Dec. 5, 2025Updated Dec. 6, 2025, 6:34 p.m. ET
Could there be two Group of Five programs in the College Football Playoff this year?
At the start of the season, it seemed a crazy thought: But it’s also one close to playing out with the CFP field now at 12 teams and No. 19 James Madison (No. 25 in College Football Playoff rankings) doing its part by winning its first Sun Belt Conference championship game.
The Dukes defeated Troy 31-14 in the Sun Belt championship on Friday, Dec. 5 at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia, setting the scene for a potentially chaotic Saturday.
James Madison running back Wayne Knight had a career-high night as he put the Dukes’ offense on his shoulders, as he finished with 212 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. With the American Conference champion — either No. 20 North Texas (No. 24 in CFP rankings) or No. 21 Tulane (No. 20 in CFP rankings) — presumed in, however, the Dukes must hope for some help to make the 12-team CFP field.
Knight also recorded the longest rush and longest touchdown score in the Sun Belt championship game with a 73-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of James Madison’s fourth drive of the night in the second quarter.
So, what’s now standing in the Dukes’ way of playing for a national championship?
Here’s what to know about whether James Madison can make the College Football Playoff, including what its path to the CFP looks like:
Can James Madison make College Football Playoff?
There’s a path for James Madison to make the College Football Playoff, but the Dukes need help.
They entered Week 15 needing two things to go in their favor to create the possibility of making the CFP, which historically has been dominated by Power Four conference programs. James Madison did its part with a win over Troy in the Sun Belt championship.
Now, the Dukes await to see whether they can get the help they need: a Duke win over No. 17 Virginia (No. 17 in College Football Playoff rankings) in the ACC championship game.
If the Blue Devils win the ACC, James Madison’s chances of getting into the CFP increase: A Blue Devils win would knock the Cavaliers from being one of the five highest-ranked conference champions, creating the possibility the Dukes could instead take their place.
Per the rules and format of the CFP, the CFP field is comprised of the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large teams. There’s no specification that conference champions must come from the Power Four or Group of Five — only that they are one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.
That’s how James Madison could steal one of the other reserved for the highest-ranked conference champions, as it likely will be ranked behind another Group of Five conference champion — either No. 20 Tulane or No. 24 North Texas, of the American Conference — in the final bracket.
All told, James Madison’s CFP hopes are entirely dependent on whether Duke can win the ACC championship. Of course, there also is the possibility that the selection committee would jump Duke, unranked in the penultimate top 25 rankings, ahead of James Madison.
James Madison football ranking: Where are Dukes ranked in CFP top 25?
James Madison broke into the CFP top 25 rankings at No. 25 in the CFP selection committee’s penultimate rankings release on Tuesday, Dec. 2. It was the first time this season that the committee has included the Dukes in the rankings.
James Madison football schedule
Here’s a look at James Madison’s schedule in 2025:
- Saturday, Aug. 30: James Madison 45, Weber State 10
- Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
- Friday, Sept. 13: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 20: James Madison 31, Liberty 13
- Saturday, Sept. 27: James Madison 35, Georgia Southern 10*
- Saturday, Oct. 4: James Madison 14, Georgia State 7*
- Saturday, Oct. 11: James Madison 24, Louisiana 14*
- Saturday, Oct. 18: James Madison 63, Old Dominion 27*
- Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
- Tuesday, Oct. 28: James Madison 52, Texas State 20*
- Saturday, Nov. 8: James Madison 35, Marshall 23*
- Saturday, Nov. 15: James Madison 58,Appalachian State 10*
- Saturday, Nov. 22: James Madison 24,Washington State 20
- Saturday, Nov. 29: James Madison 59, Coastal Carolina 10*
- Friday, Dec. 5: James Madison 31, Troy 14 **
* Denotes Sun Belt game
** Denotes Sun Belt championship game
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