Top-ranked James Madison can lock up a berth in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision playoff field of 16 with a victory over No. 12 William and Mary on Saturday in Harrisonburg. Kickoff is at 1:30.
The Dukes (6-0, 8-1), winners of eight straight, would have the tiebreaker advantage over the other potential team with one loss, No. 6 Villanova (5-1, 7-2), which meets Towson (1-5, 3-7) on Saturday. JMU beat the Wildcats 23-19.
It doesn’t figure to be easy for JMU, since the Tribe (5-1, 7-2) is averaging over 35 points under quarterback Jake Phillips and has reeled off five consecutive wins. Tailback Jonathan Grimes (829 yards rushing) has also contributed heavily to W&M’s attack.
The Dukes have beaten the Tribe four straight since losing 27-24 on a last-second field goal in 2004. Quarterback Rodney Landers, who has passed and run for over 2,000 yards, leads a potent offense that averages almost 37 points.
A victory for the Tribe, however, would almost certainly give them a spot in the 16-team tournament field, no matter what they do against Richmond next week.
Meanwhile, No. 7 UR (4-2, 7-3) needs a win over Delaware (2-4, 4-6) to keep its playoff hopes alive at UR Stadium. Another league loss would eliminate the Spiders.
Depending on the JMU-W&M outcome in Harrisonburg, the UR-W&M meeting in Williamsburg on Nov. 22 could decide the playoff fate of both of the long-time rivals.
There’s one other big game in the league this week, with No. 13 New Hampshire (4-2, 7-2) entertaining No. 22 Massachusetts (3-3, 6-4). UNH must claim this one or join UMass on the sidelines when the playoffs begin on Nov. 29.

Posted by John Packett in • College Sports • FCS
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