In the spring 2020 season, JMU football’s first four games came against Morehead State, Robert Morris, Elon, and William & Mary. The Dukes’ first four opponents in 2025? Weber State, Louisville, Liberty, and Georgia Southern. 

Ahh, the perks of moving to the FBS. 

JMU’s 2025 schedule doesn’t let up once the calendar flips to October, either. The Dukes face the top two projected Sun Belt West teams (Louisiana and Texas State) in October. As for November, the slate includes three bitter rivals (Marshall, App State, and Coastal Carolina) as well as Washington State. On paper, it’s the toughest regular season schedule in program history.

So which games are the hardest? Here’s how I’d rank JMU’s schedule from least difficult to most difficult. 

12. Weber State, Aug. 30

A likely unranked FCS opponent is by far the easiest team on JMU’s 2025 schedule. The teams have a history, but the Wildcats have gone 10-13 in two seasons since Jay Hill’s departure. This isn’t the same program it was a few years ago, and JMU should win big at home.

11. at Georgia State, Oct. 4

Dell McGee may one day get this team to the top of the conference. He’s a skilled coach and a gifted recruiter with a plan to build the Panthers into an East threat. I think he’s still a year or two away from reaching that goal, especially at quarterback. Receiver Ted Hurst Jr. is a star, though, and he’ll test the Dukes’ secondary.

This game could sneak up on JMU as a trap game in early October, but the Dukes are superior at almost every position.

10. at Marshall, Nov. 8

Like App State, there’s a ton of turnover with the roster and coaching staff after winning the league title in 2024. Playing at Marshall won’t be easy, but coming off a bye week helps.

The Thundering Herd will have a new quarterback — among many other changes — and I have doubts about the program firing on all cylinders in Year 1. Never count out programs like Marshall and App State, but the massive roster changes have me questioning Marshall’s firepower in 2025.

9. at Coastal Carolina, Nov. 29

Meh. That’s my opinion of Coastal Carolina in the Tim Beck era. The Chanticleers aren’t abysmal, but their 14-12 record under Beck leaves a lot to be desired.

I like the transfer additions at QB (MJ Morris and Emmett Brown), but are they better than Ethan Vasko? The defense has potential thanks to a few key returners and a good transfer haul, but I need to see it to believe it from Beck. Otherwise, a 6-6 type of record feels like a realistic ending. JMU has the better team.

8. App State, Nov. 15

App State is always tough, but the level of turnover makes the Mountaineers a question mark. The game is in Harrisonburg in November, which should draw a raucous crowd. This game could be scary if the Mountaineers gel in Year 1 under Dowell Loggains, but the lack of roster continuity should lead to growing pains.

It’s a great year for the Dukes to take care of business against App State, which has the Dukes’ number in recent seasons and in men’s basketball.

7. at Texas State, Oct. 28

G.J. Kinne can coach, especially on the offensive end, and playing a road Tuesday game presents challenges. But do the Bobcats have enough defense to contend in the Sun Belt?

ESPN’s SP+ projects Texas State at 112th in defensive efficiency. For comparison, JMU is projected at 52nd nationally. The Dukes are the more complete team, although Texas State’s offensive firepower should make the Bobcats dangerous. If the defense shows signs of being a top-75 unit nationally, Texas State should threaten to win the West.

6. Georgia Southern, Sept. 27

The Eagles should be a Sun Belt East contender, as they bring back coaching continuity under Clay Helton. Quarterback JC French returns, and the Eagles should be solid in the trenches. There’s a lot to like on paper.

I’d have this game tougher, but Helton is 13-5 at home and 7-14 in games on the road or at neutral sites in three seasons leading Georgia Southern. Curt Cignetti and the Dukes were upset in Statesboro in 2022 before a blowout home win in 2023. Bob Chesney and the Dukes lost in Statesboro in 2024, but they’ll be better prepared for the Eagles in 2025 at home. A potential downside for JMU is an emotional hangover after playing at Liberty the week prior.

5. Louisiana, Oct. 11

The Sun Belt West favorite, Louisiana visits Harrisonburg on Oct. 11. The Ragin’ Cajuns should be solid on both lines, and the running back room includes Zylan Perry and Bill Davis (nearly 1,500 combined rushing yards and 13 TDs in 2024).

This program has been to seven straight bowl games. At this point, it’s expected that Louisiana will be a good team. There’s no reason to believe otherwise in 2025, and a soft nonconference schedule means 10 wins is a possibility again this fall.

4. Old Dominion, Oct. 18

Call me crazy, but I’m really high on the Monarchs. Colton Joseph is a dual-threat QB, and Ricky Rahne’s team came dangerously close to upsetting the Dukes in 2023 and 2024 (both games were one-possession JMU wins).

With standout linebacker Jason Henderson back and both the offensive and defensive lines expected to be decent, ODU could be ready for a breakout season under Rahne. The Monarchs have done well to keep games close in recent years, and the Dukes can’t overlook ODU in 2025.

3. Washington State, Nov. 22

The Cougars lost their coach, Jake Dickert, to Wake Forest. They also lost many of their best players, including QB John Mateer (Oklahoma), in the portal.

Still, bringing in South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers is a home-run hire. The 38-year-old led his FCS program to 27 wins and a national title in two seasons at the helm, and he brought more than a dozen Jackrabbits with him to Pulman.

The Cougars should be a bowl team that flirts with 8-10 wins, but the level of roster turnover suggests there could be some growing pains. Facing Washington State at home helps, but with the game in late November, the Cougars should know their identity under Rogers. This could be massive for JMU’s playoff dreams.

2. at Liberty, Sept. 20

Is this a real rivalry or an online beef? It’s tough to say, given the lack of recent matchups (last meeting was the 2014 FCS playoffs, a Liberty win), but these fanbases don’t like each other.

Both teams believe they’re legitimate College Football Playoff threats, but the loser will have a tough time making the field. It’s as close to a playoff elimination game as you can have when two G5 teams meet in September.

If JMU wants to be the top team in Virginia and one of the best in the Group of Five, the Dukes need to walk into Lynchburg and win.

The Flames are expected to start Ethan Vasko (Coastal Carolina transfer) at QB. They’re good at every position and clearly the best of the best (on paper) in CUSA. Will Liberty’s defense, which struggled at times last season, be improved in 2025? If it is, look out.

1. at Louisville, Sept. 5

This is an easy pick at No. 1. Louisville is the only true P4 on the schedule (sorry, Washington State), and the Cardinals have one of the better rosters in the ACC.

Quarterback Miller Moss (USC) was a prized transfer recruit, and running back Isaac Brown is legitimately one of the best in the country. Of JMU’s opponents, Louisville might be the only team with a better running back room. Wide receiver Caullin Lacy (former South Alabama star) leads a dangerous group.

The defense should be stout, although Louisville’s offense seems like it’ll be a little more productive than the defense. Still, Louisville doesn’t have clear weaknesses. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if this team makes the College Football Playoff out of the ACC. At the very least, Louisville will be a tough out and a sure-fire bowl team in a P4 league.

JMU beat Virginia and UNC in the past two seasons, but this Louisville team is a cut above those squads.

This game comes on the road in Week 2, with the Friday night game earning a spot on ESPN2. A win catapults JMU into the College Football Playoff race. A competitive loss keeps the Dukes in the picture, too.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications