Liberty Flames vs
UMass MinutemenPredictions & Preview

Liberty Flames Set to Face UMass Minutemen in Highly-Anticipated Football Matchup at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium

On November 16, 2024, Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, MA, will host a highly-anticipated football game between the UMass Minutemen and the Liberty Flames, broadcast live on ESPN+. The Flames, coming off a strong victory against Middle Tennessee, are looking to showcase their offensive prowess and solid defense against the Minutemen, who are eager to finish their season on a high note after a recent setback. With Liberty favored to win by 14.5 points, fans can expect a competitive and thrilling matchup as both teams battle it out on the field.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Flames -610 | Minutemen +460
• Spread: Flames -14.5 (-110) | Minutemen +14.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 52.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Liberty will win straight-up is 86%.

Liberty vs UMass Stats

Liberty Flames

Liberty's football team achieved a significant victory against Middle Tennessee, marking their sixth consecutive year becoming bowl eligible. Led by Quinton Cooley's impressive rushing performance and Kaidon Salter's dual-threat abilities, the Flames improved to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in Conference USA. Defensively, Jerome Jolly, Jr. stood out with his performance, helping to limit Middle Tennessee to just 351 total yards. As they prepare to face UMass, the team is dealing with several injuries, but if they can navigate these challenges, they are poised to secure their seventh win of the season. In terms of rankings, Liberty is currently ranked 51st in power rankings, with their offense ranked 53rd and defense ranked 64th. Despite a 5-2 record, the team has struggled against the spread, going 1-6 ATS so far this season.

UMass Minutemen Analysis

The University of Massachusetts football team faced a challenging loss to Mississippi State, despite a strong start. The team showed resilience and standout performances from players like Brandon Campbell and Gerrell Johnson. Despite injuries to key players like Taisun Phommachanh, UMass will look to build on these positives as they continue their season. The team's top rushers and key stats were highlighted, but the absence of Phommachanh due to injury could impact their upcoming game against Liberty. UMass has a power ranking of 120 and is ranked #122 for offense and #103 for defense, with a record of 2-7. Liberty has a favorable recent record against UMass.

UMass Minutemen Struggle Offensively, Face Tough Challenge Against Liberty Flames

The UMass Minutemen have encountered significant challenges on offense this season, ranking 114th in Division 1 with an average of 330.7 yards per game. Their offensive performance is further hindered by their high number of penalties, totaling 70 penalties for 625 yards, which ranks them 20th nationally. With an average of 143.2 rushing yards per game and a low scoring average of 19.2 points per game, UMass ranks 121st overall in offensive production. Defensively, UMass is struggling to contain their opponents, allowing an average of 31.7 points per game and conceding 1,605 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns so far this season.

On the other hand, the Liberty Flames have showcased a strong offensive performance, totaling 3,539 yards with 13 passing touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns. Their impressive average of 242.4 rushing yards per game ranks them seventh nationally, along with a scoring average of 30.9 points per game. Defensively, the Flames have held opponents to 22.6 points per game and have been effective against the run, allowing only 3.9 yards per carry and 140.9 rushing yards per game. Considering these factors, betting on the Flames to cover the point spread against the struggling Minutemen would be a wise choice for this week's matchup.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ]