James Madison Dukes (1-0) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (0-1)
As the early college football season unfolds, the upcoming battle between the James Madison Dukes (1-0) and the Virginia Cavaliers (0-1) is catching the eyes of many. Set to take place on September 10, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET at David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium and airing on ESPU, this contest is rife with opportunities for those hunting for college football betting analysis.
The Dukes have begun their season on an impressive note. Kaelon Black, their running back, has excelled with an astounding 125 rushing yards on 12 attempts averaging 10.4 yards per rush; his longest rush of 57 yards matches Reggie Brown’s longest reception of 77 yards and one touchdown; both boasting impressive 25.7 average reception distances.
The Cavaliers, despite a slow start to their season, possess several promising players. Running back Kobe Pace boasts an impressive average rush attempt efficiency rating of 5.6 yards for 39 total rush yards; wide receiver Malachi Fields holds promise as his 4 receptions totaling 63 yards average 15.8 yards per reception while his longest catch reached 30 yards.
James Madison Dukes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium |
| TV: | ESPU |
| Stream | SofaScore |
Jordan McCloud QB vs. Tony Muskett QB
James Madison’s Jordan McCloud has shown remarkable promise in the season’s opening game, posting an outstanding completion percentage of 63.6%, which displays accuracy and decision-making skills. His passer rating of 233.6 is more impressive, which considers all aspects of his performance, such as touchdown passes compared to interceptions, thus showing his efficiency under pressure situations. Another notable statistic for McCloud is his 13.1 yards per pass attempt, indicating efficiency and aggressiveness on offense. His longest pass has covered 57 yards, thus requiring defenses to respect his ability to stretch the field.
Tony Muskett of the Virginia Cavaliers presents an exciting contrast to McCloud. Muskett’s completion percentage of 52.9% points towards some struggles in accuracy or possibly cautious play-calling; additionally, his passer rating of 99.4 signifies less efficacy overall in terms of offensive output. Muskett has yet to score a touchdown this season, which places additional strain on Virginia’s running game and defense. Furthermore, he’s been sacked four times, losing 22 yards each time, raising questions about Virginia’s offensive line while drawing attention to Muskett’s difficulty reading defensive schemes and making quick decisions.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: James Madison Dukes -285, Total Odds: 43
For the bettors, James Madison is favored with a spread of -7 and a moneyline of -285, while Virginia trails with a spread of +7 and a moneyline of +240. The over-under is set at 43, indicating expectations for a moderate-scoring affair.
James Madison Dukes Betting Trends
The Dukes’ betting trends are a mixed bag. They are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games but have shown improvements recently with a 4-1 SU in their last 5 games. On the road, they’ve performed commendably, standing 6-2 ATS. Their record against ACC teams, however, is concerning at 1-8 SU. Yet, their September record remains strong at 5-1 ATS.
Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends
The Cavaliers present a more concerning trend for bettors. With a 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games and a 1-7 SU in their recent 8, the odds seem stacked against them. Their home record is also not in their favor at 1-4 SU. The only positive is that the total tends to go UNDER in most of their recent games.
James Madison Dukes vs. Virginia Cavaliers 9/9/23 Betting Picks
Drawing from the college football betting insights and the provided data, the James Madison Dukes appear to be the safer pick, especially given McCloud’s quarterback performance. However, the Cavaliers, playing at home, might provide some resistance, and the total going UNDER seems to be a recurring theme in their games. A prudent strategy might be to pick James Madison to win, but perhaps Virginia to cover the spread, anticipating a close contest.
Free Pick and Prediction: James Madison Dukes will win 24-20
