This is the first University to transition directly from FCS to FBS. That's why this is significant. With the assistance of their new conference Sun Belt, they are pulling this off June 2022. Completely and easily - All Sports
"With Sun Belt football membership, combined with Tuesday's announcement of a
Sept. 3 home non-conference game vs. Middle Tennessee, the Dukes fulfilled an NCAA requirement to face a minimum of five FBS opponents in their home stadium in order for JMU to be considered an FBS opponent [NCAA Article 20.9.9.2]. JMU will not be eligible for the Sun Belt football championship or a postseason bowl for the 2022 season as a reclassifying institution but will enjoy full membership privileges in all other aspects, including the ESPN media package.
James Madison will be the first institution to host five FBS opponents in the first year of its FBS transition since the NCAA implemented the two-year transition process for reclassifying institutions in 1997. Every reclassifying institution since 1997 has met Article 20.9.9.2 in year two of its transition."