James Madison Dukes vs. Georgia Southern Eagles Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 7

The James Madison Dukes (5-0) play on Saturday at 12:00 PM ET against the Georgia Southern Eagles (4-1) at Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field.

The Dukes are favored, but by less than a touchdown (-5.5), versus the Eagles. The over/under for this matchup is 60 points.

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Game Info for James Madison vs. Georgia Southern

• Game Day: Saturday, October 14, 2023
• Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: ESPN2
• Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Stadium: Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field

James Madison Pick Insights

• James Madison’s ATS record is 3-2-0 this season.
• James Madison has a 1-2 record against the spread in games it was favored by 5.5 points or more this season.
• The teams have hit the over in three of James Madison’s five games with a set total.

James Madison Stats & Insights

• James Madison is averaging 402 yards per game on offense, which ranks 61st in the FBS. On the other side of the ball, the Dukes rank 49th, giving up 349.8 yards per game.
• James Madison is averaging 33.2 points per game offensively this season (40th in the FBS), and is allowing 22.6 points per game (49th) on the defensive side of the ball.
• James Madison owns the 66th-ranked passing offense this year (241.6 passing yards per game), and has been worse on the other side of the ball, ranking fifth-worst with 311.2 passing yards allowed per game.
• James Madison ranks 60th in rushing yards this season (160.4 rushing yards per game), but has been thriving on the other side of the ball, ranking best in the FBS with 38.6 rushing yards allowed per game.
• James Madison has struggled on third down, ranking fifth-worst in the FBS (27.9%) this season. However, the defense ranks ninth-best defensively, allowing a 27.5% third-down conversion rate.
• James Madison owns the 53rd-ranked turnover margin in college football at +1, forcing eight turnovers (58th in the FBS) while turning it over seven times (47th in the FBS).

James Madison’s Best Players

• Jordan McCloud has thrown for 1,173 yards (234.6 ypg) to lead James Madison, completing 64.5% of his passes and collecting 11 touchdown passes compared to three interceptions this season. He’s also contributed in the ground game with 108 rushing yards on 35 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
• Kaelon Black has carried the ball 73 times for a team-high 365 yards on the ground. He’s also tacked on 13 catches for 106 yards (21.2 per game) and one touchdown via the pass.
• Ty Son Lawton has carried the ball 43 times for 209 yards (41.8 per game) and three touchdowns.
• Reggie Brown’s 373 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 33 times and has totaled 16 catches and three touchdowns.
• Elijah Sarratt has caught 19 passes for 280 yards (56 yards per game) and two touchdowns this year.
• Zach Horton has been the target of 11 passes and racked up six grabs for 143 yards, an average of 28.6 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone two times through the air this season.
• Jalen Green has 6.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has seven TFL, 19 tackles, and one interception.
• Aiden Fisher is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s totaled 33 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and one interception.
• Francis Meehan has a team-leading two interceptions to go along with 10 tackles and two passes defended.

Georgia Southern Betting Insights

• Georgia Southern is 3-1-0 against the spread this season.
• Georgia Southern has not yet covered the spread as underdogs of 5.5 points or more this season (0-1).
• Georgia Southern has gone over in one of four games with a set total (25%).

Georgia Southern Pick Insights

• Georgia Southern’s offense has been excelling, racking up 471.6 total yards per game (18th-best) this season. On defense, it ranks 59th by surrendering 360.4 total yards per game.
• Georgia Southern ranks 27th in the FBS with 35 points per contest on offense, and it ranks 36th with 20.2 points allowed per contest on the defensive side of the ball.
• Georgia Southern’s pass defense ranks 61st in the FBS with 220.4 passing yards allowed per contest, but it has been bolstered by its offense, which ranks ninth-best by generating 337 passing yards per game.
• From an offensive angle, Georgia Southern is putting up 134.6 rushing yards per contest (93rd-ranked). It ranks 73rd in the FBS on defense (140 rushing yards given up per game).
• Things have been positive for Georgia Southern on both offense and defense on third down, as it is putting up a 50% third-down conversion percentage (15th-best) and surrendering a 30.8% third-down rate (17th-best).
• At 0, Georgia Southern has the 64th-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with 10 forced turnovers (26th in the FBS) and 10 turnovers committed (91st in the FBS).

Georgia Southern’s Best Players

• Davis Brin has put up 1,611 passing yards, or 322.2 per game, so far this season. He has completed 69.7% of his passes and has thrown 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
• The team’s top rusher, OJ Arnold, has carried the ball 36 times for 269 yards (53.8 per game) with three touchdowns.
• Jalen White has piled up 261 yards (on 45 carries) with three touchdowns.
• Khaleb Hood’s 414 receiving yards (82.8 yards per game) lead the team. He has 39 catches on 55 targets with three touchdowns.
• Derwin Burgess Jr. has put up a 371-yard season so far with three touchdowns. He’s caught 36 passes on 49 targets.
• Dalen Cobb’s 21 catches (on 27 targets) have netted him 221 yards (44.2 ypg).
• Isaac Walker paces the team with two sacks, and also has five tackles.
• Georgia Southern’s top-tackler, Marques Watson-Trent, has 15 tackles, one TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one interception this year.
• Khadry Jackson has a team-high one interception to go along with nine tackles, one TFL, one sack, and one pass defended.