Washington State vs. James Madison: Crucial Playoff Implications

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00:00And JMU takes on Washington State this Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern with a total of 42 and a half.

00:07But you look at James Madison this season, and they have lived up to the billing, Paul.

00:11They've played one game, I believe, within a touchdown.

00:13Only one game.

00:14If they only won by seven, they've been dominant.

00:17Their defense has been really good, too.

00:19I mean, a historical game for them this week.

00:22If they're able to pull this off, it's going to be hard for people to keep them out of that college football playoff.

00:28Yeah, you know, you would think so.

00:29I was looking at odds at a sportsbook in preparation for this appearance.

00:35And James Madison currently plus 400, so 4-1 to make the playoff at one book.

00:42At that same book, North Texas at plus 100 or even money, Tulane at plus 190.

00:50So even though Tulane's the team that's ranked in the college football playoff committee's rankings, North Texas has shorter odds.

00:57So a higher probability, I assume they expect North Texas to win the conference championship game there.

01:03But you look at this James Madison team, you noted and mentioned their dominance.

01:08They've played one power 14 this year.

01:10That's their only loss.

01:11Played Louisville back in week two.

01:13A very competitive game.

01:14They ended up losing 28-14 to the Cardinals, but actually led 14-6 in the third quarter.

01:21Game was tied at 14, entering the fourth.

01:24So they were very competitive in that game.

01:26They've got two games remaining in their regular season.

01:29Of course, Washington State this Saturday.

01:31Then they travel to Coastal Carolina next Saturday.

01:33And then they'll play the league's West Division winner, likely on James Madison's home field there in Harrisonburg.

01:42The Dukes, they can't afford any hiccups.

01:44They need to win.

01:46I think they know they need style points.

01:47And I think Washington State kind of has the committee's eye.

01:51I think everybody remembers the Cougars traveling east across the country in mid-October, back-to-back weekends at Ole Miss, at Virginia.

02:00They lose both of those games, but lose them by a grand total of five points.

02:05Could have won either or both of those games.

02:07Really competitive.

02:09But I think Washington State's going to run out of juice here.

02:11I really like this JMU team, led by their veteran quarterback, Alonzo Barnett III.

02:1713-1⁄2 is the predominant line you're seeing right now.

02:21The Dukes need style points.

02:23I like JMU, minus 13-1⁄2 over Washington State.