The James Madison University Dukes (4-0, 2-0 SBC), one of the Sun Belt Conference’s top rushing offenses, head to face the Arkansas State University Red Wolves (2-3, 1-1 SBC), one of the conference’s softest ground defenses, at Centennial Bank Stadium on Saturday. The Dukes are 11.5-point favorites, and the total is 55.5. James Madison is coming off an impressive 40-13 win over Texas State at Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium last Saturday, their fourth straight victory. Todd Centeio was 15 of 25 for 257 yards and an interception. Latrele Palmer ran 27 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Kris Thornton caught four passes for 97 yards. Arkansas State beat Louisiana-Monroe 45-28 at Centennial Bank Stadium last Saturday. James Blackman threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Brian Snead carried 17 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Seydou Traore caught four receptions for 62 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Dukes are averaging 44.8 points per game so far this season, eighth in FBS, and they are facing a Red Wolves defense that has surrendered 29.8 PPG (95th). Meanwhile, Arkansas State has scored 34.6 points a game this season, 43rd in the nation, and James Madison is allowing 13.8 PPG (9th). The Dukes rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (216.3, 18th), while they are 70th in passing yards (245.0). The Red Wolves are 83rd in passing yards allowed per game (239.8) and 46th against the run (121.6).Arkansas State is 56th in the country in passing yards per game (254.0) and 87th in rushing (140.0). James Madison’s defense is likely to prove challenging on both fronts, as the Dukes are 15th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (171.3) and No. 1 against the run (47.5).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, Todd Centeio has thrown for 11 touchdowns (1 INT) and 229.5 yards per game to lead James Madison in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had two TDs and 209 yards passing. Todd Centeio also leads the team in rushing with an average of 63.0 yards per game. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Kris Thornton is the Dukes’ leading receiver with 85.8 yards a game and five TDs. James Blackman has seven passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 242.4 yards per game through five games to lead Arkansas State. In two home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs and an average of 232.0 yards. Johnnie Lang has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 53.0 yards a game through five games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, accumulating 30.8 yards a game through the air. He has four total touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving. Seydou Traore has been the primary target in the Red Wolves’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 58.6 yard per game average through five appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
James Madison (-400)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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