James Madison Dukes vs Louisville Cardinals Prediction, 9/5/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: James Madison Dukes vs Louisville Cardinals

Date: Friday, September 5, 2025

Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, KY

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (-14.0)

Total/Over-Under: 57.5

The James Madison Dukes (1-0) are headed to L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Friday, September 5, 2025 where they will try to defeat the Louisville Cardinals (1-0). Louisville opens as 14.0-point favorites. The over/under is 57.5.

The James Madison Dukes head into this game 1-0 for this year. In their last matchup, the Dukes played the Weber State Wildcats and walked away with a win by a score of 45-10. In all, they tallied 71 plays which totaled 458 yards. The James Madison Dukes rushed the ball a total of 44 times and recorded 313 yards, which had them averaging 7.1 yds per attempt. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Dukes gave up 64 yds on 31 tries, which is an average of 2.1 yds per run allowed. James Madison conceded 10 completions on 26 tries for a total of 84 yds, and a completion percentage of 38.5%.

The Dukes have earned 458 total yards for this campaign. In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, James Madison has compiled 2 touchdowns via the pass and 4 touchdowns on the ground. They have surrendered the football 2 different times. James Madison has tallied 23 1st downs as a unit, and they have committed 6 penalties for 75 yards. As a team they maintain an average of 313.0 yards in the run game which is 6th in the country. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the James Madison Dukes are sitting at 45.0 points per contest.

Concerning yards via the pass, the Dukes have conceded 84 yds which has them ranked 14th in the country. They have conceded 84.0 yards per contest through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 38.5%. Overall, they have given up 148.0 yards/game which ranks them 10th in Division 1. They have surrendered 1 touchdown through the air. They are allowing an average of 2.1 yards per rush and 64.0 rushing yards per game for the year. During this campaign, they have conceded 64 running yards through 1 game. The Dukes rank 46th in Division 1 regarding the opposition scoring, giving up 10.0 PPG.

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The Cardinals head into this game 1-0 this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Cardinals walked away with a victory by a final of 51-17 when they faced the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Louisville gave up 39 running attempts for 74 yds (1.9 yds per rush). The Cardinals passing defense allowed a completion rate of 35.7%, relinquishing 76 yards on 5 for 14 passing. The Cardinals finished the contest with a total of 542 yards while running 67 plays (8.1 yards per play). Louisville ended up running for 7.6 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 229 yards on 30 carries.

Concerning their scoring prowess, the Cardinals sit 16th in Division 1 scoring 51.0 points per game. The Louisville Cardinals hold an average of 542.0 yards/outing, which has them ranked 14th in college football. The Louisville offense has totaled 106 penalty yards on 12 infractions, which ranks them 7th in Division 1 in terms of hurting your team. They have tallied 28 1st downs. During the season so far, the Cardinals have compiled 313 yards through the air, which ranks 19th in D-1. They maintain an average of 229.0 yards per game.

The Cardinals are allowing 17.0 PPG, which puts them 75th in college football. Louisville has allowed the opposition a total of 74 yards via the ground game. They have allowed 76.0 passing yards/outing, ranking them 12th in Division 1. The Cardinals defense has been on the field for 53 plays, which ranks them 18th in college football. They have yet to force a turnover.

Who will win tonight's Dukes/Cardinals college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Dukes +14.0

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