Earlier this week, Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze announced his team would open the 2020 season on Sept. 19 at Western Kentucky and that the Flames were “close” to releasing the full, revised slate.

In an e-mail to Flames Club members on Monday, Associate AD/Executive Director of Development Mike Hagen said Liberty hoped to announce a completed schedule “later this week.”

In addition to the season opener at Western Kentucky, Liberty is currently slated to play three Conference USA opponents, including Florida International on Sept. 26 in the team’s home opener. Liberty is also supposed to host Southern Miss on Oct. 24.

Previously, the ACC has announced its revised 2020 football schedule, including all members’ “plus-one” opponent. Liberty was included in three of those games, all on the road – Oct. 17 at Syracuse, Nov. 7 at Virginia Tech, and Nov. 21 at NC State.

The Flames are also scheduled to host Sun Belt member Louisiana-Monroe on Oct. 10, who seems intent on playing a full 12-game schedule.

That’s 7 FBS games all but confirmed. Freeze mentioned the team is moving forward with plans for a 10-game schedule. All indications point towards Liberty playing two FCS opponents, particularly since the NCAA has approved FBS teams to count two wins over FCS opponents to count towards bowl eligibility this season.

Liberty was originally scheduled to face both North Carolina A&T (Sept. 12) and Western Carolina (Nov. 14) this season. The MEAC and NC A&T canceled all fall sports earlier this summer. The SoCon and Western Carolina did the same thing in recent weeks, with the caveat that league members could play up to four non-conference games in the fall. There hasn’t been any official word from the Catamounts on whether or not they attempt to play their scheduled game against the Flames.

Just last week, multiple sources confirmed Liberty was close to finalizing a deal with Big South member Gardner-Webb. That was until reports from Gardner-Webb stated the Runnin’ Bulldogs have “no plays currently” to play fall football.

On Tuesday, North Alabama, members of the Big South for football but fellow ASUN members with Liberty in all other sports, announced it would be playing a four game fall football season. The Lions announced games against Jacksonville State on Oct. 17, at Southern Miss on Nov. 7, and at BYU on Nov. 21. The school’s release also stated UNA “has a contract to travel to a third FBS opponent on October 3 but is not ready to announce that opponent yet.”

That date works perfectly for Liberty as it would be week 3 for the Flames and would slide into Liberty’s lost game originally scheduled to be played against Bowling Green.

Campbell currently has games scheduled for Sept. 12 at Georgia Southern and Sept. 26 at Appalachian State, leaving the Camels with two games they could still schedule this fall. Liberty has openings on Oct. 31, tentatively on Nov. 14 pending the Western Carolina game, and on Nov. 28.

Fellow FBS Independent BYU currently has 5 games scheduled and it is likely Liberty and BYU are working to help each other build a full schedule. The Flames and Cougars both have current openings for Oct. 31, Nov. 14, Nov. 28, and Dec. 5 if both teams want to push the conclusion of their season into early December.

With a 10-game schedule, Liberty would have to win at least 5 games to bowl eligible this season and could count two FCS wins, as mentioned.

Could North Alabama, Campbell, and BYU be the three opponents added to Liberty’s 2020 football schedule?