College football Power Four title picks and top Group of Five contender
Before the Snap looks at who’s poised to win the Power Four leagues and which Group of Five program could emerge as the top contender.
James Madison enters the Sun Belt championship game with College Football Playoff aspirations on the line.
However, to set up that possibility on Selection Sunday, the Dukes first will need to get past Troy, winners of two of the last three Sun Belt championships.
The 19th-ranked Dukes (No. 25 in CFP rankings) and the Trojans are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 5 from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Watch the Sun Belt championship game on Fubo (free trial)
James Madison is making its first appearance in the Sun Belt championship game, despite winning the Sun Belt East Division in 2022 and 2023 under former coach Curt Cignetti. The Dukes were ineligible for the title game because they moved up to Division I FBS football.
Leading the way for Bob Chesney — who is expected to be officially named the next head coach at UCLA — is quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who surpassed the 5,000 passing yard mark last week vs. Coastal Carolina. James Madison also ranks in the top 10 of numerous defensive categories, including total yards (ranked fifth, 253.5 yards per game), first downs defenses (ranked fifth, 14.2 per game) and scoring defense (ranked 10th, 16.0 points per game).
Troy won the Sun Belt West Division for the third time in the last four years with a 6-2 conference record. The Trojans’ offense has been clicking the last two games with the return of quarterback Goose Crowder, while their defense holds the 12th-best touchdown rate in the red zone at 47.6% on the season.
USA TODAY is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along:
James Madison vs Troy score
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James Madison vs Troy live updates
This section will be updated.
What time does James Madison vs Troy start?
- Date: Friday, Dec. 5
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Bridgeforth Stadium (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
James Madison and Troy will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 5 from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
What TV channel is James Madison vs Troy on today?
The Sun Belt championship game between James Madison and Troy will be broadcast on ESPN. Anish Shroff and Andre Ware will have the call from the booth, while Paul Carcaterra will report from the sidelines.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries ESPN and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream the Sun Belt championship game live with Fubo (free trial)
James Madison vs Troy predictions
Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY Sports: James Madison 35, Troy 10
“You’re not getting off the hook that easy, CFP committee. Although the American Conference has been the belle of the ball this season, the Dukes have made a compelling argument to represent the non-Power Four teams in the playoffs. This game does not curb their case, as James Madison does what it’s done all season: Dispatch teams it is simply better than.”
Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Sports: James Madison 35, Troy 13
“Welcome to the CFP, James Madison. The Dukes have little trouble in a dominant win over Troy to earn a CFP berth as the highest-ranked Group of Five conference team. James Madison runs over Troy early and leaves no doubt for the CFP committee to put them in the 12-team playoff.”
James Madison football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at James Madison’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
- Saturday, Aug. 30: James Madison 45, Weber State 10
- Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
- Friday, Sept. 13: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 20: James Madison 31, Liberty 13
- Saturday, Sept. 27: James Madison 35, Georgia Southern 10 *
- Saturday, Oct. 4: James Madison 14, Georgia State 7 *
- Saturday, Oct. 11: James Madison 24, Louisiana 14 *
- Saturday, Oct. 18: James Madison 63, Old Dominion 27 *
- Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
- Tuesday, Oct. 28: James Madison 52, Texas State 20 *
- Saturday, Nov. 8: James Madison 35, Marshall 23 *
- Saturday, Nov. 15: James Madison 58, Appalachian State 10 *
- Saturday, Nov. 22: James Madison 24, Washington State 20
- Saturday, Nov. 29: James Madison 59, Coastal Carolina 10 *
- Friday, Dec. 5: vs. Troy | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) **
* Denotes Sun Belt game
** Denotes Sun Belt championship game
Troy football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Troy’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Troy 38, Nicholls 20
- Saturday, Sept. 6: Clemson 27, Troy 16
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Memphis 28, Troy 7
- Saturday, Sept. 20: Troy 21, Buffalo 17
- Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 4: Troy 31, South Alabama 24 (OT) *
- Saturday, Oct. 11: Troy 48, Texas State 41 (OT) *
- Saturday, Oct. 18: Troy 37, Louisiana-Monroe 14 *
- Saturday, Oct. 25: Troy 35, Louisiana 23 *
- Saturday, Nov. 1: Arkansas State 23, Troy 10 *
- Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
- Thursday, Nov. 13: Old Dominion 33, Troy 0 *
- Saturday, Nov. 22: Troy 31, Georgia State 19 *
- Saturday, Nov. 29: Troy 28, Southern Miss 18 *
- Friday, Dec. 5: vs. No. 19 James Madison | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) **
* – denotes Sun Belt game
** – denotes Sun Belt championship game
