South Alabama is suddenly in a bit of a slump.

The Jaguars lost 31-23 at James Madison on Saturday, their third loss in five games this season and their fourth in six games including the 2022 New Orleans Bowl. South Alabama (2-3, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference) fell behind by three scores three different times vs. the Dukes (5-0, 2-0) and were not able to overcome the deficit despite a fourth-quarter comeback.

RELATED: Unbeaten James Madison holds off late South Alabama charge, 31-23

Here are five takeaways from South Alabama’s eight-point loss in its first-ever meeting with James Madison:

1. A disappointing September is finally over

Kane Wommack’s Jaguars entered the season with hopes of building on last year’s breakthrough 10-3 record, but instead have equaled their 2022 loss total before the schedule is even halfway complete. South Alabama has been wildly inconsistent this season, pummeling Power 5 opponent Oklahoma State 33-7 on the road, but getting handled by what should be “peer” programs in Tulane and James Madison. Then there’s the loss to Central Michigan, which remains inexplicable.

2. Explosive plays still troubling Jaguars on defense

As in the season-opening loss to Tulane, South Alabama’s defense simply gave up too many big plays. JMU scored on passes of 48, 44 and 66 yards on Saturday, all of them featuring major breakdowns by the Jaguars’ defense. On the 48-yarder, Dukes receiver Elijah Sarratt executed a double-move and was wide-open down the sideline. On the other two, JMU tight end Zach Horton broke through multiple tackles and rambled for long touchdowns. Wommack and South Alabama’s players insist the problems are matters of execution, so perhaps there’s time for improvement.

3. Ice cold offensive start puts South Alabama in a hole

The Jaguars eventually got it together offensively and made a game of it on Saturday, but the first quarter-plus was an unmitigated disaster when South Alabama had the ball. USA’s first six possessions ended in five punts and a turnover on downs, when the Jaguars chose to try and run for it against the best rushing defense in the country. Carter Bradley eventually began hitting on some long passes, but the USA line didn’t do a good-enough job of protecting him or of opening holes in the running game. You have to wonder if losing running back Braylon McReynolds and (especially) wide receiver Devin Voisin to season-ending injuries has robbed the Jaguars of some of their offensive potential.

4. Jaguars still control their destiny in the Sun Belt

For all the struggles early this season, South Alabama is still very much in the race for the Sun Belt West and overall Sun Belt championships. Both the Jaguars and Troy have lost to JMU, which is on the East side and isn’t eligible for the Sun Belt title anyway as a transitional program. South Alabama likely can’t afford another misstep, and still has what look to be very tough road games at Troy and Texas State left on the schedule. Speaking of road games, the Jaguars will need to bounce back this week with a trip to Louisiana-Monroe, which has been a troublesome venue for them over the years.

5. James Madison might go undefeated this year

As mentioned, the Dukes have already beaten South Alabama and Troy, and have also knocked off the lone Power 5 opponent on their schedule (Virginia). Road games at Marshall (Oct. 19) and Georgia State (Nov. 4) will be major challenges, but running the table is not out of the question to way JMU has played this season. The Dukes’ defensive front is SEC caliber, with 23 sacks in five games. Moreover, JMU is nearly impossible to run the football against, making opponents one-dimensional. The Dukes are not great offensively, but good enough behind Arizona transfer quarterback Jordan McCloud. In short, Curt Cignetti has things going in Harrisonburg.

Next up: South Alabama is at Louisiana-Monroe (2-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) at 6 p.m. next Saturday.