Liberty Flames are in action this Saturday and Flames nation could not be any more excited. Since the arrival of HC Hugh Freeze, the Flames are 26-11 with a three straight bowl victories in three years. The past two seasons Liberty has been put on the map with the remarkable play by former QB, Malik Willis.
This year is life after Malik Willis, so how will the Flames fare for the 2022-2023 season?
Liberty Flames Preview
The help from the transfer portal should make a huge difference right away – getting veteran QB Charlie Brewer. Brewer competed and won the QB over others like Kaidon Salter and Johnathan Bennett. The receiving corps should be stronger than last season. The running backs are all put together and the front five upgraded the talent in a huge way. Hugh Freeze is still at the helm and should have this offense exploding off the blocks.
The Flame defensive front got a whole lot better with Dre Butler coming in from Auburn for the inside to help TreShaun Clark on the end. A defense that will take all the help it can, only returning 50% of last year’s production ranking 118th. The five losses last season, the Flames defense allowed an average of 31 points per game.
Southern Miss Preview
Southern Miss will enter their first season in the Sun Belt Conference after an atrocious 3-9 SU season in 2021. Second year HC Will Hall will have a lot of experience returning, but may not be a good thing. The offense was dead last in tackles for loss allowed, turnovers, and one of the worst in the country in converting third downs. Not to mention, Southern Miss averaged just 266 yards and 18.0 points per game.
RB Frank Gore Jr. returns and will be the go-to back this season and will be accompanied by second leading rusher Dajon Ricard. Leading WR Jason Brownlee (46 catches, 8 TD) will also be returning. Although the starting QB was decided yesterday, Ty Keyes, there is a possibility of others playing. The defense was solid last season and will have talent returning as well. The emphasis should be mostly on the offense headed into this season.
Liberty v. Southern Miss Odds
- Spread: Liberty (-3.5)
- O/U: 49.5
- ML: LU (-175)
- FPI: Liberty 57.6%
Prediction: Liberty -3.5
Even with all the losses from last year’s Flames team, Liberty should be able to come to Southern Miss and grab a win on the road. I oddly do not see what Vegas is seeing only having the Flames a-3.5 favorite. Liberty should have the advantage in every aspect on the field.
I do not blame Vegas from one angle and that is the Flames on the road. The past two seasons, Liberty has six losses and four of them come on the road. Either way, Liberty should start off the season with a bang and I see the game going Liberty’s way 27-13. Go Flames!
