James Madison and Tulane will both compete as double-digit underdogs in their inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP) matchups on Saturday, but despite the odds, both institutions have seen a remarkable surge in merchandise sales celebrating their historic achievements.
These programs, representing the Group of 6, earned automatic bids to the CFP by being among the five highest-ranked conference champions, largely due to an unexpected victory from unranked Duke over perennial powerhouse North Carolina in the ACC.
Currently ranked No. 5, Oregon enters the matchup as a 21-point favorite against No. 12 James Madison. Nonetheless, the JMU community remains hopeful as the team competes in its third season of FBS football within the Sun Belt Conference. Mark Glenn, the campus store director, reminisced about the excitement surrounding JMU’s first FCS championship win in 2004, stating that this playoff experience feels distinctively exhilarating. Since online orders for JMU CFP apparel launched on December 7, the store has struggled to keep items on the shelves. Glenn reported that they processed 3,000 orders in just one week, rendering the 288 pre-made Sun Belt champion shirts inadequate.
Among the most sought-after JMU merchandise are the Nike “Playoff Mode” hoodies and T-shirts displaying the logos of all 12 teams in this year’s CFP. The store, a 24,000-square-foot outlet managed by Follett, has even enlisted workers from nearby campus shops to handle the increased demand.
Meanwhile, No. 6 Ole Miss stands as a 17.5-point favorite over No. 11 Tulane, yet the enthusiasm among Tulane’s supporters is akin to that of JMU. Campus Connection, a prominent Tulane apparel retailer, has dispatched 1,000 orders this week, also bringing in extra assistance from Tulane Sports Properties to cope with the heightened demand. Interestingly, one of the top-selling items is a hoodie featuring the phrase “RMFW,” which Tulane Athletic Commissioner Tim Pernetti plans to showcase at the game in Oxford.
The surge in merchandise sales demonstrates the immense pride and excitement surrounding these teams as they embark on a pivotal moment in their sports history. With both universities celebrating their achievements, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in their football journeys.