Fresh off a bye week, JMU football faces arguably its toughest test of the 2024 season. The Dukes hit the road to face North Carolina, an ACC team with five consecutive bowl appearances. 

The Tar Heels (3-0) and Dukes (2-0) are both undefeated entering Saturday’s noon showdown, and UNC is a 10-point betting favorite. JMU has a solid recent history against ACC teams, though, defeating UVA in 2023 and hanging tough in recent games with Louisville (2022) and N.C. State (2018). North Carolina’s team more closely resembles N.C. State and Louisville, as the Tar Heels are well on their way to bowl eligibility. UVA struggled in 2023, falling well short of a bowl game in part due to its home loss to the Dukes.

What Channel is JMU-UNC on?

TV Channel: ACC Network

For the first time in JMU football’s program history, the Dukes will play on the ACC Network. Jorge Sedano is the play-by-play broadcaster, Orlando Franklin is the analyst, and Morgan Uber will handle sideline reporting.

Radio Details

The game can be found on the radio at WSVA 550 AM or 92.1 FM. The radio broadcast is also available online at WSVAonline.com or via The Varsity Network app.

Dave Riggert will work as the play-by-play voice, with former JMU quarterback Cole Johnson as the analyst.

JMU vs. UNC Start Time

Date: Sept. 21
Kickoff time: Noon ET

The matchup will kick off at noon ET in Kenan Memorial Stadium. It’s JMU’s first noon kickoff since playing Georgia Southern at noon on Oct. 14 last season. The Dukes won that game 41-13 at home.

JMU vs. UNC Betting Odds

North Carolina is roughly a 10-point betting favorite across most betting apps.

The spread: JMU +10.5 on DraftKings
The total: 48 points
The moneyline: UNC -425, JMU +330

JMU is 1-1 against the spread this season, covering the spread easily against Charlotte but coming nowhere close to covering against Gardner-Webb. The Dukes beat Charlotte by 23 despite only being about a 7-point favorite. They were a five-touchdown favorite against Gardner-Webb, but only won by seven points.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications