The 2014 football schedule has been officially released with 12 games and 6 home dates. Here’s a quick breakdown of the schedule:
Definite Wins
09/13 vs Brevard
A rematch of last season’s 59-21 win. The Flames should have no problem against the Division II Tornados.
Should-be Wins
09/06 @ Norfolk State
It’s hard to put this in this category as the Spartans beat the Flames in Williams Stadium in 2012, but NSU was 3-9 last season in the bad MEAC. Liberty should be able to get a bit of payback from the 31-25 loss they suffered in Coach Gill’s debut in Lynchburg.
09/20 vs Bryant
Bryant is a member of the NEC where they were 5-7 last season. They played some familiar opponents to FlamesNation in 2013 with losses to Stony Brook (21-13), Robert Morris (24-3), and Monmouth (21-18).
09/27 @ Indiana State
These are the type of games Liberty should look to schedule as long as they’re in the FCS to replace the Division II games. Indiana State plays in the MVC, home of 3-time champion North Dakota State. The Sycamores finished the 2013 season 1-11 and 0-8 in conference play. Their only win came against someone called Quincy. ISU had 3 consecutive winning seasons from 2010-2012, but in the 5 seasons prior combined for 2 total wins.
10/25 vs Gardner-Webb
Liberty has won 7 consecutive games against the Runnin’ Bulldogs including last season’s 24-0 shutout victory in Boiling Springs. There’s no reason to expect anything different in 2014.
11/01 @ Presbyterian
I’m not so sure the Flames will beat the Blue Hose as bad as they did in their last trip to Clinton where they won 56-7, but this should be another win.
11/08 vs Monmouth
A rematch of last season’s home opener where the Flames won 45-15; however, this game will have much more meaning with the Hawks being a member of the Big South in 2014.
11/15 vs Charleston Southern
I almost put this in the “toss-up” category, but it’s Charleston Southern. The Flames are 19-2 against the Buccaneers all-time including last year’s 56-14 drubbing of the top 25 Bucs. Liberty has won 9 straight over CSU by an average of 25 points per game.
Toss-ups
10/04 vs Richmond
This one should be fun. Danny Rocco’s return to Lynchburg. Will Liberty finally breakthrough with a win over an established in-state opponent?
10/11 @ Appalachian State
It’s not usual an FCS team plays an FBS team and it’s labeled as a “toss-up”, and maybe I’m being a bit of a homer. But the once proud Mountaineer program was just 4-8 last season including a loss at home to Charleston Southern. Sure, the Sun Belt bound Mountaineers will be better, but the Flames have proven under Turner Gill that they can compete with FBS competition (see: ODU, Kent State, Wake Forest).
11/22 @ Coastal Carolina
Season finale on the beach likely for all the marbles. The Chanticleers will be favored, but anything can happen when these two rivals meet on the gridiron.
Underdog
08/30 @ North Carolina
This will be Liberty’s toughest matchup with an FBS opponent in recent memory. The Tar Heels have already been ranked #17 in ESPN’s way too early 2014 top 25 and #24 in USA Today’s top 25.
Will Liberty finally break through and make the FCS playoffs in 2014?
