poses a real threat to JMU.

Charlotte’s defense is also underrated. Stone Handy is a name to monitor along a strong defensive front. The 49ers might have one of the better defensive fronts in the AAC, and Donte Balfour is a future pro at corner. Charlotte holds a lot of individual talent, but will that all come together to form a cohesive and competitive team?

4. Marshall, Nov. 30

What will Marshall be in 2024? Your guess is as good as mine.

Charles Huff brought in offensive coordinator Seth Doege to turn Marshall’s anemic 2023 offense into an Air Raid system in 2024. Sure, why not!

Wake Forest transfer Mitch Griffis (older brother of JMU quarterback Brett Griffis) retired this offseason, leaving some questions at quarterback. Cole Pennington (son of Chad Pennington) could slot into the starting position, although Tulsa transfer Braylon Braxton possesses impressive running ability.

Defensively, the Thundering Herd have talent, but there are ample unknowns. Marshall is really talented, but the offensive scheme shift could either make them a league title contender or result in a disjointed unit in 2024 struggling to overhaul its identity.

3. At Georgia Southern, Oct. 19

I love Georgia Southern’s roster, which returns significant talent at the skill positions and defensively. Running back Jalen White has consecutive seasons with at least 850 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, making him one of the Sun Belt’s best running backs. Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent is one of my favorite players in the league to watch, and he’s poised for a third consecutive 100-tackle season.

If Georgia Southern finds decent quarterback play – the Eagles threw way too many dumb interceptions last season – there’s reason to believe they’ll have a shot to win the Sun Belt East. Playing this game on the road is tough for JMU.

2. At North Carolina, Sept. 21

Most games against Power Four opponents are an uphill battle, and this is no exception. While North Carolina isn’t viewed as one of the ACC favorites, the Tar Heels are loaded with NFL caliber talent.

Running back Omarion Hampton might be the best running back in college football. If JMU struggles to stop the run, this could be a long game.

On the bright side for JMU, the Dukes face UNC off a bye week. JMU should enter the game as an underdog, but expect a spread inside of 10 points. JMU can absolutely hang with UNC, but the Dukes will not be expected to win.

1. At App State, Nov. 23

App State might be the best team on JMU’s schedule, including UNC. The Mountaineers return their head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and quarterback from a nine-win team. There’s a lot to like about this group.

Joey Aguilar is arguably the best signal caller in the Sun Belt, and he’s one of nine Mountaineers on the preseason All-Sun Belt team. Playing in Boone is always a challenge. Playing in Boone in November is a bigger beast.

If Bob Chesney leads the Dukes to 7+ wins and a victory here, chances are the 2024 season will be viewed as a success by most fans.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications