The Liberty Flames’ had an amazing 2020 season that will long be remembered in the record books. The Flames had a number of program firsts following a 10-1 season with two wins over ACC opponents and a top 25 ranking for much of the second half of the season, including a best ever ranking in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll of the season at No. 17.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly unveiled his preliminary SP+ rankings for the 2021 football season. These projections are based on three primary factors – returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history.
He has Liberty ranked No. 42 out of 130 FBS teams. This is up considerably from last year’s initial preseason rankings where the Flames were slotted at No. 105. The Liberty offense is projected to be the 25th best in the FBS while the defense is projected to be 68th. Those projections are up from last year’s preseason projection of 92 and 105, respectively.
Here’s a quick look at where Liberty’s 2021 opponents ranking in the preseason SP+ rankings:
N/A – Campbell
66 – Troy
120 – Old Dominion
95 – Syracuse
73 – Alabama-Birmingham
115 – Middle Tennessee State
126 – Louisiana-Monroe
106 – North Texas
129 – UMass
24 – Ole Miss
22 – Louisiana
72 – Army
With these rankings, how do you think Liberty’s 2021 season will play out? Do you think our early season projections are accurate?
