James Madison Dukes running back Ty Son Lawton. Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

James Madison, Jacksonville State become bowl eligible despite NCAA ruling

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/26/23

The NCAA tried to stop them, but James Madison and Jacksonville State are going bowling regardless.

The Dukes and Gamecocks are transitioning from FCS to FBS, which requires a two-year bowl ban. James Madison (11-1, 7-1 in Sun Belt) filed a waiver with the NCAA earlier this month to be exempt from the rule but was denied.

However, because only 79 teams finished with six wins, it is eligible for a bowl alongside Jacksonville State (8-4, 6-2 in Conference USA).

The Sun Belt and CUSA have official ties to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, which opens the door for the Dukes and Gamecocks to play each other in a bowl game.

Conference USA also has a tie-in with the Bahamas Bowl and the Hawaii Bowl while the Sun Belt will automatically send a member to the 68 Ventures Bowl.

Per The Action Network's Brett McMurphy, the Sun Belt has a conference-record 12 teams that are bowl-eligible with James Madison's addition.

The 82 bowl teams are officially set, including James Madison & Jacksonville State. Sun Belt leads way w/record 12 bowl teams. ACC has 11, while Big 12, Big Ten & SEC 9 each. Minnesota only 5-7 team needed. Official pairings next Sunday. Complete list ⤵️https://t.co/Ow24zfm7Cc
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 26, 2023

The Dukes and Gamecocks were likely sweating out Week 13 as they waited to see if their seasons were over. Multiple 5-7 teams had a chance to reach six wins and qualify for a bowl game but lost heartbreakingly.

Washington State, Nebraska and Colorado State lost on field goals as time expired. Florida let a 12-point lead slip away against No. 5 Florida State (12-0, 8-0 in ACC) in a 24-15 loss.

Mississippi State lost a tight Egg Bowl against No. 12 Ole Miss (10-2, 6-2 in SEC), 17-7, and BYU watched its 24-6 halftime lead over No. 20 Oklahoma State (9-3, 7-2 in Big 12) get erased in a 40-34 double-overtime loss, its fifth consecutive.

If half of those results flipped, James Madison and Jacksonville State wouldn't be eligible for a bowl. Luckily for them (and unfortunately for everyone else), the football gods watched over them Saturday night and ensured they got what they deserved.

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