This Saturday, under the lights, #24 Liberty (2-1) plays host to #25 Bryant (3-0) in the first meeting of ranked opponents at Williams Stadium since 2011.
Why Bryant can win this game
They are battle-tested. Bryant has a road win against Stony Brook and knocked off previously ranked Maine, both CAA teams, already this season. Those 2 wins, coupled with their 3-0 start, has propelled them to their #25 national ranking in the Coaches’ Poll. When they come into Williams Stadium, they will be confident.
Bryant’s defense is stout. They have the 6th best scoring defense in all of FCS football, holding their opponents to 10.3 points per game. The Bulldogs have been remarkably effective on 3rd downs, ranking as the 3rd best defense in the country at keeping their opponents from converting on 3rd down. Josh Woodrum calls their front 7 “better than Norfolk State’s.”
Dalton Easton is the perfect game managing quarterback the Bulldogs need to go along with their nasty D. Easton has passed for 548 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception on the season. He is also a transfer from Akron, so he shouldn’t be intimidated by the stage or the crowd.
Why Liberty can win this game
The Flames’ biggest advantage could turn out to be Williams Stadium. Having moved up from Division II in 2008, Bryant has never played in front of a crowd as big as the one they will play in front of Saturday night. Bryant will also bus the 600 miles from Rhode Island to Virginia, leaving after practice on Thursday.
A more explosive offense. Bryant head coach Marty Fine defined this as “speed.” The Flames simply have more of it than Bryant. The Bulldogs have scored exactly 13 points in both of their games against FCS opponents this season. The last time Liberty scored 13 points or fewer at home against an FCS opponent? In 2009 against #6 James Madison on a rain-soaked night.
Josh Woodrum’s ability to test Bryant’s defensive secondary. Coach Fine said Woodrum is the best player he’s ever coached against at this level. Woodrum will be able to test their secondary deep unlike any other quarterback they have faced this season.
X-Factor for this game
Liberty’s offense, but more specifically the run game. Bryant held Stony Brook to 85 yards rushing and Maine to 126 yards rushing. If D.J. Abnar & company are able to consistently pick up solid chunks of yardage on the ground, the Flames should be able to move the ball and put up more points on the board than Bryant.
