Former IUP football coach Curt Cignetti has his James Madison Dukes undefeated at 9-0 and ranked 21st in the nation. But they’re not eligible for a bowl game. The NCAA has a rule that any team transitioning from the Bowl Subdivision to the Championship Subdivision is ineligible for a bowl game for two years. This is the second year of the transition for James Madison.
Cignetti had a 8-3 record last year at JMU but they did not play in a bowl. In April of this year, the NCAA rejected a request for a waiver of the rule, but the school is trying again. It has sent a letter signed by the school president, rector, and athletic director, pointing out that they are one of seven undefeated teams in FBS this season, they’ve gone “above and beyond” the NCAA’s requirements, and their academics are stellar.
James Madison plays UConn on Saturday, Appalachian State the following week, and closes out the season against Coastal Carolina on November 25th.
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