Washington State Cougars vs James Madison Dukes Prediction - 11/22/2025
Updated July 9, 2026
On Saturday, the Washington State Cougars (5‑5) travel across the country to face the James Madison Dukes (9‑1) in a high-stakes nonconference matchup. JMU is among the nation’s best and is playing to boost its ranking for a potential College Football Playoff spot. Washington State is fighting for bowl eligibility with a win here. Before this game kicks off, you can find my Washington State vs James Madison prediction here.
Pick: James Madison -13.5
Confidence: ★★★★☆
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James Madison comes into this game with a 9‑1 record and they are heavy favorites to get to 10 wins on the season here. Their offense is averaging over 457 yards per game, ranking among the FBS’ most productive units. Washington State is 5‑5 and has struggled to consistently move the ball, particularly on the ground. The Cougars have won two of their last three games and are a win away from bowl eligibility.
This is an interesting game from a motivational standpoint. James Madison can't help itself in the race to win the Sun Belt Conference in this non-conference matchup. But a loss here would knock them out of the top 25 and make it tough for them to reach the College Football Playoff if they were to win their conference championship.
Zevi Eckhaus leads the passing attack for Washington State. He’s thrown for 1,392 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He’s also a threat on the ground, rushing for 248 yards and 6 touchdowns. Backup Jaxon Potter has contributed, but has also turned the ball over when he's taken the field.
JMU's Alonza Barnett III leads a dangerous offense for the Dukes. He’s thrown for over 2,000 yards, adding 16 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions. His ability to efficiently manage the game, paired with a powerful rushing attack led by Wayne Knight, gives the Dukes a multi-dimensional offense that's hard to shut down.
Score Projection: James Madison 34 – Washington State 17
Win Probability: James Madison 83%, Washington State 17%
The Dukes’ offensive output and disciplined defense give them an edge not just to win, but to cover the double-digit spread. Washington State can make things interesting, especially if Eckhaus finds his groove, but protecting the ball and generating consistent offense remain question marks for the Cougars. I am going to lay the points with James Madison, as they should remain in the top 25 after this week is done.
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