Round 2 - FCS PLAYOFFS UNC Charlotte started their football team from scratch with the same model as South Alabama, Georgia State, and Texas San Antonio, I.e., move to 1A ASAP. You are correct JMU would be favored (or certainly should be) in a matchup. Charlotte is a commuter school to a large extent. They played Tennessee close this year but Tennessee is awful and the Charlotte offense could not move the ball at all.
I don’t think any of these wannabe big time football teams from scratch has done very well. Maybe the guy wants a challenge.