When college football fans want a preview of the teams across the country, they turn to Phil Steele’s Football Preview.

In previewing Liberty in his 2024 College Football Preview Magazine, Phil Steele was high on the Flames and expect the team to have a repeat of last year’s success.

Liberty was picked 52nd out of the 134 FBS teams in Phil Steele’s Power Poll and 27th in his preseason top 40. His Power Poll is like a power rankings of the talent of each year’s team while his top 40 ranks where he anticipates each team will finish the season.

“The Flames went 13-0 vs a soft schedule and this year have QB Kaidon Salter and RB Quinton Cooley back and face the #134 schedule,” the magazine writes of Liberty. “They are 32-5 at home the last 6 years and face one tough team on road.”

The Flames’ quarterbacks, highlighted by Kaidon Salter, are ranked as the No. 15 unit among all quarterbacks in the country. Meanwhile, Liberty’s running backs unit ranked No. 4. Other noted position unit ranks include the offensive line at No. 29 and the defensive line at No. 45.

The magazine highlighted incoming NC State transfer WR/KR Julian Gray as a 4th team all-american at kick returner. 19 Flames are on the preseason All-CUSA team led by first teamers QB Kaidon Salter, RB Quinton Cooley, WR Treon Sibley, C Jordan White, OT Xavior Gray, DT Bryce Dixon, LB CJ Bazile, S Brylan Green, K Colin Karhu, and KR Julian Gray.

“(Chadwell) had just 8 returning starters (last year) but four of my sets of power ratings were calling for 10 wins and Chadwell blew away even those expectations with a 13-0 year and a CUSA title but that got them a Jan 1 bowl slot vs Oregon but they lost 45-6,” Phil Steele wrote in his preview of Liberty. “This year, they have 14 returning starters including dynamic QB Kaidon Salter and they are the clear favorite to win CUSA again and four of my 9 sets of power ratings call for another unbeaten regular season and that makes them a legitimate playoff contender.”

For more on Liberty and a full breakdown on all 134 FBS teams, Phil Steele’s 2024 College Football Preview magazine is now on sale.