Phil Steele Breaks Down JMU Football's 2026 Season, Sun Belt Contenders, and Playoff Dark Horses

In this conversation, Phil Steele joins Bennett Conlin to break down James Madison University Football's 2026 outlook, from JC Evans and the revamped offense to a deep defensive front and one of the Sun Belt’s most intriguing schedules. Steele explains why JMU Football's supporting cast could help JC Evans (or whoever QB1 is) thrive, why the Dukes’ running back room looks built for Billy Napier’s style and which portal additions could make an immediate impact. He also digs into the secondary, linebackers, and special teams, while sizing up the rest of the Sun Belt East and West. Beyond JMU Football, Steele shares his take on the Group of Six playoff race, highlighting teams like Navy, Boise State, Liberty, and App State, before offering his biggest national title contenders across the Power Four. If you want a sharp, data-driven preview of JMU’s season and the broader college football landscape, this episode is packed with insight. Follow us on Twitter Subscribe on Youtube Check out our website!  Like what you hear? Buy us a coffee (or beer...)  Leave us a review! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.