Kickoff is approaching as we are less than two months away from Liberty’s season opener on Sept. 5 at James Madison. There are a few games that will help define Liberty’s 2026 season, here are our top three, in order of when they appear on the schedule:
Sept. 5 at James Madison
Liberty will open the season on the road against James Madison. The Dukes are coming off a trip to the College Football Playoff and have quickly established themselves as one of the top Group of Six programs in the country. They will be debuting their new head coach as the Billy Napier era begins. The Flames could quickly make a splash and build up some incredible momentum with a season-opening win on the road over their in-state rival. It’s a renewal of the “Battle of the Blue Ridge” and a win over a strong Sun Belt program would immediately change the national perception of the Flames after its disappointing 2025 season. Being the season opener, it also sets the tone for the entire year.
Oct. 21 at Kennesaw State
The Owls won the CUSA Championship last year and have beaten Liberty the past two times the programs have played, including the shocking upset two years ago in Kennesaw. That loss has sent the program in a bit of a spiral with Liberty posting a 7-12 record since then after opening the Chadwell era at 18-1. Now, the Flames will return there and may be the underdogs as Liberty looks to reclaim its mantle at the top of Conference USA. The Owls are expected to be a contender in CUSA once again in a game that could have direct championship implications.
Nov. 21 vs Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers are typically in the CUSA race late into the year most seasons, and they will make the trip to Lynchburg this season just ahead of Thanksgiving. This game could go a long ways in determining who plays for a conference championship just a couple weeks later. WKU has been one of Liberty’s biggest conference rivals since joining the league. This game could directly impact conference championship positioning and perhaps tiebreakers or home field advantage in the conference championship game.
