WHY JMU DENIED BOWL GAME

A Historic Season Cut Short

James Madison University's (JMU) historic 2022 football season came to an abrupt end when they were denied a berth in a bowl game. The Dukes, who finished the regular season with an impressive 11-1 record and were ranked No. 9 in the final FCS Coaches Poll, were widely expected to receive an at-large bid to one of the many bowl games. However, their hopes were dashed when they were left out of the selection process.

Why Was JMU Denied?

The exact reason why JMU was denied a bowl game is unclear. The NCAA selection committee does not publicly disclose its criteria for selecting teams, so we can only speculate about what factors may have played a role. One possibility is that the committee was concerned about JMU's strength of schedule. The Dukes played a relatively weak non-conference schedule, and their only loss came against a top-10 FCS team. Additionally, JMU's ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll may have been hurt by the fact that they did not win their conference championship.

The Impact on JMU

The decision to deny JMU a bowl game was a major disappointment for the team, the university, and the fans. The Dukes had worked hard all season long, and they felt that they had earned a chance to compete in the postseason. The denial of a bowl bid also cost JMU a significant amount of money. Bowl games generate millions of dollars in revenue, and JMU would have received a share of that revenue if they had been selected.

A Missed Opportunity for the FCS

The decision to deny JMU a bowl game was also a missed opportunity for the FCS. The FCS is the second-highest level of college football in the United States, and it is home to some of the best teams in the country. JMU is one of those teams, and their inclusion in a bowl game would have showcased the FCS to a wider audience. It would have also given JMU a chance to compete against some of the best teams in the FBS, which would have been a great experience for the players and coaches.

The Future of FCS Bowl Games

The decision to deny JMU a bowl game has raised questions about the future of FCS bowl games. Some people believe that the FCS should have its own bowl game series, while others believe that FCS teams should be allowed to compete in FBS bowl games. There is no easy answer to this question, but it is an important one that needs to be addressed.

Conclusion:

The decision to deny JMU a bowl game was a disappointment for the team, the university, and the fans. It was also a missed opportunity for the FCS. The future of FCS bowl games is uncertain, but it is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Q: Why was JMU denied a bowl game?
   A: The exact reason why JMU was denied a bowl game is unclear. However, it is possible that the committee was concerned about JMU's strength of schedule and their ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll.

2. Q: What impact did the decision have on JMU?
   A: The decision to deny JMU a bowl game was a major disappointment for the team, the university, and the fans. It also cost JMU a significant amount of money.

3. Q: Was the decision a missed opportunity for the FCS?
   A: Yes, the decision to deny JMU a bowl game was a missed opportunity for the FCS. It would have showcased the FCS to a wider audience and given JMU a chance to compete against some of the best teams in the FBS.

4. Q: What is the future of FCS bowl games?
   A: The future of FCS bowl games is uncertain. Some people believe that the FCS should have its own bowl game series, while others believe that FCS teams should be allowed to compete in FBS bowl games.

5. Q: What can be done to ensure that FCS teams have a chance to compete in bowl games?
   A: There are a few things that can be done to ensure that FCS teams have a chance to compete in bowl games. One possibility is to create an FCS-only bowl game series. Another possibility is to allow FCS teams to compete in FBS bowl games. Additionally, the NCAA could consider changing its selection criteria to make it more favorable to FCS teams.