The ODU Monarchs and James Madison Dukes meet Saturday in week 9 college football action at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Preview 

The ODU Monarchs look for a third straight win to improve to 5-3 on the season. ODU has lost 5 of its last 6 road games. Grant Wilson is completing 54.8 percent of his passes for 1,026 yards, 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Kelby Williams and Reymello Murphy have combined for 570 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Javon Harvey has 6 receptions. The ODU Monarchs ground game is averaging 165 yards per contest, and Kadarius Calloway leads the way with 458 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, ODU is allowing 25.4 points and 372.1 yards per game. Jason Henderson leads the ODU Monarchs with 109 tackles, Denzel Lowry has 2 sacks and Rasheed Reason has 1 interception.

Old Dominion Monarchs Team Facts

• Old Dominion has lost each of its last five away matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The underdog has covered the spread in each of Old Dominion’s last six games.
• Each of Old Dominion’s last four games in October have gone UNDER the total points line.

James Madison Dukes Betting Preview 

The James Madison Dukes look for a fourth home win to remain undefeated on the season. James Madison looks for their first 7-0 start since the 2017 season. Jordan McCloud is completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,696 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Reggie Brown and Elijah Sarratt have combined for 1,004 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while Phoenix Sproles has 21 receptions. The James Madison Dukes ground game is averaging 154 yards per contest, and Kaelon Black leads the way with 443 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, James Madison is allowing 19.3 points and 326.7 yards per game. Aiden Fisher leads the James Madison Dukes with 53 tackles, Jalen Green has 13 sacks and Francis Meehan has 3 interceptions.

James Madison Dukes Team Facts

• James Madison has won each of its last 10 games.
• James Madison has covered the spread in each of its last five games.
• James Madison has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 games against conference opponents.
• James Madison has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Each of James Madison’s last three October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Randy’s Pick

I considered Old Dominion and the points as this is a potential trap game for James Madison with a road game against Georgia State on deck. However, ODU is 103rd in passing offense, and it’s going up against the best rush defense in the country in James Madison. The ODU Monarchs are going to have issues moving the ball in this contest. James Madison is 4-2 ATS this season. So, while ODU has covered 5 of its last 6 games as a double-digit underdog, I do lean toward James Madison in a comfortable home victory.