Southern Mississippi vs James Madison Picks and Prediction – 10/26/2024

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles will face off against the James Madison Dukes on October 26, 2024, at Bridgeforth Stadium. Get in on the action with our free NCAAF picks.

This Sun Belt Conference matchup holds significant weight, especially for James Madison, who is having an outstanding season at 5-2 and looks to further solidify their place atop the standings. Southern Miss, on the other hand, has struggled to a 1-6 record and will be hoping for a major upset to turn their season around.

James Madison's offense has been impressive, with quarterback Alonza Barnett leading the way. Barnett has thrown for 1,658 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, helping JMU average 32 points per game. The Dukes also have a solid ground game, with running back George Pettaway contributing 450 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns through Week 7. On defense, James Madison has been equally strong, allowing just 19.4 points per game, ranking among the top in the Sun Belt​.

Southern Miss, meanwhile, has had a rough season offensively, averaging only 16.7 points per game. Quarterback Ethan Crawford has struggled, throwing for 594 yards but with an inconsistent performance marked by interceptions. Crawford has only been a threat on the ground, with 3 rushing TD's. Defensively, Southern Miss has allowed 32.5 points per game, which puts them at a disadvantage against a high-powered James Madison offense.

Given James Madison’s balanced offense and stout defense, the Dukes are heavily favored to win this matchup. Expect them to secure a comfortable victory. Final Score Prediction, we like JMU to roll and win this one and cover as Southern Miss continues to struggle on both sides of the ball en route to a loss 38-13.