James Madison Dukes running back Ty Son Lawton (7) points to the camera after scoring a touchdown. Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

Undefeated JMU faces appeals to NCAA board for bowl game appearance

By Cameron Kiszla | Last updated 11/7/23

The James Madison Dukes (9-0, 6-0 Sun Belt) are off to an incredible start to the 2023 season, but without the help of the NCAA Board of Directors, they likely won't even play in a bowl game.

That's because the No. 21 Dukes are in only their second season of competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A), the highest level of college football. The NCAA doesn't let new FBS teams play in bowls for their first two seasons.

The Virginia attorney general even tried to intervene but to no avail.

However, the school has one more card to play: they're asking the NCAA Board of Directors to provide a waiver for the streaking Dukes.

"Our university has embarked on this transition in ways that no other institution has since the transition rules changed 23 years ago, and our student-athletes have achieved an astonishing, unprecedented level of success during this period," James Madison officials wrote in a letter to Board Chair Jere Morehead. "Relief that allows our student-athletes to participate in a bowl game, as their play has earned, is warranted."

The NCAA put out a statement saying the request would be reviewed "in a timely manner," according to the Athletic's Nicole Auerbach.

Statement from the NCAA:

The NCAA has received a waiver request from James Madison and the request will be considered by the appropriate membership committees in a timely manner. https://t.co/RlPY5hLFpr
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 7, 2023

If the Dukes' appeal is denied, it could put a damper on what might end up being a Cinderella season. If the season ended today, JMU is positioned to grab a New Year's Six bid, meaning they'd face off against big-time programs like Oklahoma, Oregon or Michigan in high-profile games like the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls.

Of course, a high-level bid like that depends on more than just an NCAA ruling; the Dukes would have to continue winning.

If a waiver is granted, JMU would be rewarded with a bowl regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, but if things fall the right way, the Dukes might find themselves with a special opportunity to show out with the eyes of the college football world upon them.

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