JMU football is one win away from completing an undefeated mark in Sun Belt regular-season games for the first time in program history. The Dukes (10-1, 7-0 SBC) face Coastal Carolina (6-5, 5-2 SBC) on Saturday. A win completes one of the best regular seasons in program history. 

How to watch

Kickoff time: 3:45 p.m. ET

TV: ESPNU with Justin Kutcher handling play-by-play duties and Rene Ignoglia working as the analyst.

Weather: The forecasted high temperature is 50 degrees, as it should be fairly chilly. It’s supposed to be sunny without much wind, though. Decent weather day in Conway.

Opponent preview: Coastal Carolina

Record: 6-5, 5-2 SBC

Coach: Tim Beck, 20-17

Top players

Thomas Johnson, C: Coastal’s offensive line is solid, including the Chanticleers’ center (76.3 PFF grade). Saturday provides a good test for the Dukes’ defensive front.

Zeke Campbell, DE: Campbell has 7.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks at the edge position. The Chanticleers are solid on the offensive line, and their edge rushers are nice, too. It’s a decently built team in the trenches.

Key to the Game: Finish the job

JMU is a 3-touchdown favorite in this game. The Dukes will be a double-digit favorite in the Sun Belt Championship, too. If JMU shows up and plays a decent football game in each of the next two weeks, the Dukes will finish 12-1. 

Saturday’s game is largely about staying focused and avoiding a road upset. Coastal Carolina has one of the worst rushing defenses in the country, and the Dukes have a dynamic rushing attack with Wayne Knight, Jobi Malary, and George Pettaway at running back and multiple runners at quarterback. Alonza Barnett is playing the best football of his career. Oh, and JMU’s defense is the best in the conference and maybe the entire Group of Five.

JMU should win this game in blowout fashion, IF it is fully focused on this game and not looking ahead. That goes for players and the coaches who could soon leave for P4 jobs. 

Score prediction

JMU has a history of blowing out Coastal Carolina. That’s not changing this weekend, especially with Coastal Carolina starting QB Samari Collier out.

The pick: JMU 48, Coastal Carolina 13

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications