The James Madison Dukes aren’t just playing for a win—they’re playing for history. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 3:45 p.m. ET, the No. 21/22-ranked Dukes will step onto Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina to face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in what could be the most consequential regular-season game in program history. A victory would complete just the third perfect Sun Belt Conference regular season since the championship game era began—joining Coastal Carolina in 2020 and Louisiana in 2021. And if they do? They’ll host the 2025 Credit Union 1 Sun Belt Football Championship presented by Visit Pensacola just one week later, under the lights at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
A Team on a Mission
James Madison enters this game with a 10-1 overall record and a flawless 7-0 mark in Sun Belt play. They’ve won nine straight, including a gritty 24-20 road win over Washington State on November 15, 2025, where quarterback Joshua Karty threw two touchdowns in the final quarter to seal the deal. Their offense has been surgical—averaging 38.4 points per game—and their defense has tightened up in crunch time, allowing just 14.3 points per game over their last five contests. This isn’t a fluke run. It’s the product of disciplined coaching under Mark Whipple, who’s turned the Dukes into the most consistent team in the conference since their 2022 FBS debut.
But here’s the thing: they’ve never done this before. Not in the FBS era. Not in the Sun Belt. Not even close. The last time a team went 7-0 in conference play? That was Coastal Carolina in 2020. Louisiana in 2021. Both teams went on to win the championship. James Madison’s only blemish? A 31-28 loss to North Carolina in Week 2—a game they could’ve won if not for a missed field goal with 12 seconds left. That’s the kind of moment that haunts teams. But for this squad? It’s fuel.
Coastal Carolina: The Obstacle With Teeth
Don’t let Coastal Carolina’s 6-5 record fool you. The Chanticleers are 5-2 in the Sun Belt and have won four of their last five games, including a 44-27 thrashing of Marshall on October 30 and a 40-27 win over Georgia State on November 8. Their offense, led by dual-threat QB Braxton Burmeister, is explosive. They’ve scored 40+ points in three of their last four games. And they’re playing for pride—and maybe a New Year’s Six bowl bid—if they can upset the Dukes.
Coastal Carolina’s home field, Brooks Stadium, is a loud, quirky place. The “Teal Nation Memories” theme isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s a tradition. Fans wear teal, wave flags, and make the stadium feel like a party. But this Saturday? It’ll be a pressure cooker. James Madison hasn’t lost a conference game since 2023. Coastal Carolina hasn’t beaten a top-25 team since 2021. Both teams know what’s on the line.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Record
If James Madison wins, they become the first team since 2021 to enter the Sun Belt Championship with an undefeated conference record. That’s huge. It means home-field advantage, a packed house in Harrisonburg, and a national spotlight on December 5. ESPN will be there. So will scouts. So will recruiters. The Dukes are already projected as a potential CFP at-large candidate if they win the title—a first for any Sun Belt team.
But if Coastal Carolina pulls off the upset? Everything changes. The Chanticleers leapfrog Old Dominion into second place in the East. They’d have a legitimate shot at a New Year’s Six bowl. And James Madison? They’d be left wondering what might’ve been. A loss would make their championship game feel like a consolation prize—even if they still win it.
The Road to Harrisonburg
Here’s the timeline: November 29 in Conway. Then, a week off. Then, December 5 in Harrisonburg. The Dukes’ final regular-season game is also their final test before the title game. Coastal Carolina’s season ends here. They’ve got nothing left to play for but pride—and a chance to knock off the giant. James Madison’s season? It’s just getting started.
And the stakes? They’re higher than ever. The Sun Belt has never had a team win the championship after going undefeated in conference play. Not once. James Madison has the talent. The momentum. The coaching. The schedule. All they need is one win. One game. One Saturday in Conway.
What Happens After?
Even if James Madison wins, the real challenge begins December 5. The West Division winner—likely Troy or Southern Miss—will be hungry. Troy went 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the West, with a win over Arkansas State and a near-upset of Louisiana. Southern Miss, meanwhile, is 7-4 and has a defense that’s held opponents under 20 points in four straight games.
But here’s the twist: James Madison’s defense has held every Sun Belt opponent under 28 points this season. That’s not luck. That’s preparation. And if they can do it again on December 5, they won’t just win a title—they’ll rewrite the narrative of what’s possible in the Sun Belt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this game so important for James Madison’s national standing?
A win would make James Madison the first Sun Belt team since 2021 to enter the conference championship with a perfect conference record. That kind of resume—10-1 overall, 7-0 in the toughest FBS Group of Five league—could earn them an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff if they win the title. No Sun Belt team has ever made the CFP, but a perfect season and a dominant championship win could change that.
Who are the key players to watch in this matchup?
For James Madison, QB Joshua Karty (2,410 yards, 19 TDs) and RB De’Shawn Jones (1,120 yards, 12 TDs) are the engine. Coastal Carolina’s Braxton Burmeister (2,080 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs) is the X-factor—he can win games with his arm or legs. Look for James Madison’s linebacker corps, led by Jalen McMillan, to be tasked with containing Burmeister’s scrambles.
How does this game affect Coastal Carolina’s future?
A win would vault Coastal Carolina into the top 25 and likely earn them a New Year’s Six bowl bid, possibly the Camellia Bowl or New Orleans Bowl. But a loss? They’ll finish 6-6 and likely head to the First Responder Bowl. Either way, head coach Jamey Chadwell’s program has proven it can compete with elite Sun Belt teams—this game is the final statement of his tenure before he departs for Liberty in 2026.
Why is the championship game being held in Harrisonburg?
Because James Madison has the best record in the East Division. The Sun Belt awards home-field advantage to the division champion with the best overall record. The Dukes’ 10-1 mark beats Old Dominion’s 8-3. Plus, Bridgeforth Stadium sold out all seven home games this season—proving fan support is unmatched. It’s a reward for excellence, and a massive advantage heading into the title game.
Has any Sun Belt team ever made the College Football Playoff?
No. Not even close. The highest-ranked Sun Belt team ever to finish a season was Appalachian State in 2020, ranked No. 20. But if James Madison wins out—beating Coastal Carolina and then the West champ—they could finish in the top 12, especially with a win over a Power Five team like Washington State. It’s a long shot, but not impossible. The CFP selection committee has shown openness to Group of Five teams in recent years.
