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The Liberty Flames take on the Delaware Blue Hens in Newark, Delaware, on Friday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Liberty is favored by -7 points on the spread with a moneyline of -280. Delaware, meanwhile, enters as a +7 underdog and is +230 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 50.5 total points.
Here’s my Liberty vs. Delaware prediction and college football pick for Friday, October 2.
Liberty vs Delaware Prediction
- Liberty vs. Delaware Pick: Liberty -7
My Delaware vs. Liberty best bet is on on the Flames to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Liberty vs Delaware Odds
| Liberty Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -105 | 50.5 -105o / -115u | -280 |
| Delaware Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -115 | 50.5 -105o / -115u | +230 |
- Liberty vs Delaware point spread: Liberty -7 (-105), Delaware +7 (-115)
- Liberty vs Delaware over/under: 50.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Liberty vs Delaware moneyline: Liberty -280, Delaware +230
Liberty vs Delaware College Football Preview
Liberty Flames Betting Preview: Things Are Coming Together
Liberty opened this season with a pair of rocky performances, as the Flames offense couldn't get anything going against a stout James Madison defense. The team also played very poorly at home against FCS Gardner-Webb, winning by just a single point.
However, back-to-back impressive performances against Ball State and Coastal Carolina have given this bunch momentum heading into conference play, where the Flames have an opportunity to make a statement against Delaware on Friday night.
The Liberty offense has found its rhythm, racking up 945 combined yards the last two weeks, including its best rushing performance of the season last week on the road at Coastal Carolina.
Kam Davis and Peyton Jones are starting to look much more comfortable with the design of the ground attack, and the play-action pass game is freeing up Makai Jackson, who has caught a touchdown pass in every game this season.
Quarterback Deshawn Purdie also threw the ball really well, and I expect another strong offensive performance against Delaware this week.
The defense has really done a nice job disrupting the flow of its opponents' offense while increasing the amount of pressure.
Over the last couple of seasons, the defense has been a serious liability for the Flames. This year, the defensive coaching has improved tremendously, and we've seen it play out in the second half of each game this season.
Liberty is allowing just 91 yards in the second half and has given up just 18 second-half points through four games.
Delaware Blue Hens Betting Preview: Backup QB on the Block
Delaware looked to take another step forward after transitioning from FCS to FBS football last season and had more success than anticipated, going 7-6 with a bowl game victory over Louisiana.
Preseason expectations were high with the return of quarterback Nick Minicucci, and many felt the Blue Hens could be a sneaky contender in CUSA this season.
With a 2-2 start, those goals are still attainable, but Minicucci’s health is the major driver. With him sidelined for some time, someone needs to step up and take control at the quarterback position.
The Delaware offense is built around Minicucci. He's a game-changing quarterback who can make all the tough throws while displaying the poise in the pocket necessary to lead scoring drives.
Backup QB Braden Streeter struggled badly last week after being thrown into action against Virginia, completing just 2-of-16 passes for nine yards with two interceptions.
Third-string QB Riley Trujillo was also called into action, but neither quarterback will be as effective as Minicucci, so the Delaware offense has to find creative ways to move the ball against the Flames on Friday night.
The Hens' run game has struggled this season, ranking toward the bottom of FBS in Rushing Success Rate and explosiveness.
Jo Silver is the feature back, and he's averaging just 51 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry.
Sean Wilson and Da’wain Lofton are the primary receivers who have combined for 550 receiving yards, but they're expected to be less effective with a backup quarterback leading the offense this week.
Delaware’s defense has improved this season, specifically against the run. The Hens are allowing just 2.9 yards per carry, but they're dealing with some injuries on defense and come into this one banged up.
The coverage unit has struggled with allowing explosive pass plays, which could be a problem against Liberty. The Flames excel in finding the downfield receiver in the passing game and should rack up explosives here.
Delaware played its worst defensive game of the season last year against Liberty, allowing 59 points on 8.8 yards per play, and the defense could struggle this time around as well.
Liberty vs Delaware Pick, Betting Analysis
This line opened with Liberty listed as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 50.5. Liberty has taken some money in the market, pushing this line to -7 in favor of the Flames. I like Liberty to win this game and cover the posted number.
Delaware was a mess without Minicucci in the fold against Virginia and now has to rely on Streeter or Trujilo to lead the offense.
This unit isn't going to experience the downfield passing success necessary to find scoring chances, and the Hens offense isn't successful enough to move the ball methodically.
Only 38% of Delaware’s offensive snaps have been deemed successful plays, ranking 115th nationally. Without the pass explosives, this offense has to rely on the ground game, which isn't efficient enough.
Delaware has converted just 33% of its third-down attempts, and the efficiency still wasn't there with Minicucci on the field. I expect a big drop-off with a backup quarterback leading the offense.
The Liberty ground attack is starting to really find success, and I expect some ground explosives for the Flames. Jones and Davis continue to develop in the system, and Liberty's quarterback play has also improved weekly.
Delaware has struggled when it comes to surrendering explosive plays, so I expect Liberty to score a lot of points in this game.
The Flames had their best offensive performance of the season last year against Delaware, and we should see a fully locked-in bunch on the road in the conference opener.
The Hens aren't talented enough to keep pace offensively, and the defense struggles to defend this rushing scheme. Look for Liberty to win this game and cover the number on Friday night.
Pick: Liberty -7
