Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Are you trying to figure out why undefeated James Madison football isn’t eligible for a bowl game this year? We’re here to help.
James Madison football has been one of the great stories of the college season, as the undefeated Dukes continue to steamroll the opposition.
However, the program will not be eligible for a bowl game this season, despite winning all of its nine games so far this season. What gives?
The NCAA requires all teams that transition from FCS to FBS competition spend two years outside of postseason play before being eligible to participate in any bowl games or College Football Playoff games.
Since James Madison moved from FCS to FBS play in 2022, it still has another year to go per NCAA rules before being eligible to contend in the postseason. As The Athletic noted, the program also applied for a one-year transition waiver in the spring but ultimately was denied.
However, the school requested a waiver this week to bypass the current laws and allow the Dukes the ability to compete in a bowl game this year.
“JMU presents a unique set of factors in making this request for relief,” the letter reads, per CBS Sports. “No other school has gone above and beyond the transition requirements in all the ways we have. This request is specific, unique, and consistent with the principles of student-athlete welfare espoused by the NCAA.”
The letter https://t.co/aQT4LgJP1X pic.twitter.com/OlmQqlOFWk
— Shane Mettlen (@Shane_DNRSports) November 7, 2023
Unless the NCAA amends the stipulations for James Madison, the team will have to wait until 2024 to partake in any postseason opportunities.
