The upcoming Sun Belt conference matchup between the James Madison Dukes and the UL Monroe Warhawks features two teams trending in different directions. James Madison has dominated in their first four games, boasting an 87% chance of victory according to advanced predictive models. The Dukes have been particularly effective on both sides of the ball, scoring 44 points per game while holding opponents to just 17.5. This balanced performance has made them a formidable opponent in the conference. UL Monroe, on the other hand, enters with a respectable 3-1 record but faces a daunting challenge against one of the Sun Belt’s elite teams.

The Warhawks’ offense has struggled to maintain consistency, averaging only 250 total yards per game. This lack of production will be a significant issue against a James Madison defense that thrives on forcing turnovers and limiting explosive plays. The Warhawks will need quarterback Chandler Rogers to play his best game of the season to have a chance of pulling off the upset. The key for James Madison will be establishing their dominant run game early. The Dukes are averaging 223.5 rushing yards per game, led by their dynamic backfield, which will look to exploit a Warhawks defense allowing 176.5 rushing yards per game. If the Dukes can control the line of scrimmage and open up play-action opportunities, this game could get out of hand quickly.