This is a series taking a look at the teams on Liberty’s 2023 schedule. We conclude it today with Liberty’s regular season finale at UTEP.
Previous:
Bowling Green
New Mexico State
at Buffalo
at FIU
Sam Houston
at Jacksonville State
Middle Tennessee
at Western Kentucky
Louisiana Tech
Old Dominion
UMass
When
Week 13, Nov. 25, 3:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Location
Sun Bowl – El Paso, TX
Last year’s record
5-7, 3-5 CUSA (t-7th)
Coach
Dana Dimel, 17-40 in five years
Returning starters
15 (eight on offense, seven on defense)
Post-Spring SP+ Ranking
They are 117th in Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings after the spring. They’re 108th on offense and 111th on defense.
UTEP story line
Dimel took over one of the worst teams in the country when he came to UTEP. He was allowed the time to build slowly and for the long haul, and the Miners have begun to show some progress. After consecutive 1-11 seasons to begin his tenure in El Paso, UTEP went 7-5 in 2021 and 5-7 last season. With four-year starter Gavin Hardison returning at quarterback, UTEP has their sights on competing for a conference championship in the new look CUSA.
A Liberty win would mean
This game comes so late in the year that it is difficult to project what the game could mean. It very well could have a spot in the CUSA title game on the line as many expect both Liberty and UTEP to be challengers for a top two finish. A win, on the road, would certainly help the Flames’ cause towards having a strong season.
A Liberty loss would mean
A loss to UTEP could cost the Flames a spot in the CUSA championship game, but we won’t know that until the calendar rolls over to November. This looks to be one of the more challenging games on Liberty’s 2023 schedule with the Flames having to travel so far against a team that is expected to at least challenge for a bowl game.
Up next
TBD
