ESPN’s College GameDay is heading to Harrisonburg, Va to the campus of undefeated, Sun Belt-leading James Madison for their Week 12 tilt against Appalachian State, the show announced on Saturday night.
As if the news of GameDay heading to Harrisonburg couldn’t get any bigger, it was also announced that the Jonas Brothers will perform live during the show next Saturday morning. It will be the show’s first appearance on the campus of James Madison since 2017.
🟣 10-0 start for @JMUFootball
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 12, 2023
🟣 Guest performance by the @jonasbrothers
🟣 First College GameDay visit since 2017
GET READY HARRISONBURG, WE ARE COMING TO YOUR CITY! pic.twitter.com/M7YwYXDFTP
The Dukes moved to 10-0 on the season after defeating UConn 44–6 on Saturday at home. James Madison looks like a strong candidate to win the Sun Belt. However, the Dukes cannot technically compete for a conference title or bowl game this season, as the school is only in its second year at the FBS level.
Per NCAA rules, as a school transitions from a lower level of football up to the FBS, there is a two-year waiting period before the team can compete in a bowl game or for a conference title.
James Madison filed a waiver with the NCAA earlier this week in hopes of playing for a conference title and bowl eligibility this season. If the waiver were to be granted, James Madison is not only a strong contender to win the Sun Belt, but could also figure into the New Year’s Six bowl game conversation with a conference championship as the highest-ranked Group of Five school in the country.
ESPN is clearly open to celebrating James Madison’s spectacular second season in the FBS, as the Dukes will made their presence felt on the network’s flagship Saturday morning program in Week 12.
