James Madison Favored Over Troy in Week 9 Sun Belt Showdown
James Madison enters the Thursday night game as a 19.5‑point favorite against Troy, with the over/under set at 49.5 points.
Game details: Thursday night’s Sun Belt contest pits James Madison against Troy at Zane Showker Field, Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va., with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Team records: James Madison sits at 7‑1 overall and 4‑1 in conference play, while Troy holds a 3‑4 overall record and 1‑2 in the Sun Belt.
Betting odds: The Dukes are listed as 19.5‑point favorites and the over/under is set at 49.5 points.
Model predictions
The SportsLine Projection Model ran 10,000 simulations of the matchup.
It projects a combined score of 52 points, making the over the value side 58% of the time.
Four of James Madison’s last five games have exceeded the 49.5‑point total.
Troy has scored at least 14 points in two of its past three games and posted 17 points against Missouri earlier in the season.
The spread simulation shows one side covering the 19.5‑point line in nearly 60% of outcomes.
SportsLine’s model currently enjoys a 68‑59 record on top‑rated college football picks, returning nearly $400 for every $100 wagered.
For those interested in the specific spread and money‑line picks, the model’s recommendations are available through SportsLine.
Overall, James Madison enters as the clear favorite, but the model suggests a relatively high likelihood of a high‑scoring game and a strong chance that the spread will be covered by one side.
