The Dukes face some big hazards when they come to Autzen Stadium Saturday night, beginning with a loud, passionate, fired-up crowd.
It'd be hard enough if it stopped there, but Oregon is an opponent blessed with six five-stars, four first-round draft picks and two Power Four All-Americans, players like 6-3, 330 A'Mauri Washington anchoring the middle.
James Madison dominated in the Sun Belt Conference this season with a 12-1 record and a stifling defense. They limited opponents to 2.48 yards per game while piling up 86 tackles for loss and 36 sacks. They pressured the quarterback and clamped down in the middle.
Dominating the Group of 5 hasn't adequately prepared JMU for Autzen Stadium
Trouble is, Bob Chesney's 12th-seeded JMU squad hasn't faced a team that ranked higher than 50 in the FBS. They lost to Louisville 28-14 and struggled to beat Washington State in Harrisonburg 24-20.
The Ducks are a long, long way up from anyone they've faced this season, though a year ago they beat North Carolina in Chapel Hill 70-50 in one of the wildest games of the season.
Take a look at the roster talent comparison between JMU and Oregon ahead of their CFP matchup 👀📝
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 18, 2025
Can James Madison prove themselves vs the Ducks? 🌟 pic.twitter.com/ES6iKgb95R
When they come to Autzen Stadium Saturday, 4:30 p.m. PT on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, they'll face a lineup that is bigger, stronger and faster in every matchup on field. They'll counter with a potent mix of RPOs and Zone-Read plays on offense featuring dual threat quarterback Alonzo Barnett III and running back Wayne Knight, but provided the Ducks are disciplined and focused, this game should be the blowout oddsmakers have predicted.
Head coach Bob Chesney and his team understand the assignment. "We're excited to get out there, to have a chance to play one of the best teams in the country, and we certainly understand the opportunity and the excitement around it," he said.
The trickiest variable remains the weather. The atmospheric river that has surged through Oregon makes gametime conditions uncertain. Currently the forecast calls for evening temperatures around 40 degrees with a 25 percent chance of rain and winds from the southeast 6-7 mph. That could suppress scoring and make turnovers and play in the trenches more important.
Prediction: Oregon 31, James Madison 14