Two weeks into our playoff projections, some things are starting to take shape. With that said, Liberty fans have some definite rooting interests in this week’s games. Here are 10 teams Flames Nation wants to see lose this week to help Liberty’s at-large playoff bid hopes.
1. Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona vaulted themselves into an at-large spot with their big win over Eastern Washington. However, with only 5 D-1 wins and 2 games remaining, Northern has zero margin for error. A loss eliminates them from the 7 win club.
2. Towson
Towson will likely get to 7 wins, but how they do it will almost certainly determine their fate. A win this week against William & Mary puts them right in the mix for an at-large. A loss leaves the Tigers without a signature win going for win 7 against a terrible Rhode Island team.
3. Youngstown State
This is a big one. Youngstown State takes on North Dakota State on Saturday. A win puts the Penguins in prime at-large real estate, a loss eliminates them. Liberty needs the Bison to put YSU to bed.
4. Northern Iowa
Looking at the remaining schedule, Northern Iowa has 1-8 Missouri State and 3-6 Southern Illinois. Chances are the Panthers get to 7-4, and pick up an at-large bid, as they have some big wins. However, they can’t slip up if they want to get to 7. A Panther loss would be big for Liberty’s chances.
5. Eastern Kentucky
Losers of 2 straight, the Colonels are in danger of missing the 7 win threshold. Eastern Kentucky looked like a playoff team a few weeks ago, but a loss to Murray State this week would eliminate them.
6. Colgate
Colgate is still messing things up. At 4-0 in the Patriot, they will need to drop their last 2 games to lose the auto-bid. In all likelihood, a win against Lehigh makes the Patriot a 2 bid league this year. Ouch.
7. UT Martin
UT Martin keeps holding on, and if they win out, they will have a pretty good case for an at-large. A loss to Eastern Illinois in a de facto elimination game takes them out of play. In an ideal world, Martin loses this week along with Eastern Kentucky, then Eastern Illinois loses to Eastern Kentucky next week, eliminating all three from the 7 win club.
8. New Hampshire
The Wildcats jumped into the picture with an unexpected victory over Danny Rocco’s Richmond squad. They need to win out, but a 7-4 New Hampshire team will be in the conversation. Flames Nation will be hoping for an upset as the Wildcats take on 3-6 Albany Saturday.
9. Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas is sitting at 6 D-1 wins, with this week’s match up against 2-7 Nicholls State. Things are certainly tilted in the Bears favor on Saturday, but a loss would put them on very thin ice. An 8-3 Central Arkansas is a pretty good bet for an at-large, 7-4 puts them squarely on the bubble.
10. Montana
At one point in the season, Liberty fans would be rooting for the Griz. As one of the Flames’ best wins, Liberty fans would want the win to look good. However, at this point a loss eliminates Montana from contention for a playoff spot, and it’s going to come down to a precious few bids. Every power conference team eliminated helps LU now. Should Liberty win out, and that’s a big if, the quality wins will be there. A possible at-large bid will ride on what happens elsewhere in the country.
