James Madison Dukes @ Louisville Cardinals Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/5/2025 7:00 PM EDT

We have your James Madison Dukes @ Louisville Cardinals prop betting and game preview needs covered as the James Madison Dukes hit the road to face the Louisville Cardinals.

James Madison Dukes @ Louisville Cardinals Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Louisville -580 [Fanduel], James Madison +460 [BetRivers]
Best Spread Odds: Louisville -14.5 (-105) [Fanduel]
Best Total Odds: Under 55.5 (-105) [Fanduel]

Game Info

Date: September 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM EDT
Location: L&N Stadium, Louisville, KY
TV: -

James Madison Dukes @ Louisville Cardinals Preview

The Louisville Cardinals, fresh off a commanding 51-17 victory over Eastern Kentucky in their season opener, are poised to host the James Madison Dukes. Louisville's offense showcased its versatility and efficiency, with quarterback Miller Moss completing 68% of his passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. The dynamic Caullin Lacy also made an immediate impact, highlighted by a spectacular 93-yard punt return for a touchdown. Defensively, the Cardinals appeared significantly improved, stifling Eastern Kentucky to just 150 total yards and forcing nine punts. Head Coach Jeff Brohm expressed satisfaction with the team's Week 1 performance, noting they "did what we needed to do." Louisville enters this matchup with high expectations, with some analysts projecting them as a contender for the ACC title and a potential College Football Playoff participant.

The James Madison Dukes, known for their "upset-minded" approach, have established a strong presence since their move to the FBS level, boasting a combined record of 28-9. They are widely regarded as the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt Conference and are considered by many as a dark horse candidate to represent the Group of 5 in the College Football Playoff. In their Week 1 contest, James Madison secured a 45-10 win over Weber State, demonstrating their offensive prowess with 458 total yards (313 rushing, 145 passing) while limiting their opponent to 148 total yards.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The Louisville Cardinals and James Madison Dukes have met on the gridiron only once in their history. This single encounter occurred on November 5, 2022, during James Madison's inaugural season in the FBS. In that game, the Louisville Cardinals defeated the Dukes with a final score of 34–10, playing at home.

Pick: Louisville Cardinals -14.5

Louisville enters this game as a substantial favorite, and their dominant Week 1 performance against Eastern Kentucky underscores their capability to control the game. The Cardinals' offense, led by Miller Moss, displayed both efficiency and the potential for explosive plays, while their defense appeared notably more cohesive and effective. Although James Madison is a formidable Group of Five program with a history of surprising opponents, Louisville's superior talent and home-field advantage are expected to be decisive. Projections suggest Louisville could secure a victory by 17 points or more, making the -14.5 spread an attractive pick. The Cardinals are well aware of James Madison's potential and are anticipated to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the contest, mirroring their previous head-to-head matchup where Louisville won by a significant margin.