James Madison had a fairytale start to life in the Sun Belt in 2023, with an 11-1 maiden and becoming bowl-eligible after a long fight with the NCAA.
The Dukes will be hoping to repeat their remarkable season in 2024, which will see an expanded college football playoff. What does their schedule look like?
JMU 2024 Football Schedule
- at Charlotte 49ers
Saturday, August 31. Time TBA - vs. Gardner Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Saturday, September 7. Time TBA - at North Carolina Tar Heels
Saturday, September 21. Time TBA - vs. Ball State Cardinals
Saturday, September 28. Time TBA
** The Sun Belt Conference does not announce its schedule until the Spring of each year**
So far, we only know the nonconference opponents that James Madison will face in 2024. That does include a huge match-up on Sept. 21.
After their dream 2023 season, JMU has set expectations high heading into 2024. Their non-conference opponents give some favorable matchups that they will be expected to win.
To start, JMU has a relatively easy schedule, with the Dukes opening up their season on the road in Charlotte. Their last meeting was in 2014 when JMU won a points frenzy 48-40. JMU will be hoping that their 2024 encounter will go a lot more smoothly.
Their first home game will be against Gardner Webb, where JMU will surely have the opportunity to put up points.
JMU will be hoping to come through their opening two games healthy and 2-0, before a barn burner against North Carolina.
MORE: James Madison Becomes Bowl Eligible for First Time in School History
The road game in Chapel Hill against the Tar Heels could be the most difficult game that JMU plays all year. JMU has never beaten UNC in their three meetings.
However, UNC will likely be without star quarterback, Drake Maye, who looks destined to be a top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That leaves some unknown as to what UNC will look like in 2024. JMU knows, however, that traveling to UNC is a difficult task. The last time the Dukes met the Tar Heels was in 2016 when UNC won 56-28.
The Dukes will follow that up with a home game against Ball State. That’s another game that JMU will expect to win. The only time the Dukes and the Cardinals have met was in 1997 when Ball State defeated JMU 24-6.