They were led by second-year head coach Curt Cignetti and played their home games at Bridgeforth Stadium.

[5] The Dukes finished the regular season undefeated and won the CAA South Division title.

The Dukes were not selected as the conference champions, instead the championship was awarded to Delaware (who also finished the regular season undefeated).

The Dukes received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs, where they defeated VMI and North Dakota before losing in the semifinals at Sam Houston State, the eventual national champions, whom they blew a 27-10 lead to a matter of minutes.

James Madison had originally scheduled non-conference games at North Carolina and at home against Chattanooga and Merrimack, that were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.