Dukes Rank No. 1 in Initial Committee Rankings for 2017 FCS Playoffs

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Entering this weekend as one of three remaining unbeaten teams, James Madison was ranked No. 1 by the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Selection Committee, as the group unveiled its initial top-10 ranking ahead of the 2017 FCS playoffs on Thursday night on ESPNU.

The Dukes have won a CAA-record 20 consecutive games, which leads all teams in Division I. JMU is 8-0 on the year and 5-0 in Colonial Athletic Association play, sitting tied for first in the conference standings.

JMU ranks in the top 10 nationally in 13 statistical categories, which includes leading the FCS in three categories. The Dukes are first in scoring defense (10.0), red-zone defense (55.6%) and team pass efficiency defense (70.53 rating).

They are also second in total defense (227.6), interceptions (17), passing defense (132.4), takeaways (24) and defensive scores (4), fourth in completion percentage (68.7%), sacks (3.63) and first-down defense (112), seventh in scoring offense (38.3) and ninth in turnover margin (1.38).

The Dukes were one of two CAA schools to be ranked in the top 10. They were joined by Elon, which was ranked seventh. JMU and Elon, which are tied atop the league standings, face off in the regular-season finale on Nov. 18 in Elon, N.C.

Following the Dukes were No. 2 North Dakota State (8-0), No. 3 Jacksonville State (7-1), No. 4 Central Arkansas (7-1) and South Dakota (7-1) rounding out the top five. Just ahead of Elon is No. 6 Sam Houston State (7-1). Wofford (7-1) comes in at No. 8, followed by No. 9 Northern Arizona (6-2) and No. 10 South Dakota State (6-2).

This is the first of two top-10 ranking reveals by the committee during the regular season. The second release will be Nov. 9 during halftime of the Georgia Southern at Appalachian State game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

The final bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. on ESPNU.

The 2017 championship field consists of 10 automatic qualifiers and 14 at-large qualifiers. The top-eight teams will be seeded, receive first-round byes and host second-round games. The 16 other teams will bid to host first-round games, which will take place Saturday, Nov. 25. The national championship game will be at noon Eastern on Saturday, Jan. 6, in Frisco, Texas, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Dukes hit the road this Saturday, Nov. 4 to face Rhode Island. Kickoff is set for noon from Meade Stadium.

FCS Selection Committee Top 10 (Nov. 2, 2017)
1. James Madison (8-0)
2. North Dakota State (8-0)
3. Jacksonville State (7-1)
4. Central Arkansas (7-1)
5. South Dakota (7-1)
6. Sam Houston State (7-1)
7. Elon (7-1)
8. Wofford (7-1)
9. Northern Arizona (6-2)
10. South Dakota State (6-2)

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