The Definitive Ranking of West Virginia Football’s 2019 Opponents

No. 11: James Madison Dukes (8/31)

James Madison University Athletics

Aaaaand there is James Madison clocking in at No. 11. If you’re a Dukes fan reading this, don’t misunderstood us. West Virginia does not look at you as an easy win. This ranking has nothing to do with Madison and everything to do with the foreboding strength of schedule that the Mountaineers will face this fall.

Like the Jayhawks, JMU is replacing its most recent head coach. Mike Houston went 37-6 during a three-year span as the head coach before taking the job at East Carolina. The new guy roaming the sidelines will be Curt Cignetti, the son of former WVU head coach Frank Cignetti (1976-79).

Former Pitt quarterback Ben DiNucci is the expected starting quarterback for the Dukes and had an up-and-down 2018 with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. With DiNucci’s inconsistencies, expect Madison to rely on a dynamic run game, and use the clock to its advantage, to keep the ball away from the Mountaineer offense.

James Madison is no pushover. The Dukes aren’t coming to get paid; they’re coming to win. They’ll be ready to play and will compete for longer than just a half of football.

Series History: WVU leads 2-0

Current Win Streak: WVU (2)

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