James Madison: 2026 Week 3 recap

James Madison sits at 1–0 after a 20–13 Week 1 win over Liberty, holding a rating of −0.9 and ranked 70th by GIE. The rating hasn't budged week-over-week, reflecting a Dukes offense still finding its rhythm: a red-zone touchdown rate of just 15% and 43% third-down conversion rate suggest missed opportunities in high-leverage situations, though late-game execution (3.83 in leverage performance) kept them ahead. Wagner visits this weekend, a chance for Madison to build on early momentum. GIE projects 9.0 wins and gives the Dukes a 48% shot at the Sun Belt title—realistic upside if the offense can tighten its efficiency in the red zone.