This weekend isn’t just another playoff slate. It’s a test for the entire Group of Five. James Madison and Tulane earned their spots in the College Football Playoff. Now they have to prove they belong, not as charity bids or bracket fillers, but as competitive programs capable of standing toe-to-toe with some of the best Power Five teams.
Every snap matters. Every competitive quarter chips away at the narrative that G5 teams are “pity picks.” A blowout loss? Critics will call that proof the G5 still can’t hang with the top dogs in the sport. A gritty performance — even in defeat — forces the national media to recalibrate.
JMU at Oregon — The Duck Hunt at Autzen
When & Where: Saturday, Dec. 20 — Autzen Stadium (Eugene) | TNT/HBO Max
Ducks Ranking: No. 5 in CFP rankings after an 11‑1 season
Oregon is a Big Ten powerhouse, only falling once this season to top-seeded Indiana. QB Dante Moore leads a high-powered offense with speed and balance throughout the skill positions, led by running back Jordan Whittington and pass-catching tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The Ducks’ defense is also one of the nation’s stingiest, with a dominant pass rush and explosive secondary led by safety Dillon Theineman.
The Ducks are no strangers to blowouts; they took down FCS semifinalist Montana State 59-13, dominated Oklahoma State 69-3, and humiliated fellow Big Ten member Rutgers 56-10 with 750 yards of total offense. That Rutgers team hung tough against Ohio State, defeated two Big Ten teams, and finished one win short of bowl eligibility, with several one-score losses on the year.
JMU’s challenge: protect the quarterback, sustain drives, and limit turnovers against elite talent. Avoid an early blowout — mistakes here will be magnified. The quarterback-running back duo of Alonza Barnett and Wayne Knight will need to continue to step up, as the Dukes face a massive upgrade in skill and size at every position. They will also face a hostile crowd at Autzen Stadium.
The Dukes’ defense is also stout, allowing under 250 yards per game and ranking second in the FBS in that category. JMU is also allowing just 4.05 yards per play. That being said, they have been facing Sun Belt competition, and their defense must remain stout against stronger offensive linemen and much more talented skill players to prevent this game from getting out of hand.
Ole Miss vs. Tulane — Redemption in Oxford
When & Where: Saturday, Dec. 20 — Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (Oxford) | TNT/HBO Max
Rebels Ranking: No. 6 in CFP rankings after an 11‑1 season
Tulane has fared relatively well against Power Four competition, defeating bowl-eligible Northwestern 23-3 to open the season and taking down eventual ACC champion Duke 34-27.
The Green Wave survived a competitive American Conference by taking down North Texas in the championship game, while Memphis and South Florida played themselves out of the picture despite both schools earning SEC wins earlier this year over Arkansas and Florida.
However, one of their lone blemishes came against Ole Miss, with the Rebels overwhelming the Green Wave on both sides of the ball to the tune of a 45-10 victory in Week 4. Dual-threat quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for just 56 yards on 5-17 passing and was limited to 51 yards on the ground. Tulane’s other loss was a 48-26 defeat to UTSA, which finished 6-6 on the season.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss’s own dual-threat quarterback in Trinidad Chambliss, threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane, while rushing for 112 yards on 14 carries. And yes, that has much more to do with the size and strength in the trenches than the skill players, but that is the reality of college football. Yet circumstances have changed around both programs since then.
Tulane played a particularly poor game and was without starting left tackle Derrick Graham, causing Retzlaff to face a 40% pressure rate, throwing off his timing. The defense was also unfamiliar with the tendencies of Chambliss, as he had only started one game thus far due to starting quarterback Austin Simmons being injured.
Retzlaff, who was a late transfer after being suspended from BYU, has built more chemistry with his receivers, while the defense is familiar with Chambliss after watching his SEC tape. The coaching battle will be interesting as well, as Lane Kiffin was prohibited from coaching the Rebels after bolting to rival LSU. Defensive coordinator Pete Goulding was elevated to permanent head coach and will make his head coaching debut against the Green Wave in the CFP.
On the flip side, Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall accepted the head coaching position at Florida, but both schools allowed him to coach through the Wave’s CFP run. JMU head coach Bob Chesney will also coach the Dukes against Oregon before he takes over at UCLA next season.
Bottom Line
JMU and Tulane aren’t just playing for their seasons — they’re playing for respect, credibility, and the future of the Group of Five in the CFP. Execute key plays, stay competitive, and every drive becomes a statement. Fold under pressure, and the critics’ “charity bid” narrative grows louder, which influences the narrative and potentially future G5 inclusion decisions.
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