Pinned
Link copied
Through 3 Quarters
The Liberty Flames were expected to win this one, and they are just one quarter away from fulfilling that expectation. After three quarters it's looking more and more like their high-powered offense is just too much for the Eastern Michigan Eagles as the Flames lead 49-10.
QB Malik Willis has led the way so far for Liberty, as he has passed for three TDs and 231 yards on 22 attempts in addition to rushing for two TDs and 58 yards. EMU has been riding high on the performance of RB Samson Evans, who has punched in one rushing touchdown.
Liberty's lead is the biggest they have had this year going into the fourth quarter.
Who's Playing
Eastern Michigan @ Liberty
Regular Season Records: Eastern Michigan 7-5; Liberty 7-5
What to Know
The Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Liberty Flames have had some time off and are no doubt ready to hit the field. Bowl season is underway, and EMU and Liberty will compete for postseason bragging rights in the LendingTree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium at 5:45 p.m. ET Saturday. Given that these two teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.
A win for the Eagles just wasn't in the stars three weeks ago as the squad never even grasped a temporary lead. Their painful 31-10 defeat to the Central Michigan Chippewas might stick with them for a while. QB Ben Bryant had a memorable game, but not in the way you want to be remembered: he passed for 221 yards on 36 attempts.
Meanwhile, the Flames received a tough blow three weeks ago as they fell 31-16 to the Army West Point Black Knights. A silver lining for Liberty was the play of QB Malik Willis, who passed for one TD and 305 yards on 46 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 32 yards.
EMU is expected to lose this next one by 9.5. Those burned by picking them against the spread three weeks ago might want to keep in mind that the team has not yet dropped back-to-back games against the spread this season.
A couple defensive stats to keep an eye on: EMU is 217th worst in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed, with 24 on the season. The Flames have had an even harder time: they are stumbling into the game with the 185th most rushing touchdowns allowed in the nation, having given up 18 on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 5:45 p.m. ET
- Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium -- Mobile, Alabama
- TV: ESPN
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds
The Flames are a big 9.5-point favorite against the Eagles, according to the latest college football odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Flames, as the game opened with the Flames as a 7.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
See college football picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
This is the first time these teams have played each other within the last six years.
