Old Dominion Monarchs vs James Madison Dukes Prediction, 10/18/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Old Dominion Monarchs vs James Madison Dukes

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Location: Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, VA

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Dukes (-1.5)

Total/Over-Under: 47.5

Bridgeforth Stadium is where the James Madison Dukes (5-1) will try to beat the Old Dominion Monarchs (4-2) on Saturday, October 18, 2025. James Madison opens this matchup as 1.5-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 47.5.

The Old Dominion Monarchs head into this matchup 4-2 this year. In their last matchup, the Monarchs took on the Marshall Thundering Herd and took a loss by a score of 48-24. On the day, they ran 66 plays which gave them 439 yds. The Old Dominion Monarchs ended up rushing 38 times and recorded 173 yards, which is an average of 4.6 yards per tote. On the ground, the Monarchs conceded 223 yards on 50 tries, which calculates to 4.5 yards per run allowed. Old Dominion gave up 18 completions on 26 tries for a total of 222 yds, and a completion percentage of 69.2%.

When it comes to getting in the endzone, the Old Dominion Monarchs are averaging 34.2 PPG. Offensively they're maintaining an average of 238.0 yards on the ground ranking them 13th in the country. The Monarchs have racked up 2,931 yards in total for the season. When it comes to scoring, Old Dominion has amassed 13 passing touchdowns and 13 touchdowns via the ground. Old Dominion has a total of 134 first downs as a team, and they have been called for 38 penalties for 331 yards. They have turned the ball over 15 different times.

The Monarchs are ranked 41st in Division 1 concerning their opponents scoring, allowing 20.2 points per game. They are giving up 4.0 yards per running attempt and 174.8 yards on the ground per game so far this season. Overall, they have allowed 1,049 rushing yards through 6 outings. Concerning passing yardage, the Monarchs have conceded 967 yards which has them sitting in 20th in D-1. They have conceded 161.2 yards per game through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 60.3%. For the year, they are conceding 336.0 yards per game which has them sitting 47th in Division 1. They have conceded 6 touchdowns through the air in addition to 7 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Dukes come into this game with a record of 5-1 this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Dukes walked away with a victory by a final of 24-14 against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. The Dukes finished the contest with 477 yds and they ran 81 plays (5.9 yds per play). James Madison ran for 4.6 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 187 yards on 41 carries. James Madison surrendered 28 run attempts for 45 yards (1.6 yds per carry). The Dukes pass defense allowed a completion rate of 48.3%, surrendering 243 yds on 14 for 29 passing.

The James Madison Dukes average 400.3 yards/game, ranking them 63rd in Division 1. The James Madison offense has racked up 504 yds of penalties on 53 violations, which is 4th in D-1 in terms of giving up free yards. They maintain an average of 232.5 yards via the ground game and have run for 1,395 yards for the season. They have tossed 4 interceptions while surrendering 4 fumbles and they have been able to tally 135 1st downs. In terms of putting points on the board, the Dukes currently sit 78th in the country by scoring 27.2 PPG. For the year so far, the Dukes have thrown for a total of 1,007 passing yards in addition to an average of 167.8 throwing yards per outing, giving them a rank of 119th in Division 1.

The Dukes are giving up 13.7 PPG, which has them sitting 10th in the country. James Madison has surrendered a total of 444 yards on the ground (74.0 yards per game) as well as 2 touchdowns on the ground for the year. They have conceded 6 touchdowns through the air in addition to 155.0 yards per game, which has them sitting 13th in Division 1. The Dukes defense has participated in 334 plays, which is good for 9th in Division 1. They have tallied 1 fumble and 4 interceptions over the course of the season. This year, they have given up 82 points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Monarchs +1.5

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