Today, we begin our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2026 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of hoping to get back to another bowl trip and potentially a second CUSA championship as fourth-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team for the upcoming season.
We begin today with a look at Liberty’s season opener at James Madison.
James Madison
• When: Saturday, Sep. 05 in Harrisonburg (Noon, ESPNU)
• Last year’s record: 12-2, 8-0 Sun Belt (1st)
• Coach: Billy Napier, 1st year at JMU
• 2026 SP+ ranking: 77
• Series History: JMU leads, 13-6
Last Meeting: Sept. 20, 2025: James Madison 31, Liberty 13
A dominant second half allowed the visiting JMU Dukes to secure a 31-13 victory over the Flames in the first ever Battle of the Blue Ridge. The game was the first of 10 scheduled meetings between the two teams over 16 years. With the game tied at 10 at halftime, JMU scored on three of its first four drives of the second half while limiting the Flames to just 92 total offensive yards during the last 30 minutes of the game. JMU finished the game with a 440-223 total offensive yardage edge as Liberty struggled considerably after losing starting quarterback Ethan Vasko to a first half injury.
Program History:
National Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Conference Championships: 1 (at FBS level)
Bowl Record: 1-2
Last Bowl Appearance: 2025: CFP 1st round, L at #5 Oregon, 51-34
Last year was a banner season for the Dukes, as they won 12 games, won the Sun Belt, and reached the College Football Playoff under head coach Bob Chesney. Once again, JMU will be breaking in first-year head coach after Chesney went to UCLA and former Florida head coach Billy Napier takes over in Harrisonburg. Just 5 starters return for Napier and JMU, but the program has a long history of success including early in their time at the FBS level having won at least 8 games in each of their first four years.
On offense, JMU loses their quarterback, top five rushers, top four receivers, and four starting offensive linemen. Alonza Barnett (and backup QB Matthew Sluka) have departed while JC Evans leads a quarterback battle that includes two incoming transfers. George Pettaway rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2024 but injuries derailed him some last year, as he finished with just 195 yards on 34 carries. At receiver, the Dukes lose six of their top seven with Braeden Wisloski the top returnee while bringing in several transfers who excelled at the FCS level. Up front, James Madison losing four starters but return first team all-Sun Belt center Zach Greenberg and add in talented transfers from Colorado, FIU, and ETSU.
JMU has been very good on defense since moving up to the FBS, but they do lose 15 of their top 18 tacklers from last season’s squad. They lose much of their defensive line but add in 10 transfers so they could be deep. Gannon Weathersby is back at linebacker where the Dukes add in six transfers including five full-time FCS starters. Madison loses all four starters in the secondary.
What’s at Stake?
For Liberty, the season opener at James Madison is about much more than starting 1-0. The Battle of the Blue Ridge offers the Flames a chance to earn a marquee non-conference road victory, build momentum before Conference USA play, and make an early statement against one of the nation’s top Group of Five programs. A win in Harrisonburg would strengthen Liberty’s resume, boost confidence heading into the rest of the season, and provide bragging rights in what is quickly becoming one of the region’s most compelling rivalries.
