Liberty football enters its third year in Conference USA. The conference itself underwent another change as it welcomes Delaware and Missouri State to the fold for the 2025 season. The conference is now at 12 teams and everyone will play 8 conference games, missing three league teams on the year. The CUSA members the Flames miss this season are Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, and Sam Houston.
With the 2025 schedule set, which matchups stand out for Liberty? Let’s dive into some superlatives to highlight the biggest parts of Liberty’s upcoming football schedule.
Best non-conference game: James Madison (Sep. 20)
This one is obvious. The Dukes are one of the top Group of Five teams most years and should be expected to compete for a conference title in the Sun Belt once again this season. JMU was 9-4 last year. They won the Boca Raton Bowl, defeating Western Kentucky, 27-17. This will certainly be a game to circle on the calendar this fall as the two former FCS rivals renew their rivalry for the first time on the FBS level.
Most favorable FBS matchup: Missouri State (Nov. 8)
Obviously, the most favorable matchup on the schedule for Liberty is FCS Maine in the season opener. However, the Flames also should be very heavy favorites in this CUSA clash in early November. The Bears are making the transition from the FCS to the FBS and will be first year members in CUSA. They were 8-4 last season and lost to Ball State, 42-34, in their only FBS game of the year.
Biggest home game (besides JMU): Kennesaw State (Nov. 29)
Honestly, the home slate isn’t overly exciting other than the JMU game in late September. An argument could be made for New Mexico State on Oct. 14, but we will go with Kennesaw in the regular season finale. Obviously, the Owls defeated the Flames last year, 27-24, in Georgia, and made some headlines across the country. Liberty will be looking to right that wrong and settle the score at home. Plus, with the game coming as the regular season finale, there could certainly be conference championship type implications involved.
Biggest road game: at Jax State (Sep. 6)
Coming in week 2, the Flames and Gamecocks renew their rivalry in Alabama. Jax State surprised many last year with a 9-5 record and 7-1 mark in CUSA play. They defeated Western Kentucky, 52-12, to win the CUSA Championship before falling into MAC Champ Ohio, 30-27, in the Cure Bowl. The first meeting for both teams in conference play will feature the last two CUSA champs and it could go a long way in determining who ends up at the top of the standings at the end of the season.
Most underrated matchup: at UTEP (Oct. 8)
Entering their last season in CUSA before moving to the Mountain West, UTEP appears poised to make a big jump in their second year under head coach Scotty Walden. The Miners were just 3-9 last season but had four games decided by 10 points or less. With a strong recruiting and transfer class incoming, UTEP and Walden will be seeking significant improvement in their overall record and competing for bowl eligibility and perhaps even a spot near the top of the conference standings.
