Thursday Night College Football: Coastal Carolina vs. James Madison Expert Picks, Prediction, & Best Bets

The Thursday night matchup of Coastal Carolina vs. James Madison features two Sun Belt Champion hopefuls, each with a 4-1 record. 

The Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina head to Harrisonburg, Va., walking into what promises to be a storm. On the other side awaits a James Madison team seething with frustration. Last Saturday, the Dukes endured a shocking 21-19 loss at the hands of UL Monroe, a game in which 17 points favored them. It wasn’t just their first defeat of the season—it was a humbling setback for a program that had started 3-1 against the spread in FBS play, a reminder that even the best can stumble.

Coastal Carolina arrives with momentum, fresh off a 45-37 victory over Old Dominion on their signature teal turf in Conway. The Chanticleers not only covered as 4-point favorites but found a rhythm on offense, a rhythm they’ll need to sustain against a JMU squad eager to reclaim its pride.

For James Madison, this game isn’t just about the standings—it’s about redemption, about shaking off the sting of an unexpected loss. The Chanticleers know what awaits them: a determined Dukes team with something to prove.

Check out our Coastal Carolina vs. James expert picks, predictions, and best bets!

Coastal Carolina vs. James Madison Betting Preview

All Coastal Carolina vs. James Madison odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

• Spread
  James Madison -9.5
• Moneyline
  Coastal Carolina +270, James Madison -345
• Over/Under
  61 points
• Game Time
  7:30 p.m. ET
• Location
  Bridgeforth Stadium | Harrisonburg, VA
• Predicted Weather at Kick
  58 degrees, Clear
• How To Watch
  ESPN2 

Check out our other college football expert picks! 

Prediction for Coastal Carolina vs. James Madison

The Chanticleers arrive in Harrisonburg with a run-heavy approach, ranking 41st or better in Rush Success and Scrimmage Yards. But against a James Madison defense that has limited its last three opponents to just 3.7, 2.3, and 3.1 yards per carry, Coastal Carolina faces a daunting challenge.

Quarterback Ethan Vasko’s passing has been inconsistent, surpassing a 59 QBR just once in three games with 21 or more attempts. And outside of a win over FCS William & Mary, the Chanticleers have allowed over six yards per play on defense. That’s why the total for this game sits in the low 60s. Aside from a 50-point outing by UNC, JMU’s defense has surrendered just 7, 6, 7, and 21 points in its other games.

Both teams have played relatively soft schedules—James Madison ranks 131st and Coastal Carolina 117th in schedule difficulty. Still, Coastal has performed better than expected under new coach Tim Beck, despite many seeing him as a downgrade from Jamey Chadwell.

James Madison’s offense struggled late in last week’s loss to UL Monroe, turning the ball over twice and managing just 30 yards on its final 13 plays. However, the Dukes still outgained their opponent by 143 yards, showcasing an offense ready to bounce back. With Alonza Barnett—who joined Joe Burrow as one of the few quarterbacks to score 63-plus points in back-to-back games—leading the way, JMU is poised to exploit Coastal’s defensive weaknesses.

Alonza Barnett goes back-to-back as Sun Belt Player of the Week.

Against Ball State ⬇️: 20/28, 280 yds, 5 TDs, 52 rushing yds, TD pic.twitter.com/6GiklaG6M5

— Jarvis Haren (@jarvisharen) September 30, 2024

Expect the Dukes to score enough points to keep the Chanticleers’ run-heavy offense from climbing back into the game.

Prediction: James Madison 38, Coastal Carolina 27

Best Bet: James Madison -9.5