Following Liberty’s win over Campbell on Saturday to open the 2021 season at 1-0, the Flames continue to receive votes in the national top 25 polls. Liberty received votes in the Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the second consecutive week to begin the year.
In the Coaches Poll, Liberty received 78 points and 5th among others receiving votes, effectively ranking 30th. The Flames were also 5th among others receiving votes in the preseason poll while receiving 68 points. In the Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Flames received 57 points and are also ranked No. 30. This is up from the preseason poll of 36 but down from a ranking of No. 29.
The Flames are back in action this week, taking on their first FBS opponent of the season, as Liberty travels south to Alabama to face the Troy Trojans. Troy is 1-0 this season following their season opening win over Southern, 55-3.
Liberty 2021 opponent Ole Miss is ranked in both polls following their win Monday night over Louisville. The Rebels are ranked No. 20 in both polls. The Flames travel to Ole Miss for a game Nov. 6. Louisiana fell out of both polls after their loss to Texas this past weekend. The Ragin’ Cajuns are listed among others receiving votes alongside fellow Liberty 2021 opponents Army and UAB. Louisiana and Army received votes in both polls while UAB only appeared in the Coaches Poll.
Coastal Carolina and Virginia Tech are ranked in both polls this week with the Chanticleers coming in at No. 17 in the AP and No. 19 in the Coaches Poll. The Hokies are ranked No. 19 in the AP and No. 21 in the Coaches.
The Flames finished the 2020 campaign ranked in both major polls, checking in at No. 17 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. The team returns nearly every starter from a season ago including Heisman Trophy candidate Malik Willis.
Willis helped lead Liberty to a 10-1 record in the shortened 2020 season, ending the year with a dramatic bowl victory over Coastal Carolina. The Flames also had two wins over ACC foes in Syracuse and in-state opponent Virginia Tech. The two wins made Liberty the first non-Power 5 team to post a pair of wins over ACC schools in the same season since Houston in 2015. Liberty finished the 2020 campaign ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and No. 18 in the Amway Coaches Poll, the highest ever ranking for the Flames as an FBS program.
