No. 25 James Madison clinches first Sun Belt title, has real chance to make College Football Playoff this weekend

No. 25 James Madison clinched its inaugural Sun Belt championship Friday night, holding off Troy 31-14 despite turnovers, penalties, and missed third downs. This victory positions the Dukes with a legitimate chance to reach the College Football Playoff.

The game, played in chilly Harrisonburg, Virginia, with about 1.5 inches of snow on the ground, featured the conference player of the year delivering the decisive touchdown. With under five minutes remaining and JMU leading 17-14, quarterback Alonza Barnett III escaped three defenders on a keeper, reversing field and running 26 yards into the end zone.

Sun Belt Championship Recap

On Troy's next possession, JMU defensive lineman Sahir West forced a strip sack on backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease. Linebacker Drew Spinogatti recovered the ball and ran 22 yards for a touchdown, cementing the Dukes win. West recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Running back Wayne Knight rushed for 212 yards on 21 carries, including a 73-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Despite seven penalties and an early 0-for-7 performance on third downs, JMU's defense limited Troy to 177 total yards, repeatedly rescuing the team throughout the game.

With the Sun Belt title secured, attention turns to the ACC championship, where No. 17 Virginia faces unranked Duke. JMUs path to the College Football Playoff may depend on an upset, potentially making the Dukes one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.

Power conference champions do not have guaranteed spots in the 12-team CFP. Only the five highest-ranked conference champions earn automatic bids, including teams from the Group of Five. Last season, only Boise State advanced from the Group of Five as a 12-1 Mountain West champion.

This year, two Group of Five teams could be playoff contenders. No. 20 Tulane secured a spot after winning the American Conference title, and JMUs chances may hinge on Virginias result in the ACC championship. Duke, with a 7-5 record, is competing for the title, creating a potential opening for JMU.

Virginia has had inconsistencies this season, with narrow escapes and early losses in the ACC. Miami (No. 12) sits outside the conference title game with a 10-2 record, awaiting the CFP selection committees evaluation.

JMUs performance against Troy did not reflect the dominance they showed throughout the 2025 season. The Dukes went 11-1 in the regular season, their only loss a fourth-quarter defeat to Louisville, and finished 8-0 in Sun Belt play. Leading up to the championship, they defeated App State, Washington State, and Coastal Carolina by a combined 141-40.

JMU entered the title game leading the Sun Belt in points per game, rushing yards, third-down conversions, red zone efficiency, and defensive metrics. While the championship win was far from flawless, it preserved the Dukes chance at a playoff berth.

Author: Zoe Harrison