JMU football (4-1, 0-1 SBC) returns to action Thursday night at 7:30, hosting Coastal Carolina (4-1, 1-0 SBC) on ESPN2. It’s a huge game for Sun Belt East positioning, as a Coastal Carolina win would give the Chanticleers a two-game lead over JMU and the head-to-head tiebreaker. A JMU win would put the Dukes back in the mix to win the division.

Just like they’ve been in every Group of Five game this season, the Dukes are the betting favorite. They’re 3-2 against the spread this season, including a 2-1 mark ATS against Group of Five competition. JMU lost to ULM last week as a double-digit favorite.

The Betting Odds

Spread: JMU -9.5

Total: 60.5 points

Moneylines: JMU -345, Coastal Carolina +270

The Dukes are more than a touchdown favorite, and they’ve fared exceptionally well the last two seasons against the Chanticleers. They beat Coastal Carolina 47-7 in 2022, as the Dukes then claimed the “Kings of the East” moniker in their final game of the season. JMU smashed Coastal again in 2024, winning 56-14 on the road.

This season, it should be a more competitive battle. The Chanticleers are explosive offensively, and their only loss is to a 4-1 UVA team. Coastal Carolina leans heavily on quarterback Ethan Vasko, who can throw and pass and does well to avoid taking sacks and throwing interceptions.

Coastal Carolina’s rushing defense is an issue. The Chanticleers allowed nearly 400 rushing yards to UVA, and ODU went over 200 rushing yards last week in a 37-point performance. If Coastal Carolina beats JMU, it’ll likely need to be a shootout.

Picks and predictions

I’d lean toward the over in this game, which sits just over 60 points. JMU averages a Sun Belt-best 39 points per game, while Coastal Carolina is averaging 38.4 per game. The two teams are the highest-scoring offenses in the SBC.

These offenses are also at their best when hitting explosive plays. Coastal Carolina ranks fourth nationally with eight passing plays of 40+ yards this season, and JMU ranks 19th with six passes of 40+ yards. Each of these teams can move the ball quickly, scoring rapidly. I’m not that bullish on any bets for this game, but I’ll take the over, especially with perfect weather in Harrisonburg on Thursday.

I’m staying away from the spread, as JMU has looked inconsistent throughout the season. The Dukes at their best can easily cover the 9.5 number, but if they perform below their best, a loss is in play. It’s hard to get a feel for how these teams will play on a Thursday, but I do think each team will find ways to fill up the scoreboard in this short week of preparation. 

The pick: Over 60.5

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications