Liberty (4-4, 1-2) is set to face the Presbyterian Blue Hose (1-7, 0-3) on Saturday in Williams Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm.
Why Presbyterian can win this game
The Blue Hose have the 2nd best red zone defense in the conference, holding their opponents to scores on just 70.4% of their opportunities. Meanwhile, Liberty ranks last in the Big South in red zone offensive efficiency.
Sophomore running back Darrell Bridges is one of the top running backs in the Big South. He is 2nd in the league in rushing yards per game with 106.9. Bridges has scored 7 of Presbyterian’s 11 touchdowns this season and ranks 8th in the conference in total offense.
PC played both Coastal Carolina and Charleston Southern to one score games. Against CCU, the Blue Hose had an opportunity to force overtime at the end of the game, but they were unable to convert on a 4th and goal on the last play of the game. Presby has played Charleston Southern closer than any other FCS team this season, falling 10-7 in Clinton.
Why Liberty can win this game
The Flames are simply better than the Blue Hose. Liberty has won 6 straight since PC joined the Big South in 2009. The average score of these games are 39-15.
Presbyterian has one of the worst offenses in the Big South. The Blue Hose rank dead last in the conference in scoring just 11.9 points per game. They are also last in the league in total offense (225.1 yards per game) and time of possession. PC is equally bad rushing as they are passing the ball, as they rank 6th in the Big South in each category. They average just 90 yards passing and 135 yards rushing per game.
Liberty’s defensive line should be able to control the line of scrimmage on Saturday. The Blue Hose are last in the conference in sacks allowed and the Flames lead the Big South in sacks on the defensive side of the ball.
X-Factor for this game
The first quarter.
If Liberty’s offense is rolling in the first quarter, the Flames should have no problem dispatching the Blue Hose. In the 4 games Liberty has won this season, the Flames have scored 42 points in the first quarter, that’s an average of over 10 points scored in the first quarter. However, in the 4 games the Flames have lost, Liberty has scored just 3 points in the first quarter, that’s an average of less than 1 point scored in the opening 15 minutes.
