This is a series taking a look at the teams on Liberty’s 2023 schedule. It will be run over the next month, and we’ll start with Bowling Green, the Flames’ season opener.
When
Week 1, Sept. 2, 12 noon (CBS Sports Network)
Location
Williams Stadium – Lynchburg, VA
Last year’s record
6-7, 5-3 MAC (t-2nd in East)
Coach
Scot Loeffler, 13-29 in five years
Returning starters
13 (eight on offense, five on defense)
Post-Spring SP+ Ranking
They are 125th out of 133 FBS teams in Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings after the spring. They’re 101st on offense and 128th on defense.
Bowling Green story line
The Falcons advanced to their first bowl game since 2015 last season before falling to New Mexico State, 24-19 in the Quick Lane Bowl. It was a lot of progress for a Bowling Green team that has struggled to find consistent success. This year, head coach Scot Loeffler is hoping to build off that success and lead the Falcons to a second straight bowl game.
A Liberty win would mean
The Flames are heavy favorites entering the game, but there are a lot of question marks under a first year head coach. Meanwhile, Bowling Green has some continuity under Coach Loeffler and some confidence after last year’s bowl trip. The Flames are expected to win and doing so would set the team up to move toward a fifth straight bowl game.
A Liberty loss would mean
It could be devastating. Coming off four straight losses to end the 2022 season, followed by a coaching change and a lot of roster turnover, a home loss to open the season could dampen team and fan morale.
Up next
New Mexico State
