The James Madison Dukes have locked in their 2025 football schedule, featuring both manageable and challenging matches in the upcoming season. Coming off an 8-4 season in 2024 under first-year head coach Bob Chesney, the Dukes are all set to build on their ascending momentum in the FBS.
2025 James Madison Dukes Football Schedule
The James Madison Dukes’ 12-game schedule features four non-conference games and eight Sun Belt matchups. Here’s the full lineup, beginning with JMU’s season opener on August 30.
- Sat., Aug. 30: vs. Weber State
- Fri., Sept. 5: at Louisville
- Sat., Sept. 13: BYE WEEK
- Sat., Sept. 20: at Liberty
- Sat., Sept. 27: vs. Georgia Southern
- Sat., Oct. 4: at Georgia State
- Sat., Oct. 11: vs. Louisiana
- Sat., Oct. 18: vs. Old Dominion
- Sat., Oct. 25: BYE WEEK
- Tues., Oct. 28: at Texas State
- Sat., Nov. 8: at Marshall
- Sat., Nov. 15: vs. App State
- Sat., Nov. 22: vs. Washington State
- Sat., Nov. 29: at Coastal Carolina
Bold Italics Signify Sun Belt Conference Game
The Dukes open against Weber State at Bridgeforth Stadium, a winnable game to kick off the season. However, the early road tests against Louisville (September 5) and Liberty (September 20) will be challenging.
Then, four conference games, three of which will be at home, await the Dukes. Since entering the FBS, JMU has been successful — last season was their first since joining the Sun Belt to lose more than two conference games. But that was with former coach Curt Cignetti, who is now in Year 2 at Indiana.
Both Georgia schools are formidable, but certainly winnable for JMU. Louisiana, though, will look to build on their 2024 success that saw a 10-win season and a trip to the New Mexico Bowl.
The November 22 clash with the Pac-12’s Washington State Cougars at home marks a historic first, as JMU hosts a team from a Power Four-aligned conference.
If the Dukes can survive some early-season road tests, that should be on the right track to make a solid bowl game.
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However, a November stretch that includes Sun Belt Powers Marshall, App State, and Coastal Carolina could make or break their season. These three teams have been historic powers in the conference, so it almost seems like JMU’s 2025 slate is backloaded with big games.
2023 is still James Madison’s FBS season to beat. That year, the young program went 11-2, including a 10-0 start, would’ve made the Sun Belt Championship — if not for their transition from FCS — and made their first-ever bowl game.
The team has the tools this season, but it’ll be up to them to rewrite their history books yet again.
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