Today, we continue our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2026 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of hoping to get back to another bowl trip and potentially a second CUSA championship as fourth-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team for the upcoming season.
Previous:
James Madison
Gardner-Webb
Ball State
Coastal Carolina
Delaware
Sam Houston
Kennesaw State
FIU
New Mexico State
Now, we turn our attention to Liberty’s game against Middle Tennessee.
Middle Tennessee
• When: Saturday, Nov. 14 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg (3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
• Last year’s record: 3-9, 2-6 CUSA (t-9th)
• Coach: Derek Mason, 3rd year at MTSU
• 2026 SP+ ranking: 135
• Series History: Liberty leads, 3-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 9, 2024: Liberty 37, MTSU 17
Liberty rushed for 339 yards to propel itself to a win at MTSU to snap a two-game losing streak and clinch bowl eligibility. Quinton Cooley paced the Flames with 136 yards and 8 touchdowns. Kaidon Salter completed 11 of 15 passing attempts for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for 94 yards and a score. Juju Gray had a breakout game with 57 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.
Program History:
National Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Conference Championships: 2 (at FBS level)
Bowl Record: 4-6
Last Bowl Appearance: 2022 Hawaii Bowl, 25-23 W vs San Diego State
Derek Mason should be hitting his stride at MTSU as he enters his third year. The team was better than their final record indicates last year with three losses coming by three points or fewer. Nicholas Vattiato was injured late in the year in 2025, but Roman Gagliano took over and ignited the offense. The Blue Raiders won the final two games of the season behind Gagliano as the offense put up 29.3 points and 487 yards per game with him leading the way. He threw for over 1,000 yards with 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. If he matches his finish from last year, he should have a big season and MTSU could be fighting for bowl eligibility. The running backs should have plenty of depth behind DJ Taylor, Terrence Brown, and Antonio Martin. Martin rushed for over 1,200 yards in the FCS in 2024 before transferring to Kansas State and now at MTSU. Only four starters return on defense as MTSU will be trying to piece it together on that side of the ball.
What’s at Stake?
The Blue Raiders have struggled to maintain relevance in CUSA in recent seasons. Playing them at home, Liberty must win. Going into the season, this one Flames’ fans would all pencil into the win column and would certainly need to pick up if the team is going to compete for a conference championship
