SMU vs. Liberty Prediction, Game Preview
SMU vs. Liberty prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Mustangs and Flames.
SMU vs. Liberty prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Mustangs and Flames.
SMU vs. Liberty Game Preview
When: Saturday, September 17 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas TX
TV Broadcast: ESPN3
After an opening win against North Texas, SMU ran into a buzzsaw in Baylor last week, losing 40-13. The star for the offense has been wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who has caught 10 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns so far in this young season.
Liberty recovered from an opening loss to Virginia Tech with a 55-7 victory over Jacksonville last week. The rushing duo of Todd Macon and Frankie Hickson combined for 244 yards and three touchdowns.
What To Know About SMU
Sutton has been the man for the Mustangs on offense. He currently leads the nation with 27.4 yards per catch. Quarterback Ben Hicks has definitely targeted Sutton, with only 100 yards passing going to other receivers. Hicks took over for starter Matt Davis after he went out with an ACL injury in the opener. He will miss the rest of the season.
On defense, the Mustangs will have to get more production out of their defensive line and linebackers as the top three tacklers all play in the secondary. Defensive end Justin Lawler has the potential to plug up the holes up front.
What to Know About Liberty
Liberty will lean on the rushing attack of Macon and Hickson to move the ball while….you know what? Let’s learn about Liberty University.
Facts:
– The Chancellor is Jerry Falwell, Jr., taking over for his father, who, if you don’t remember, once tried to sue Hustler Magazine.
– The school has more than 15,000 undergraduates on campus, and more than 100,000 online. Wow. Take that, Southern New Hampshire University.
– They are nicknamed the Flames.
– The endowment is $126 million. Wooh.
– They are members of the Big South Conference
Feel better? Me too.
Advantages
Offense: SMU. Just throw it to Sutton!
Defense: SMU. Lawler needs to finally play his game, though.
Special Teams: SMU. Kicker Josh Williams is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts.
Coaching: SMU. Chad Morris could be a rising star in the coaching world.
Intangibles: SMU. Getting a bowl game is the goal. The Mustangs can’t blow this one.
Matchup To Watch
Courtland Sutton vs. Liberty secondary
Can the Flames do what the previous two teams couldn’t and stop Sutton? I seriously doubt it.
SMU vs. Liberty Betting Odds
Spread: SMU -13
Over/Under: 62.5
SMU vs. Liberty Prediction
Coach Morris is trying to build SMU into a contender again, and do it this time without the help of Sherwood Blount (1980s reference). He has a stud in Sutton and will ride that as long as he can. SMU wins in a blowout.
SMU vs. Liberty Score Prediction: SMU 56, Liberty 10
