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Louisville vs James Madison Picks and Predictions — September 5, 2025
The Louisville Cardinals look to clean up turnovers as they host the James Madison Dukes in a nonconference clash Friday night at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Both teams cruised to Week 1 victories, but James Madison has a track record of knocking off ACC opponents.
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Louisville is a -14 favorite, with the total set at 59.
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Louisville Can Win If…
They limit mistakes and let their explosive offense roll. The Cardinals dominated Eastern Kentucky 51-17 in Week 1, but coach Jeff Brohm was frustrated by a 3-0 turnover deficit and 12 penalties.
“When you’re in a good, tight game, if you lose the turnover battle three to zero, you’re probably not going to win the game,” Brohm said.
Running back Isaac Brown showed All-American form, rushing for 126 yards and two TDs on just six carries. QB Miller Moss threw for 223 yards with a TD and a rushing score but must cut down on interceptions. If the Cards stay disciplined, they have the firepower to handle JMU.
James Madison Can Win If…
They establish the run and play with confidence. The Dukes piled up 313 rushing yards in a 45-10 rout of Weber State, led by George Pettaway (99 yards) and Wayne Knight (89 yards, TD). QB Alonza Barnett III added both a passing and rushing score.
“To upset [Louisville], my players will need to have extreme confidence they can win,” coach Bob Chesney said.
James Madison is 2-1 vs. the ACC since 2022, including wins at Virginia and North Carolina. If their ground game clicks and Barnett avoids mistakes, they could make things interesting in Louisville.
Key NCAAF Betting Trends
| Category | Louisville | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Last Game | W 51-17 vs EKU | W 45-10 vs Weber |
| Points Per Game | 51.0 | 45.0 |
| Yards Per Game | 486 | 458 |
| Head-to-Head (2022) | Louisville 34-10 | — |
The Lean
Pick: Louisville -14
Projected Final Score: Louisville 38, James Madison 21
James Madison has proven capable of ACC upsets, but Louisville’s offensive talent and depth should prevail—especially if Moss avoids turnovers. Expect the Cardinals to pull away late behind their balanced attack.
Stay sharp with our NCAAF previews hub for more Week 2 breakdowns and betting angles.
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