Liberty is beginning to receive some national recognition as the Flames continue to put together an impressive 2026 season.
Following Saturday night’s dominant 49-10 victory over FIU, Liberty received votes in both major college football polls released Sunday afternoon. The Flames earned six votes in the US LBM Coaches Poll and also appeared in the others receiving votes category of the Associated Press Top 25 with four.
Liberty is now 7-1 overall and 4-0 in Conference USA play, having won seven consecutive games since its lone loss of the season to James Madison in the opener.
In the Coaches Poll, Liberty was one of 16 teams listed in the others receiving votes category. The Flames were joined by South Carolina, Florida, UTSA, Duke, Virginia Tech, Oregon, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, and North Texas, among others.
The AP Top 25 also included Liberty among its teams receiving votes. The Flames joined a group that included Oregon, UTSA, Virginia Tech, Duke, Northwestern, SMU, and Louisville, among others.
This is the most votes received in the Coaches Poll since Week 8 of the 2024 season, which was also the last time Liberty received votes in the Coaches Poll. The Flames were last ranked in either the Coaches or the Associated Press Top poll in the closing weeks of the 2023 season.
Liberty received votes in the AP Poll in the preseason poll in both 2025 and 2026.
Miami remained No. 1 in both polls, while Georgia moved into the No. 2 position following its win over Florida. Indiana, Utah, and UCLA rounded out the top five in the Coaches Poll.
Liberty’s appearance in both polls comes after the Flames have put together one of their strongest stretches of the season. Saturday’s 39-point victory over FIU was another statement performance, as the offense continued to produce while the defense limited the Panthers to just 10 points. The Flames have been particularly impressive in recent weeks, combining an increasingly productive rushing attack with a defense that has helped establish control in their last several victories.
With four conference games remaining, Liberty still has plenty of work ahead, but the national recognition is another indication of the progress being made under head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Flames will look to continue their winning streak as they pursue a Conference USA championship and keep their postseason aspirations alive.
