The NCAA rejected the postseason waiver requests from Jacksonville State, James Madison, and Tarleton State on Wednesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports.
The Dukes, who are in their second season as an FBS program and are thus considered a transition team which is ineligible for the postseason, are undefeated so far this year.
JMU is ranked No. 18 in the nation in the AP poll, and if they were allowed to be considered for a bowl game, would be in contention to reach a New Year's Six game. But due to their transitional status, the Dukes are ineligible to feature in a potential bowl game or conference championship.
Despite their success this season, the NCAA has reportedly denied their postseason waiver requests in a decision made by the Division I Board Administration Committee.
Had their request been approved, the undefeated Dukes would have been in first place (6-0) in the Sun Belt and leading the charge into the conference’s championship game.
Thamel notes that both JMU and Jacksonville State could still wind up reaching a bowl game, should there not be enough FBS teams with a record above .500 at season’s end.
Since joining the FBS, the Dukes have a record of 18-3. This Saturday, ESPN's College Gameday will broadcast live from the Dukes' campus. The team's ineligibility will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation.
