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James Madison · Week 7 · 2026 · Sun Belt

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The Saturday readJames Madison · Week 7 · 2026

James Madison vs Georgia State

Oct 17 · 12:00 p.m. ET · ESPNU

Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA

The lineKeep another answer available.

01 / The plan

What matters Saturday

  1. 01

    Run blocking

    Finish the combination

  2. 02

    Short-yardage options

    Keep the pass available

  3. 03

    Pressure finish

    Arrive with coverage intact

02 / Desk read

The read

Give the quarterback a receiving option when the defense crowds the run. On defense, finish the pressure without losing the route behind it.

Run blocking

In the field

AP Top 25 · Week 7

Unranked

No ranked opponents on the James Madison schedule.

Upcoming opponents use this AP poll. Played opponents use their AP rank at kickoff. Poll published Oct 11. Checked Oct 15.

Postseason

Rankings start Nov 3

6-0

Playoff raceUnranked in the AP poll, unbeaten. In the picture. The committee's first rankings come out Tue, Nov 3.

Bowl eligible with six counted wins.

This week

Updated Oct 14

Keep a passing answer in short yardage against Georgia State. Watch the active quarterback package, the protection of the first gap and the defender who stays with the route after pressure arrives.

  1. 01

    Evans completed two touchdown passes at Georgia SouthernOpens in a new tab

    Watch the passing answer when the defense expects a run. Use the actual personnel package rather than assuming a completed-game role guarantees the next start.

    The Breeze · Oct 11

  2. 02

    Georgia State averages 209.6 rushing yards per gameOpens in a new tab

    Watch the first defender hold his gap and the next defender finish the tackle. Keep an early run look from pulling coverage away from the receiver.

    Georgia State Athletics · Oct 12

  3. 03

    Pettaway ran for 151 yards at Georgia SouthernOpens in a new tab

    Watch the blocking combination create a first cut. Finish the second assignment before judging whether the next call should change the run direction.

    James Madison Athletics · Oct 11

  4. 04

    Georgia State visits at noon ET on ESPNUOpens in a new tab

    Plan for the Homecoming midday window in Harrisonburg. Check the final personnel report before assigning a short-yardage quarterback role.

    James Madison Athletics · Oct 13

  5. 05

    JMU Sports News flags a sack-free game at Georgia SouthernOpens in a new tab

    Watch pressure arrive with coverage still attached to the route. A defender near the quarterback has to finish the play before the ball leaves the pocket.

    JMU Sports News · Oct 11

03 / Road ahead

Next three

  1. vs Georgia State · Next

    12:00 p.m. ETESPNU

  2. at App State

    7:00 p.m. ETESPNU

  3. vs Troy

    7:30 p.m. ETTV TBD