James Madison vs Old Dominion Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026

On Saturday, the James Madison Dukes (3-0) face off against the Old Dominion Monarchs (1-2) at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia. Get involved in the action with our free College Football picks.

James Madison vs. Old Dominion Game Information

• September 26, 2026
• 6:00 PM EST
• S.B. Ballard Stadium
• ESPN+

Old Dominion Form & Recent Results

Old Dominion heads into this matchup trying to shake off a rough one, as the Monarchs have lost two games in a row and have dropped two of their first three contests to begin the season. Their most recent setback came last weekend in a tight 20-17 home loss to East Carolina, a game that was within reach but ultimately slipped away. Quarterback Quinn Henicle had a difficult outing through the air, completing 8 of his 20 pass attempts while also throwing an interception. The passing game never fully found a rhythm, which put more pressure on the rest of the offense to carry the load and keep the Monarchs competitive.

Despite the loss, there were still some positive signs for Old Dominion. Running back Devin Roche gave the offense a spark on the ground, rushing for 102 yards on 18 carries and helping the Monarchs stay in the game. Wide receiver Zialis Blackmon contributed with one catch for 42 yards, while linebacker Mario Thompson stood out defensively with nine tackles. As a team, Old Dominion converted 5 of 15 third-down attempts and came up short on its only fourth-down try, which proved costly in such a close matchup. Now, the Monarchs will try to regroup as slight underdogs when they host James Madison on Saturday evening. Through the first three games of the season, Old Dominion’s defense has allowed an average of 24.7 points per game, and they will need a stronger all-around performance if they want to get back in the win column.

James Madison Form & Recent Results

The Dukes are absolutely flying high right now, kicking off their college football season with a perfect three-game winning streak that has generated a massive wave of early-season momentum. Their latest statement victory came just last weekend during a challenging road trip, where they successfully tamed San Diego State in a convincing 26-13 win. A major catalyst for this stellar performance was quarterback Camden Coleman, who put on an incredibly efficient clinic under center by completing 19-for-27 of his passes and tossing two touchdowns. He had plenty of help on the ground from running back George Pettaway, who served as the ultimate workhorse for the offense by chewing up 82 rushing yards across 20 grueling carries to keep the chains moving. When Coleman chose to strike through the air, wide receiver Braeden Wisloski emerged as his go-to target and a total matchup nightmare, hauling in five receptions for a whopping 90 receiving yards. Not to be outdone, the defensive side of the ball found its absolute heartbeat in linebacker Nakian Jackson, who flew all over the field to rack up an incredible 14 tackles to completely disrupt the opposing offense.

When you look at the collective team effort from that weekend, James Madison completely controlled the tempo by accumulating an impressive 417 yards of total offense, while maintaining excellent discipline and giving up only a single turnover throughout the entire afternoon. They also displayed ice-cold composure in high-stakes situations, executing perfectly to go 1-for-1 on crucial fourth-down conversions to sustain their scoring drives. This level of dominance is quickly becoming the standard for the program this year, as their explosive offensive unit has been absolutely lighting up the scoreboard to average a staggering 44.3 points per game over their first three contests. Looking ahead, the squad is highly motivated to keep their unblemished record intact as they prepare to travel to Norfolk for a highly anticipated, high-stakes battle against Old Dominion, where they intend to showcase their high-powered attack once again, secure another massive victory, and keep their perfect season alive.

Key Stats

• JMU’s Arrington Maiden this season: 7-for-8, 2 TDs
• ODU’s Quinn Henicle this season: 30-for-53, 3 TDs, 2 INT

Betting Odds & Market Overview:

• JMU -6; O/U 44.5

James Madison vs. Old Dominion Picks and Prediction

James Madison has won all of their first three games and will look to remain undefeated when they face the Old Dominion Monarchs on the road. Old Dominion has dropped two of their first three, including two in a row, and is eager to get a big win at home. Final Score Prediction, James Madison Dukes win and cover the spread, 31-20.