This game's getting a ton of attention for an FCS game because it's the site of this week's edition of College GameDay. Why did ESPN decide to send the crew to Harrisonburg, Va. this week? We put together a list of five good reasons to them to make the trip.
How to watch Richmond vs. James Madison on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
It’s a CAA showdown in Harrisonburg, Va!
In a nutshell, James Madison is undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the FCS. They’re one of the few FCS team to defeat an FBS team this season when they beat SMU earlier in the year. Their main competition for the Colonial Athletic Association title is No. 11 Richmond. The Spiders are 5-1 but undefeated in the CAA, so this game has a great chance to decide the conference title.
The two Virginia schools have been playing each other consistently since 1981 and the series has stayed close, with Richmond holding a tight 17-15 series lead, including going 8-7 at James Madison. However, the Dukes blew out Richmond last year 55-20, the most points scored by James Madison in the rivalry’s history.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 3:30 ET, Comcast SportsNet
Radio: JMU/Ntelos Wireless Network. You can stream audio-only here from James Madison. In the Richmond area, the game will be on ESPN 950; HANK-FM 93.1. You can stream audio from the Richmond side here.
Online streaming: CAA.tv (subject to in-region blackout restrictions)
Spread: You can find lines favoring JMU by 13.5.
Three big things to know
1. Remember Vad Lee. Lee was a 4-star recruit out of high school and signed with Georgia Tech, but quickly found the Yellow Jackets’ triple option style wasn’t a good fit for him. He transferred to James Madison and has clearly found a home in Harrisonburg. The Dukes are averaging 280.1 passing yards per game and racking up 613 yards of total offense each time out, while Lee has broken several school records.
2. Richmond can throw too. The Spiders are picking up more passing yards per game than James Madison. They’re averaging 307 yards per game with quarterback Kyle Lauretta at the helm. His top receiver is Reggie Diggs, who is coming off a career-high 142-yard game last week against Rhode Island. But that doesn’t mean these two teams don’t run the ball. They combine to average 539.3 rushing yards per game.
3. Who can stop who? Statistically, these teams are pretty similar. On defense, James Madison is giving up 21 points per game while Richmond is giving up 26.2. Most of the points Richmond allowed were the 50 points Maryland scored against them, while the Dukes were able to score enough against SMU to win despite giving up 45 points.
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