Free Pick | NCAA Football | Nov. 5

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Free Pick Saturday: #337 James Madison +7.5 over Louisville 6:30 PM CT

James Madison has gone from 5-0 to 5-2 but quarterback Todd Centeio didn’t play in the last game, a 26-12 loss to Marshall with Dukes posting by far their worst yardage results. The loss at Georgia Southern was game where James Madison had 675 yards of offense but had tough turnover results and this is still a team that has posted huge numbers against decent competition to start this season. Centeio is a game-time decision, but James Madison has amazing defensive numbers that will make the Dukes a threat in this game even if the offense is not at full strength. James Madison is allowing just 4.7 yards per play and just 1.9 yards per rush, a rate that leads the nation. Facing Louisville will be a step up in class, but the Cardinals have been an erratic group. Louisville has been outgained by triple-digits in two ACC losses while only once in ACC play did the Cardinals have a pronounced production edge. In beating last year’s ACC division champions in back-to-back weeks, the Cardinals have some momentum, but they had a production deficit in the narrow win hosting Pitt, while last week they were handed eight turnovers in what should have been a very even game. Louisville has been outrushed three times in ACC play despite Scott Satterfield’s reputation for ground success. Next on the schedule for the Cardinals is Clemson as this could be a difficult game to get up for in-between two of the highest profile ACC games of the season and the underdog points with the nation’s best run defense have some appeal.