It would appear that the NCAA isn’t inclined to do James Madison any favors.
The undefeated Dukes (6-0) are in the second year of a two-year transition from the FCS level to the FBS ranks, making them ineligible to compete in the postseason — think bowl games — again.
Nonetheless, since last spring, James Madison has appealed multiple times to the NCAA for a postseason waiver to let the Dukes play in a bowl game, for which the team would already be eligible for.
The latest attempt, spearheaded by Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares, has been rejected, however, Daily News-Record Sports’ Shane Mettlen reported on Wednesday.
NCAA president Charlie Baker denied the latest request by James Madison for a postseason waiver, noting among other things the NCAA’s desire provide a “uniform experience” for programs that transition from the FCS level to the FBS level.
“The Division 1 Board of Directors and council believe clear standards and timelines for reclassification process will promote strategic membership growth and allow for a uniform experience for all reclassifying institutions,” Baker writes. “The board and council agreed that if changes to the FCS-to-FBS reclassification process are warranted, these should be handled through legislation that applies to all schools reclassifying from FCS to FBS.”
Baker’s full response to Miyares can be read here.
Right now, the Dukes are the only unbeaten Sun Belt program remaining and are one of only three undefeated Group of Five teams left, along with Air Force (Mountain West) and Liberty (Conference USA).
In his midseason takeaways column, The Athletics’ Bruce Feldman called James Madison, “the best-kept secret in football.”
“We need to be talking more about them Dukes,” he writes. “They’re 6-0 and have a nasty defense. They beat an ACC team, Virginia, and won at Troy, a terrific Group of Five team. JMU leads the nation in rush defense, and by a lot; the Dukes are holding opponents to just 1.49 yards per carry. UCLA is next best, almost a full yard behind at 2.29. Penn State is third at 2.40. JMU led the country last year too.
“Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has had top-10 ranked defenses in each of his four seasons in both the FCS and now FBS since taking over the defense at JMU. What makes the defense so good? From talking to coaches in their new league, the Dukes have a very active, aggressive, twitchy D-line and a really smart group of linebackers that clean everything up. Haines, who played under Brady Hoke and Mark Smith at Ball State, also credits his time as an Ohio State staffer, learning more schematically from Mike Vrabel and Luke Fickell and then from Corey Hetherman, the Dukes’ DC when Haines was brought in as a co-DC.”
Although not the highest ranked G5 team currently — Air Force is ranked No. 22, while Tulane (5-1) is ranked No. 23 — James Madison received more votes than any other non-ranked team in the latest AP Poll and very easily could be the highest ranked G5 team come seasons end, which normally would send the Dukes to a New Year’s Six bowl.
The Dukes are ineligible to compete in a New Year’s Six bowl this season — unless a waiver is granted — and when it comes to other bowl games, they will have to wait and see if there aren’t enough FBS teams eligible.