The Old Dominion University Monarchs (3-6, 2-3 SBC) welcome the James Madison University Dukes (5-3, 3-2 SBC) at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits one of the Sun Belt Conference’s best rush defenses against one of its top ground offenses.
The Dukes are 7.5-point favorites, and the total is 46.5. James Madison is coming off a tough 34-10 loss to Louisville at Cardinal Stadium last Saturday, their third straight defeat. Todd Centeio was 4 of 15 for 52 yards. Percy Agyei-Obese ran 24 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Kaelon Black caught two passes for 27 yards.
Old Dominion dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 12-0 to Marshall at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Hayden Wolff threw for 198 yards and an interception. Blake Watson carried 10 times for 28 yards and added five catches for 36 yards. Javon Harvey caught four receptions for 60 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Dukes are averaging 35.1 points per game for the season, third in the SBC, and they are facing a Monarchs defense that has surrendered 25.3 PPG (8th). Meanwhile, Old Dominion has scored 21.9 points a game this season, worst in the conference, and James Madison is allowing 22.5 PPG (5th).
The Dukes rank 46th in the country in passing yards per game (257.3) and 39th in rushing (187.5). They have an advantageous matchup on the ground, as the Monarchs are 117th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (197.2).
Against the pass, Old Dominion is 82nd (238.4). Old Dominion has been one of the nation’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 94.4 yards per game (123rd), while ranking 57th in passing yards (247.1). James Madison’s defense will present a challenge on the ground, as the Dukes are 3rd in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (79.1). Against the pass, the Dukes are 76th (236.5).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Todd Centeio has thrown for 17 touchdowns (4 INT) and 261.7 yards per game to lead James Madison in passing. In four away games this season, he has eight TDs (3 INT) and an average of 280.8 yards passing.
Percy Agyei-Obese leads the team in rushing with an average of 94.0 yards a game over seven games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Kris Thornton is the Dukes’ leading receiver with 89.2 yards a game and five TDs.
Hayden Wolff has 14 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 244.8 yards per game through nine games to lead Old Dominion. In five home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (2 INT) and an average of 250.4 yards.
Blake Watson has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 87.9 yards a game through eight games. He has six total touchdowns, five rushing and one receiving. Ali Jennings III has been a workhorse in the Monarchs’ passing game. He has nine touchdowns and a 106.6 yard per game average through nine appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Old Dominion has dropped three in a row at home this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
James Madison -7 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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