Dec. 5, 2025Up to date Dec. 6, 2025, 6:34 p.m. ET
May there be two Group of 5 applications within the Faculty Soccer Playoff this 12 months?
In the beginning of the season, it appeared a loopy thought: However it’s additionally one near enjoying out with the CFP subject now at 12 groups and No. 19 James Madison (No. 25 in Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings) doing its half by successful its first Solar Belt Convention championship recreation.
The Dukes defeated Troy 31-14 within the Solar Belt championship on Friday, Dec. 5 at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia, setting the scene for a doubtlessly chaotic Saturday.
James Madison working again Wayne Knight had a career-high evening as he put the Dukes’ offense on his shoulders, as he completed with 212 dashing yards and a landing on 21 carries. With the American Convention champion — both No. 20 North Texas (No. 24 in CFP rankings) or No. 21 Tulane (No. 20 in CFP rankings) — presumed in, nevertheless, the Dukes should hope for some assist to make the 12-team CFP subject.
Knight additionally recorded the longest rush and longest landing rating within the Solar Belt championship recreation with a 73-yard dashing landing on the primary play of James Madison’s fourth drive of the evening within the second quarter.
So, what’s now standing within the Dukes’ means of enjoying for a nationwide championship?
Here is what to learn about whether or not James Madison could make the Faculty Soccer Playoff, together with what its path to the CFP seems to be like:
Can James Madison make Faculty Soccer Playoff?
There is a path for James Madison to make the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however the Dukes need assistance.
They entered Week 15 needing two issues to go of their favor to create the potential of making the CFP, which traditionally has been dominated by Energy 4 convention applications. James Madison did its half with a win over Troy within the Solar Belt championship.
Now, the Dukes await to see whether or not they can get the assistance they want: a Duke win over No. 17 Virginia (No. 17 in Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings) within the ACC championship recreation.
If the Blue Devils win the ACC, James Madison’s possibilities of moving into the CFP improve: A Blue Devils win would knock the Cavaliers from being one of many 5 highest-ranked convention champions, creating the chance the Dukes may as a substitute take their place.
Per the foundations and format of the CFP, the CFP subject is comprised of the 5 highest-ranked convention champions and 7 at-large groups. There is not any specification that convention champions should come from the Energy 4 or Group of 5 — solely that they’re one of many 5 highest-ranked convention champions.
That is how James Madison may steal one of many different reserved for the highest-ranked convention champions, because it possible will likely be ranked behind one other Group of 5 convention champion — both No. 20 Tulane or No. 24 North Texas, of the American Convention — within the remaining bracket.
All instructed, James Madison’s CFP hopes are completely depending on whether or not Duke can win the ACC championship. After all, there is also the chance that the choice committee would soar Duke, unranked within the penultimate high 25 rankings, forward of James Madison.
James Madison soccer rating: The place are Dukes ranked in CFP high 25?
James Madison broke into the CFP high 25 rankings at No. 25 within the CFP choice committee’s penultimate rankings launch on Tuesday, Dec. 2. It was the primary time this season that the committee has included the Dukes within the rankings.
James Madison soccer schedule
Here is a take 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, Outdated 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 Solar Belt recreation
** Denotes Solar Belt championship recreation
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