The James Madison Dukes take on the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Louisville is favored by -13.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -550. The total is set at 55.5 points.
Here’s my James Madison vs. Louisville prediction and college football picks for Friday, September 5.
James Madison vs Louisville Prediction
- James Madison vs. Louisville Pick: Over 55.5 (Play to 57.5)
My Louisville vs. James Madison best bet is on the over. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
James Madison vs Louisville Odds
| James Madison Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -112 | 55.5 -112o / -108u | +410 |
| Louisville Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -108 | 55.5 -112o / -108u | -550 |
- James Madison vs Louisville point spread: Louisville -13.5
- James Madison vs Louisville over/under: 55.5 points
- James Madison vs Louisville moneyline: James Madison +410, Louisville -550
James Madison vs Louisville Preview
James Madison Dukes Betting Preview: Rushing Attack is A+
The Dukes came into the season as the favorites to win the Sun Belt, and their Week 1 performance against Weber State gave their conference foes a preview of what to expect.
James Madison was highly efficient on the ground, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and totaling 313 rushing yards. The Dukes' rushing attack had a bevy of ball carriers, including three running backs and two quarterbacks.
Their scheme poses a challenge for any defense, as starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III is also proficient through the air, having thrown for nearly 2,600 yards and 26 touchdown passes last season.
The JMU offense is experienced and primed to challenge a Louisville defense that still needs to gel after returning only a couple of starting linebackers.
Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview: Offense is Powerful
On the other side of this matchup, the Cardinals' offense also showed a ton of promise in their opening matchup. They routed Eastern Kentucky 51-17, displaying plenty of explosiveness on the ground and through the air.
Like the Dukes, it starts on the ground for the Cardinals, as Isaac Brown is already on pace for another 1,000-yard season. Brown's ability to pick up big chunks of yards opens up the field for Miller Moss, who averaged 8.9 yards per completion in Week 1.
We should see Moss continue to progress under Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who's regarded as a quarterback guru. Moss has an experienced receiving corps to throw to, and that group is going to create matchup problems for the Dukes' secondary.
Look for the Cardinals to pick up right where they left off in Week 1, as this team is going to force the issue offensively.
James Madison vs Louisville Pick, Betting Analysis
We saw this total quickly rise upon opening, but it's since encountered some resistance in the market, now settling just one point higher than the opening number.
However, I grabbed it at 54.5, and I'm willing to take the over up to 57.5.
There's still a lot unknown about both of these defenses, and both teams have proven to be efficient, explosive and experienced offensively.
Expect the scoreboard to light up often in this one.
Pick: Over 55.5 (Play to 57.5)
