From Robert Morris to Virginia Tech, with stops in between to SMU and Coastal Carolina, the Flames’ 2016 football schedule was released Tuesday. Liberty will face 3 first-time opponents in Virginia Tech, SMU, and Jacksonville. Here’s how I rank LU’s 2016 football opponents 1-11:
1. Virginia Tech
It’s the Flames’ first-ever meeting with the in-state FBS team. The Hokies are replacing long-time head coach Frank Beamer with Justin Fuente, whose first game will be against the Flames on September 3rd. Virginia Tech finished 2015 with a 7-6 record in 2015, including a win in the Independence Bowl. The Hokies have made 23 consecutive bowl appearances.
2. Jacksonville State
It what will be one of the most anticipates games to ever be played at Williams Stadium, the FCS runner-up pays a trip to Lynchburg on September 24th. The Gamecocks finished 2015 with a 13-2 record after losing to North Dakota State in the FCS Championship game. Questions abound regarding JSU’s quarterback Eli Jenkins who was arrested on charges of domestic violence last month.
3. SMU
The Flames continue the recent trend of facing 2 FBS teams per season, as they head to Dallas to face Southern Methodist. The Mustangs struggled through 2015, finishing with a 2-10 mark and lost to James Madison. Senior quarterback Matt Davis, who led the team in passing and rushing in 2015, returns for his final season in 2016.
4. Charleston Southern
The Buccaneers broke thorugh in a big way in 2015, making the FCS quarterfinals in the program’s first posteason appearance. Jamey Chadwell’s squad finished ranked in the top 10 and will look to repeat as Big South Champions in 2016.
5. Coastal Carolina
For the first time ever, the Flames and Chanticleers will meet as nonconference opponents. Coastal Carolina will be an FCS Indepenent in 2016 and ineligible for the playoffs. De’Angelo Henderson is back for his senior season, but the Chants must replace quarterback Alex Ross. Former JMU head coach Mickey Matthews has been hired as CCU’s new defensive coordinator.
Liberty’s first Big South game in 2016 will be in Georgia against Kennesaw State. As a first year program, the Owls surprised many, finishing 6-5. Being a brand new program, Kennesaw only has 4 seniors they must replace.
7. Jacksonville
The Dolphins are a non-scholarship program which has seen a lot of success in the Pioneer Football League the last decade or so. They finished 2015 with a 9-2 record. Jacksonville had a one year postseason ban they faced in 2015 and forfeited 30 Pioneer Football League victories for financial aid improprieties.
The Hawks burned the Flames with an overtime victory last year. Monmouth finished the season at 5-6. They will enter their 3rd season as a Big South member in 2016 with the hopes of making a push towards the top of the league standings.
9. Robert Morris
This will be Liberty’s 3rd ever meeting with the Colonials, who upset the Flames in 2010 in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Robert Morris finished 4-7 last season.
10. Gardner-Webb
The Runnin’ Bulldogs ran all over the Flames last year on their way to a 34-20 upset win in Boiling Springs. Quarterback Tyrell Maxwell, who rushed for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns against Liberty in 2015, returns in 2016. Gardner-Webb finished 2015 with a 4-7 mark.
11. Presbyterian
Life in the Big South continues to be rough for the Blue Hose who finished 2015 with a 2-9 record. Running back Darrell Bridges and quarterback Ben Cheek return after productive campaigns last season.
