Entering the program’s fourth season under head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Liberty Flames are looking to get back to a seventh bowl game in 2026 after missing bowl eligibility for the first time since the program moved to the FBS level in 2019.
This is not just simply a list of teams ranked in order of strength on Liberty’s schedule. There are other factors like where the game is being played, where the game falls on the schedule, who the teams play the week prior and what is going on at the different schools. With that said, here’s a ranking of Liberty’s 2026 football opponents on this year’s schedule, from least to most difficult:
12. Sept. 12: vs Gardner-Webb
Liberty’s home opener is Week 2 when Gardner-Webb comes to the Mountain. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are coming off a 7-5 season and will look to keep that positive momentum rolling forward. For the Flames, Liberty has been unblemished against FCS opponents since moving up to the FBS ranks and will be looking to keep that streak alive.
11. Oct. 8: vs Sam Houston
The Bearkats had a rough start to the Phil Longo era with a 2-10 campaign a season ago. In Sam Houston’s first year at the FBS in 2023, they went 3-9 before having a major turnaround in 2024 with a 10-win campaign. But, head coach KC Keeler left for Temple after that season and Sam Houston hasn’t been the same since. Can they show some improvement this fall?
10. Sept. 19: vs Ball State
Over the past 12 seasons, the Cardinals have had just one winning season – a 7-1 campaign in the COVID-altered 2020 season. Outside of that year, it has been a rough go for Ball State. Entering the second year under head coach Mike Uremovich, they will be aiming to get to a bowl game for the first time since 2021 but face a challenging non-conference schedule.
9. Nov. 14: vs Middle Tennessee
It’s been a pair of 3-9 seasons in the first two years under head coach Derek Mason, and it has many Blue Raiders longing for the days of long-time head coach Rick Stockstill. Can Mason and MTSU turn it around in year 3 this upcoming season?
8. Nov. 7: @ New Mexico State
The two seasons under former head coach Jerry Kill where the Aggies went 17-11 has proven to be the exception to what New Mexico State football is. NMSU has returned to the struggle under head coach Tony Sanchez winning 7 games total over the past two seasons. It is a long trip for Liberty heading all the way to Las Cruces, the longest trip in Conference USA for the Flames. Liberty has won all 4 games against NMSU since the pair joined CUSA in 2023, including a win in the team’s lone trip to New Mexico during that span.
7. Oct. 31: vs FIU
For the first time since Butch Davis was head coach of FIU, the Panthers posted a winning record as they went 7-6 under first year head coach Willie Simmons last year, advancing to the program’s first bowl game since 2019. Can Simmons keep the train moving forward? This game will be homecoming for Liberty in Lynchburg and the first game back on Saturdays after a month of midweek contests.
6. Nov. 28: @ Missouri State
The regular season finale could prove to be crucial in the Conference USA race. Missouri State went 7-5 and made it to a bowl game in the program’s first year in Conference USA and the FBS. It included a win over Liberty in Lynchburg. However, head coach Ryan Beard left the Bears after the season and is now at Coastal Carolina. Former SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods has taken over at Missouri State.
5. Oct. 2: @ Delaware
The Blue Hens have their eyes set on competing for a conference championship this year under head coach Ryan Carty. They went 7-6 last year in their first year in Conference USA. Nick Minicucci is back at quarterback for Delaware after a strong season in 2025.
4. Sept. 24: @ Coastal Carolina
There are loads of storylines entering this one as Jamey Chadwell returns to Coastal Carolina where he made a huge splash as a head coach and began to draw interest from Power Four programs. The Chanticleers are breaking in a first year head coach as former Missouri State head man Ryan Beard has taken over. This one is also on ESPN on Thursday night for a national TV audience.
3. Nov. 21: vs Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers have been part of the CUSA Championship picture most years in the recent past, and they look to do that again this fall. The Flames welcome WKU to the Mountain this November in what is likely to be a very pivotal game in the conference championship picture.
2. Oct. 22: @ Kennesaw State
The Owls had a major resurgence under first year head coach Jerry Mack last year, winning Conference USA and posting a 10-3 record. Can Kennesaw State keep that success moving forward? The Owls have also had a lot of success against the Flames in recent years.
1. Sept. 5: @ James Madison
Like most college football teams these days, James Madison has undergone a huge turnover in its roster from last year’s College Football Playoff team. Additionally, head coach Bob Chesney has moved across country to UCLA while former Florida head coach Billy Napier has taken over in Harrisonburg. Still, the Dukes have plenty of talent and high expectations for a program that has been a winner for a long time. It will be quite the test for the Flames in the season opener.
