Week 1: James Madison vs Middle Tennessee 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The James Madison Dukes and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders clash Saturday in week 1 college football action from Bridgeforth Stadium. Middle Tennessee is coming off a 7-6 overall season, taking a victory in the Bahamas Bowl over Toledo. As for James Madison, they went 12-2 overall in 2021, but ultimately fell in the FCS Playoffs versus North Dakota. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Middle Tennessee had their ups and downs last season, but the campaign ended on a high note. The Raiders went 7-6 overall and 4-4 in CUSA play, leaving the team in fourth place in the East Division of the conference standings behind WKU, Marshall and Old Dominion. 

Outside of a three-game losing streak at the beginning of the season (leaving the team at 1-3), the Raiders were pretty consistent and didn’t lose consecutive outings. Middle Tennessee got an invite to the Bahamas Bowl, where they took out Toledo 31-24 on December 17. 

Over on the James Madison side, they rolled through the season with very little trouble, posting a 12-2 overall record and earning a co-conference championship in the CAA with Villanova. JMU’s only regular-season loss came to Villanova on October 9. 

After the Villanova loss, the Dukes plowed through the remainder of the season. James Madison took out Southeastern Louisiana and Montana in the Second Round and Quarterfinals, but were stopped by North Dakota State 20-14 in the Semifinal matchup. 

The Raiders are 5-2 ATS in their last seven overall and 2-8 ATS in the last 10 in September. The under is 5-2 in their last seven versus the Sun Belt. 

Meanwhile, the Dukes are 4-1 ATS in their last five in September and the under is 8-3 in their last 11 overall. The under is 5-2 in JMU’s last seven on turf. 

PICK: I’m staying with James Madison. It’ll be interesting to see how the Dukes fare in the Sun Belt this year; they’re not eligible for a bowl game so there will be no pressure with the transition. JMU’s offense gets seven starters back, but they lose QB Cole Johnson and receiver Antwane Wells. Those are big hits, but the addition of Todd Centeio and veteran Kris Thornton will certainly help matters. Things are a little more dicey on the defensive side, but there should still be enough talent to make a dent in the new conference this season. Should be a fun campaign.