Entering the program’s first season under head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Liberty Flames are looking to get back to a fifth straight bowl game in 2023 while also competing for a Conference USA championship.
This is not a list of ranked teams in order on Liberty’s schedule. There are other factors like where the game is being played, where the game falls on the schedule, who the teams play the week prior and what is going on at the different schools. With that said, here’s a ranking of Liberty’s 2023 football opponents on this year’s schedule:
12. Nov. 18: vs UMass
The Minutemen just aren’t a good football team. Until they prove otherwise, this game will be penciled as a W for the Flames on the schedule as it has been the past several years. UMass does have a week off prior to making their trek to Lynchburg and two weeks ahead of the game they play against an FCS opponent. So, UMass should be fully rested and perhaps has a little bit of confidence from a win over Merrimack?
11. Sept. 2: vs Bowling Green
The season and home opener might be low on this list but that doesn’t mean it will be an easy win for the Flames. Bowling Green is coming off a 6-7 season where they advanced to a bowl game where the Falcons were competitive with New Mexico State. That’s not something Liberty can say about their matchup with NMSU last year. Bowling Green also beat Marshall and Toledo (the team that beat the Flames in the bowl game) last season.
10. Oct. 5: vs Sam Houston
Sam Houston has been one of the better FCS programs over the past several years, and they will look to carry that success over to the FBS and Conference USA. Liberty has an extended break prior to this game and the Flames should be hitting their stride under the new coaching staff and in a new system by tie the calendar turns to October.
9. Sept. 9: vs New Mexico State
We all remember how the game against the Aggies went last season, and hopefully the Liberty players that remain remember it as well. Liberty will be a favorite in the CUSA opener, but the Flames will have to play well, especially early in the season, to have the type of start the team hopes for.
8. Nov. 11: vs Old Dominion
The Monarchs have shown some improvement in recent seasons and nearly pulled off the win over the Flames in Norfolk last season. They will try to end Liberty’s win streak against them this season in Lynchburg.
7. Oct. 17: vs Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee shouldn’t be overlooked. They have been a very competitive program in CUSA the past couple of years and can pick up a win any given week. The Flames will also be coming off two very tough games with the trip to Jacksonville State the week prior.
6. Nov. 4: vs Louisiana Tech
Under head coach Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech is trending upwards and they will be a factor in CUSA maybe as soon as this year. This is Liberty’s next to last CUSA game and could be a pivotal game in the conference championship race.
5. Sept. 23: @ FIU
Liberty’s first road game in conference play comes in late September against FIU. The Panthers showed some signs of improvement, especially early in the year last season. With it still early in the schedule, the Flames could still be trying to figure out where all the pieces fit on the new look roster when making this trip to Miami.
4. Nov. 25: @ UTEP
After a two-week hiatus from conference play, Liberty will hit the road to play at UTEP. It will be a long trek out west for the Flames in the regular season finale. Will there be anything on the line in this game? Perhaps a spot in the conference championship game?
3. Sept. 16: @ Buffalo
The game at Buffalo is a sneaky challenging game. First glance at the schedule and this game, it could be easy to pencil it in as a W, but the Bulls have been a strong program the past few years. It will also be the first road game for Liberty on the season and still very early in the season as Liberty adjusts to a new coaching staff and schemes as well as several new faces on the field.
2. Oct. 10: @ Jacksonville State
If you’ve been a Liberty fan for any period of time, you know how bad Jacksonville State dominated Liberty in their home and home series a few years ago when both were still FCS members. Now, the Gamecocks make the move to the FBS and CUSA and should see plenty of success once their roster gets to the level it needs to be and that could be sooner than later. Oh yea, and this game comes just five days after Liberty’s previous game against Sam Houston Oct. 5. Tough turnaround.
1. Oct. 24: @ Western Kentucky
All eyes will be on this one as it is supposed to be between the two favorites in Conference USA this season.Having to play at the Hilltoppers this season will be quite the challenge for the Flames this season.
