The 2018 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Mike Houston and played their home games at Bridgeforth Stadium. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). They finished the season 9–4, 6–2 in CAA play to finish in second place. They received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs where they defeated Delaware in the first round before losing to Colgate in the second round.
On December 7, 2018, Mike Houston was formally announced and hired as the next coach of East Carolina, alongside nine staff members.[1]
The Dukes finished the 2017 season 14–1, 8–0 in CAA play to become CAA champions. They finished the regular season undefeated for the second time in school history (the other being 1975, before the Dukes joined the NCAA). In the FCS Playoffs they defeated Stony Brook, Weber State, and South Dakota State to advance to the FCS National Championship Game for the second consecutive year. They were unable to defend their 2016 National Championship, falling in the 2017 title game to North Dakota State.
Preseason[]
CAA Poll[]
In the CAA preseason poll released on July 24, 2018, the Dukes were predicted to win the CAA championship.[2]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
James Madison
241 (21)
2
New Hampshire
206 (2)
3
Delaware
182
4
Stony Brook
169
5
Elon
168 (1)
6
Villanova
164
7
Richmond
127
8
Maine
81
9
Albany
78
10
Towson
74
11
William & Mary
55
12
Rhode Island
39
Preseason All-CAA Team[]
The Dukes had six players selected to the preseason all-CAA team, including cornerback Rashad Robinson being selected as preseason defensive player of the year.
Ranking movements Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.