The season marked the Dukes' first year in the Sun Belt and the FBS and also the first of a two-year transition period. They will not become bowl-eligible until the 2024 season. Ordinarily, the first year of an FCS to FBS transition is spent as an FCS team with a mixed schedule of FCS and FBS opponents, while a schedule more closely resembling that of a typical FBS team is played in the second year. However, the Dukes have 10 FBS teams on their 11-game 2022 schedule, including five home games against FBS teams, which allows their opponents to count James Madison as an FBS team in determining their own bowl eligibility. The Dukes intend to file an application with the NCAA requesting a waiver that would count the 2022 season as the second year of the two-year FCS-FBS transition period. If the waiver application is approved, the Dukes would be eligible to participate in post-season play, including bowl games, starting with the 2023 season.
