Washington State vs James Madison Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 22, 2025
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This matchup in Harrisonburg brings together two teams heading in very different directions. Washington State is 5-5 and fighting for bowl eligibility, while James Madison sits at 9-1 and rolling through opponents with one of the most balanced offenses in the country. Kickoff is set for Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium with temperatures in the mid 40s, and the game will stream on ESPN+. Washington State enters with two wins in its last three, but James Madison has scored 35 or more in four straight. Looking for today’s college football picks? Don’t miss our expert breakdowns.
Washington State Preview
Washington State turns to quarterback Zevi Eckhaus to carry the offense. He has 1,392 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while completing 64.2 percent of his throws. His top weapon is Joshua Meredith, who leads the team with 586 receiving yards on 13.3 per catch and 3 scores. The Cougars' run game relies on Kirby Vorhees, who has 473 yards and 4 touchdowns on 105 carries, with Eckhaus adding 6 rushing scores. Recent outings show a unit capable of moving the ball in spurts, scoring 28 points in wins over Toledo and Louisiana Tech, but struggling to sustain drives against stronger defenses on the road.
Washington State’s defense has kept the Cougars competitive despite an inconsistent offense. Linebacker Parker McKenna leads with 70 tackles and has shown reliable range in space, while Isaac Terrell has generated 5 sacks to anchor a front that has totaled 21 sacks this season. The secondary has just 2 interceptions, and the lack of takeaways has limited chances to flip momentum in tighter games. Opponents have rarely run away from the Cougars, but the matchup against a physical and fast James Madison attack presents a different challenge than what they’ve seen recently. Check out all the sportsbook promos to see if you are getting a great deal on your bets on Washington State.
James Madison Preview
James Madison enters with an offense that has steamrolled its last five opponents. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III has thrown for 2,089 yards with 16 touchdowns and averages 8.1 yards per attempt. He is complemented by a punishing ground game led by Wayne Knight, who has 840 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns at 6.2 per carry. Barnett adds another 396 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, giving the Dukes dynamic red zone versatility. The receiving corps features Landon Ellis with 532 yards and 5 touchdowns, and the overall balance has produced point totals of 58, 35, 52, and 63 in the last four wins.
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James Madison’s defense has been nearly as impressive. Trent Hendrick leads the team with 76 tackles and 3 sacks, while Aiden Gobaira and multiple linemen have combined for 26 sacks overall. The Dukes also force turnovers, highlighted by Justin Eaglin’s 3 interceptions and steady play from Tyler Brown and Jacob Thomas in coverage. The unit held Appalachian State to 10 points and Louisville to 14, showing consistent control against a range of offenses. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for James Madison with the Kickr promo code.
James Madison vs Washington State Prediction
Prediction: James Madison 38, Washington State 20. James Madison against the spread, and lean over the total depending on the market number. Make sure when you place your bet on Washington State vs James Madison you are using the BetMGM bonus code.
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