Since becoming a Division I FCS school, formerly known as the Division I-AA, Liberty has played a vast array of Division I opponents. Most of them at the FCS level, but some FBS teams as well. Several of the FCS opponents Liberty played in previous seasons, have made the move up to the FBS ranks.

As the Flames made the move up to the FBS, the number of FBS opponents Liberty has played has greatly increased. There are still more teams that the Flames have yet to play, but that number dwindles each year.

As Liberty transitions from an Independent to Conference USA, it will become more difficult to play several first time opponents, but there are some still on future schedules that the Flames can mark off the list.

Here’s a list of all FBS teams Liberty has yet to play:

ACC

  • Boston College
  • Clemson
  • Duke
  • Florida State
  • Georgia Tech
  • Louisville
  • Miami (FL)
  • Pittsburgh

It is surprising this list is so long as Liberty has frequently scheduled ACC opponents in recent years, but it has been the ACC schools that reside in nearby states such as Virginia and North Carolina. Duke is currently scheduled to play Liberty in a three-game series from 2025-2027. No word yet on if those games will be moved.

Big 12

  • Iowa State
  • Kansas
  • Kansas State
  • Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma State
  • TCU
  • Texas
  • Texas Tech

Liberty has played a few Big 12 opponents, including a win over Baylor in 2017.

Big Ten

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Michigan State
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • Northwestern
  • Ohio State
  • Penn State
  • Purdue
  • Wisconsin

It’s unlikely the Flames will match up with many of these teams in future seasons due to schedule availability and distance from Lynchburg.

Pac-12

  • Arizona
  • Arizona State
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Oregon
  • Oregon State
  • Stanford
  • UCLA
  • USC
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Washington State

Don’t expect to see a Pac-12 school on future Liberty schedules as they are all quite the distance from Virginia. It makes more sense for the Flames to play local P5 schools as opposed to having to fly to the other side of the country.

SEC

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • LSU
  • Mississippi State
  • Missouri
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas A&M
  • Vanderbilt

Hopefully the Flames will be able to add a few first time SEC opponents to future schedules in the coming years. At the same time, Coach Freeze and the football program wants to schedule P5 games that are winnable and many of these teams compete for national championships each and every year, meaning the Flames would likely be several touchdown underdogs against those schools.

AAC

  • Cincinnati
  • East Carolina
  • Houston
  • Memphis
  • Navy
  • Temple
  • Tulane
  • Tulsa

It makes perfect sense for a few of these schools to be targeted by Liberty as future opponents. East Carolina and Navy are short drives for fans and would be intriguing matchups. Cincinnatti and Houston will soon be moving to the Big 12 and it is unlikely the Flames will meet up with either.

Conference USA

  • Charlotte
  • Florida Atlantic
  • Louisiana Tech
  • Rice
  • UTEP
  • UTSA

Liberty will soon join CUSA, but several of the schools listed will be moving to a different conference before the Flames join. Louisiana Tech and UTEP will remain and will no longer be on this list.

Independents

  • Notre Dame

Liberty has frequently played other Independents since joining the FBS, and Notre Dame is the last one that remains. Athletic Director Ian McCaw has mentioned that the Flames and Irish have discussed playing in the future but nothing has materialized.

MAC

  • Central Michigan
  • Miami (OH)
  • Ohio
  • Western Michigan

Liberty has played several MAC opponents over the years but a few still remain.

Mountain West

  • Air Force
  • Colorado State
  • Fresno State
  • Hawaii
  • Nevada
  • San Diego State
  • San Jose State
  • UNLV
  • Utah State
  • Wyoming

Like the Pac-12, it is unlikely the Flames meet many of the teams listed here unless in a bowl game.

Sun Belt

  • Arkansas State
  • South Alabama
  • Texas State

Liberty has frequently matched up with Sun Belt foes in recent years and with much success. Texas State is currently on the schedule for 2024 but that game could get moved as the Flames move to CUSA.

Which of the teams listed do you hope Liberty plays in the near future?