Liberty Flames 2024 College Football Preview
Posted June 8, 2024
2023 Recap
Record – 13-1
ATS – 9-5
Yes, guy.
The Flames had a legendary campaign as they rolled thru the regular season like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE with a sparkling record of 12-0. They took care of New Mexico St (again) in the Conference USA Championship Game (W 49-35) and earned a spot in the FIESTA BOWL and a date with the mighty Oregon Ducks. Sadly, they were ripped to shreds in that contest (L 45-6), but keep in mind that Oregon was one of the best teams in college football last season.
Can the Flames turn the trick once more and find a way into the expanded College Football Playoff?
Liberty Flames 2024 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Flames were absolutely ridiculous on offense LY as they led the nation in rushing (293 YPG)(!) whilst being led by one of the most dynamic players in college football in QB Kaidon Salter (32-6 TD to INT; 1,089 rushing yards, 12 rush TD). Salter returns this season along with a loaded RB corps led by the devastating Quinton Cooley (1,401, 16 TD) and we expect big things from the ground attack once again in 2024. Star WR CJ Daniels is off to LSU (!) but they’ve still got the explosive Treon Sibley in the mix (20+ YPC LY). Keep your eye on Coastal Carolina transfer WR Tyson Mobley and other talented transfer specimens including Donte Lee Jr (Shaw) who just might be a star in the making. The Flames suffered some losses up front including LT Chase Mitchell (Vanderbilt) but they’ve still got a pair of returning starters in the unit. We’re confident that this potent offense loaded with skill position talent will be one of the best in the nation in 2024.
DEFENSE
Liberty wasn’t great on defense LY but they held their own stopping the run (#24 FBS, #2 Conference USA). They gave up a lot of passing yards (#116) due to their opponents almost always playing from behind but they were relatively efficient defending the THROW GAME thanks in large part to an impossible 21 INTs (#1 FBS). The Flames will be missing several key pieces from last year’s stop unit including LB Tyren Dupree who had more than TWICE as many tackles (123) than the #2 man on the list. The good news is that Liberty added some serious transfer portal talent to the front six that’ll complement returnees such as DT Jay Hardy, safety Quinton Reese, and DE TJ Bush who was an AA freshman in 2023.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Flames were an average bunch on special teams LY but they’ll have continuity in the kicking game with the return of punter Max Morgan and their inconsistent PK Nick Brown (5/10 FG LY, 65/66 XP). There’s a chance that transfer Colin Karhu takes over the PK duties but we’ll see how things go in fall camp. The rest of Conference USA can only hope that these guys don’t figure out how to excel in the return game (#93 PR, #55 KR LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Liberty had one of the easiest schedules imaginable LY and it’s BABY BLANKET SOFT once again in 2024 (#133 per Bill Connelly). For starters, they only have one challenging contest lined up in non-conference play (at Appalachian St) and that’s the toughest game on the entire schedule. They also get both of the main CUSA rivals at home (Western Kentucky, Jacksonville St).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Massachusetts (Nov 16)
This is a tricky spot for the road favorite as it comes after a conference road tilt with MTSU and right before the yuuuge home battle vs the Hilltoppers.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 8
Over 10.5 +100
Under 10.5 -120
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
That’s a sharp number, yo. It’s probably smooth sailing to the ‘over’ if they take care of business on the road vs Appalachian St, but if they lose that one, it’s very possible they lose another game at some point after having their playoff BUBBLE BURST right before their eyes.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Flames allowed just NINE sacks in fourteen games last season and that was the 2nd best total in the country. #1 you ask? Well, that would be the Oregon Ducks (5 sacks allowed) whom they faced in the Fiesta Bowl.
HC Jamey Chadwell has a career record of 52-23 (.693) with Liberty and Coastal Carolina and he’s an eye-popping 44-7 (!) since the 2020 PLANDEMIC season.
Liberty hasn’t had a losing season since joining the ranks of the FBS in 2018 and they’ve participated in five consecutive bowl games.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
This team is absolutely loaded and appear to be a MORTAL LOCK to participate in the CUSA Championship Game in December. They’ll be lighting up the scoreboard and the defense just needs to be ‘average’ and create some turnovers now and again for the Flames to hit double digit wins. Liberty is our PICK to CLICK in Conference USA ** but we have a sneaky suspicion that they’ll miss out on a playoff berth. In any event, good luck to the Flames!
** HOT TAKE alert