We finally have the revised 2020 Liberty football schedule, and here’s our very early 2020 football predictions for the Flames who will be looking to make a 2nd bowl appearance.
Week 1: @ Western Kentucky
Out of the Conference USA, the Hilltoppers finished 9-4 last season despite a loss to FCS Central Arkansas in the season opener. Their other losses came to Louisville, Marshall, and Florida Atlantic as they defeated Arkansas. They defeated Western Michigan in the First Responder Bowl later this month. The Hilltoppers are the preseason favorite in the CUSA by man. This will be a tough test on the road early in the year for the Flames, but it is a game that could go either way. We’ll give the nod to Western Kentucky at this point.
Western Kentucky 31, Liberty 17
Liberty’s record: 0-1
Week 2: vs Florida International
FIU will be the first FBS opponent to travel to Williams Stadium in 2020 and will be the second C-USA team Liberty will face during the year. The Panthers finished 6-7 following its 34-26 loss to Arkansas State in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl. Their best win of the season was over Miami FL. Former Miami head coach Butch Davis roams the sidelines for the Panthers. This will be a game Liberty needs to get to the 5 needed wins to go bowling.
Liberty 38, FIU 24
Liberty’s record: 1-1
Week 3: vs North Alabama
One of the brand new names added to the 2020 slate, the Lions finished 4-7 last season their first year playing a full Big South schedule as they transition from Division II. In what will be a very weird year, this will be UNA’s first game of the season. So, technically, they can already begun game planning for the Flames with about 6 weeks prior to the game.
Liberty 55, North Alabama 10
Liberty’s record: 2-1
Week 4: vs Louisiana-Monroe
UL Monroe finished the season at 5-6 and came just one point shy of making it to a bowl game as they fell to Louisiana, 31-30, in the regular season finale. They lost to Georgia Southern, 51-29. This is another game Liberty will need to win and may be the team’s most winnable game against an FBS opponent. ULM loses a ton of experience from last year’s team.
Liberty 34, ULM 17
Liberty’s record: 3-1
Week 5: @ Syracuse
The only game currently on the 2020 schedule where Liberty is playing an opponent for the second consecutive season as the Flames and Orange will get a rematch from the 2019 season opener that Syracuse won, 24-0. It’s safe to say Liberty’s offense will fare much better this season. This is the first of three ACC opponents on Liberty’s schedule, and with an additional year in Freeze’s system, Liberty will be much improved from last year’s game.
Syracuse 35, Liberty 24
Liberty’s record: 3-2
Week 6: vs Southern Miss
Southern Miss finished 7-5 in the regular season out of C-USA in 2019 and they will be probably the best team to visit Williams Stadium in 2020. The Golden Eagles have a strong tradition of good football teams. This will also be an interesting matchup for Hugh Freeze as its the first team from Mississippi he’s faced since he resigned from Ole Miss a few years ago and is also against his alma mater. We’ll give Liberty the win in a squeaker.
Liberty 27, Southern Miss 24
Liberty’s record: 4-2
*Liberty has a bye in week 7
Week 8: @ Virginia Tech
After starting a disappointing 2-2, the Hokies rebounded with wins in 6 of its next 7 games before a regular season finale loss at Virginia and a loss to Kentucky in a bowl game, finishing 8-5. The Hokies have their sights on returning to the top of the ACC Coastal and a top 25 team. This will be a tough matchup for the Flames, but Liberty does have a bye week prior to it and with likely reduced attendance the home field advantage won’t be as big a factor as it normally is
Virginia Tech 31, Liberty 17
Liberty’s record: 4-3
Week 9: vs Western Carolina
The 2nd FCS opponent for the Flames and it’s another win as Liberty becomes bowl eligible.
Liberty 51, Western Carolina 17
Liberty’s record: 5-3
Week 10: @ NC State
The third ACC opponent on the schedule for Liberty in 2020, it was supposed to be four until UVA was moved to a later date. The Wolfpack were 4-8 last season. The Flames will definitely have a chance to pull off this win, but we will give the nod to NC State.
NC State 34, Liberty 27
Liberty’s record: 5-4
*Liberty has a bye in week 11
Week 12: @ Coastal Carolina
A familiar name is added to Liberty’s 2020 schedule as the Flames and Chanticleers renew a rivalry from the teams’ Big South days. On paper, this is pretty close to a toss-up game and if it was being played in Lynchburg, the Flames would have the edge. Still, with likely reduced capacity, this game could go either way. We’ll give the nod to the good guys.
Liberty 26, Coastal 20
Liberty’s record: 6-4
